The defending champion was well beaten, 46-19, by a powerful Dunedin team at Bishopscourt on Saturday.
Despite the heavy loss, co-coach Andy Hunter was upbeat about his side’s prospects.
"We are still finding our feet at the moment," Hunter said.
"We’ve had a fair turnover in players so I’m happy enough with how we are tracking. But it is still early season for us and we are trying to get all of our systems embedded amongst our new players."
The team has been stripped of some significant talent with classy backs Tony Ensor and Jayden Spence plying their trade in France. Experienced loose forward Paul Grant is in the United Kingdom, and fellow loosie Lee Allan has retired.
"The challenge is for other people to step up and show that they have the ability to take those places. We are working really hard on that at the moment."
The foursome made a telling major contribution to Kaikorai’s successful campaign last season. The team won nine consecutive games to win the title and started this season with a 23-9 win against a much-improved Zingari-Richmond before coming up against a formidable Dunedin pack.
Promising loose forward Slade McDowall has been sidelined with an ankle complaint and will miss the game against Harbour at Watson Park tomorrow. But he should be fit for the round five match against Taieri.
"He is a quality young player and someone we are looking forward to getting back."
Lock and captain Blair Tweed has been a standout for Kaikorai in its opening games, and rookie No8 Patrick McCurran has made a good impression in his first few outings at premier level.
Hunter felt Harbour would present a stern challenge for his team. The Hawks have some very elusive players in the backline and also possess a physical forward pack.‘‘They are a team with some real balance. I guess our focus is on a full team performance.
"If we play to our capabilities, I hope we can come away with a good result."
Hunter has been happy with Kaikorai’s set pieces but it will need to "hold on to the ball for longer and put teams under more pressure" when it attacks.