He is not the only batsman in history to struggle to articulate just why the ball is suddenly speeding from the middle of his bat.
As far as he is concerned, he is not doing anything differently.
"I don't actually know the answer to that question," the 29-year-old replied.
"I don't feel like much has changed, really. Perhaps it is the fresh faces in the team and the buzz around the group - maybe that helps. I don't know.
"There is no real magical formulae. Last year there were a few tough times and perhaps it is paying off with the hard work I was doing back then.
"I'm just trying to treat each game as a new challenge and not get caught up in my form or caught up in scoring runs.
"Yes, I've scored some runs but I'd like more. I've definitely left runs out there, so I'm still trying to be as hungry as possible for more runs."
The left-hander has been in magnificent form. He has posted four hundreds in the various formats this season, including one for New Zealand A.
He made a terrific start in the Super Smash on Sunday with a rapid half century to help his side post a five-wicket win against Canterbury at the University of Otago Oval on Sunday.
And at the moment every dismissal comes as a complete shock. He is just timing the ball so well and controlling the tempo of the game when he is at the crease.
His form is reminiscent of the golden run he enjoyed in the leadup to his selection for the Black Caps test side in 2013.
He made one of the more stunning test debuts with an astonishing innings of 171. But his form dipped and Rutherford played the last of his 16 tests almost four years ago.
The selectors have been back in touch as the Otago opener has continued to impress.
"I've heard from [the selectors] whereas in the last few years I haven't, so you know you are doing something right.
"Obviously Will Young is ahead of me at the moment but I think I'm not far off behind that."
The Volts have dragged their form from the one-day tournament in to the Super Smash. They play Wellington at the Basin Reserve today and the venue has not been kind to Otago recently.
However, Rutherford pointed out Wellington's recent twenty20 record at the ground was far from impressive as well.
"It has not been a happy hunting ground for us ... but their record there in twenty20 isn't great. They've actually only won three of their last 12 games.
"But they are a good side and they play some good consistent cricket. They are top-heavy in the batting line-up and they have a couple of threats in the bowling.
"Obviously Hamish Bennett is at the top of his game at the moment and Jeets [Jeetan Patel] is an old campaigner."
The Volts have made a couple of changes. English import Ben Cox has arrived in the country and replaces wicketkeeper-batsman Mitch Renwick in the line-up.
Matthew Bacon returns after being overlooked for the first game, while Tom Beaton drops out of the 12.
