It is just 29 days until the Highlanders play their first pre-season game against the Crusaders in Weston, and 44 days until they host the Blues in the opening round of the competition.
But while Dermody acknowledges the new season does tend to sneak up on people, the new head coach points out the luxury of having a full pre-season uninterrupted (mostly) by Covid means things are moving at normal pace.
"It comes up fast but it’s actually been quite nice having a bit of time with our younger guys, especially before Christmas, because we haven’t had that for a couple of years.
"We’ve pretty much just had three weeks of training then straight into games the last couple of years because of Covid.
"It can be done, but it’s nice to be able to get a bit more work into the boys, and take things a bit slower."
Speaking of the virus, Dermody had to take things slower himself last month.
He tested positive right before the Highlanders headed to Te Anau for their camp.
"It was the culmination of our pre-Christmas campaign so it was a real shame to miss it.
"But I got to see plenty of photos and video, and it looked like the boys had an awesome time down there, so that kept me going," he said.
There has been a lot of fun and games to go with the hard conditioning work in the gym and outside.
But the coming weeks will involve more of a laser focus on how the Highlanders hope to actually play the game.
It will also be important to reassimilate the likes of Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Ethan de Groot — the Highlanders’ three All Blacks are technically on leave for another couple of weeks — and All Blacks XV players Josh Dickson, Andrew Makalio and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, as well as new captain Billy Harmon, a late replacement on the All Blacks tour.
The big guns might not be on duty yet but they are regularly seen around Highlanders headquarters.
Indeed, rising prop de Groot can barely stay away, judging by the images the team regularly posts on social media.
"He’s just hungry," Dermody said.
"He had a really good finish to the year with the All Blacks, and he wants to make the year ahead — a World Cup year — a really good one.
"He’s just been coming in and doing conditioning with the boys. Sometimes it’s easier to do it with somebody else than just by yourself, so they come in for some conditioning games and some work in the gym. They seem to enjoy it."
There are almost as many new faces in the coaching staff as in the squad, and Dermody is pleased with how his support crew is developing.
New coaching mentor Chris Boyd was with the squad for the Te Anau camp and will be with them again for their second pre-season game, against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown on February 17, and the opener against the Blues.
"I’m enjoying what Boydy is offering," Dermody said.
"He highlights areas that have potentially been overlooked, and asks good questions that make you think about what you’re doing and how things are going."
