The likes of props Tyrel Lomax and Ayden Johnstone and locks Josh Dickson and Pari Pari Parkinson have contributed in strong performances by the forward pack, though it has not paid off in the win column for the side.
Hammett said the efforts of his young forwards was a real highlight of the season so far.
"I think that has been a real shining light this year. We have got a young group so we are still searching for ultimate consistency. But really, when you look at them, it is a pretty young group and it is starting to develop very nicely at lineout time in defence and in attack,'' he said.
"But we know because we are a young crew and if we don't get our mindset right, and we get too far ahead of ourselves, then we are in trouble.
"We know we are up against one of the best forward packs in world rugby this week so it is a really big challenge for us - a great benchmark for us.''
He said the young players were jumping out of their skins but player loads had to be carefully managed.
"At times we have been right on that knife edge and now we are midway though this competition, and we are going to have to be smart in managing that as every player is different. It is not like 'here is five young players, we have to treat them the same.' They are all different and have different playing loads. It is more mental than physical.''
The Crusaders will be a big test for the Highlanders but Hammett was wary of making the opposition seem at a whole new level.
"Every team is made up of humans. It is our job as a coach to work out how to put pressure on their team.''
Despite the loss of key players such as Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo there was still a lot of experience in the side, Hammett said.
No-one had been formally called into the squad over the weekend after injuries to backs Marty Banks and Richard Buckman.
Hammett was looking forward to the battle in Christchurch.
"It is a great challenge against the Crusaders because they are the trendsetters at the moment. They are leading out - always great to play the best so we are going to have to be on our game.''
The match would be Ben Smith's 150th game for the Highlanders. That was a a big incentive for the side to perform well, Hammett said.
"It is massive for Ben. He is instrumental in everything we do every week. . . just what he does off the field. He is hugely optimistic. He is getting a bit older but he is still out the front every training.
"We love him here, the fans love him and he loves the area. It will be awesome to put on a great display for him.
Asked for an example of what made Smith special, Hameett said he was just a great leader.
"He just wants to win everything - does not matter what it is, the smallest game or the biggest game and he wants to win it. He is not arrogant or angry about it. It is just built in. And because he is like that, the others around him just feed off him.
"He keeps really good perspective and does not let emotion take over, just always looking at the next action and next job to get done. He is a guy who leads by example. He will be the last one out there. A guy happy to catch a ball off a young guy at training - that is Bender.''