Assistant coach Mark Hammett is the only one remaining from the coaching team of 2017, Tony Brown (Japan), Scott McLeod (All Blacks) and Jon Preston (resigned) all having moved on.
Hammett, now into his second year as forwards coach, said it had been a relatively seamless transition.
``I just think how we do things and with our structures we are very, very clear. There was change coming and we knew it early. We wanted to make sure the transition was smooth and there was not a lot of change for the players,'' he said.
Aaron Mauger has come in as head coach, Glenn Delaney is the defence coach and Cory Brown is the high performance coach.
Hammett said knowing Tony Brown was moving on early helped the change of coaches.
``I think the handover from Browny to Azza [Mauger] was outstanding. He [Mauger] spent two to three weeks in the environment. Plus the same leaders are here.
``There is a lot of continuity within the environment. So in terms of that, you would not have noticed a lot of change. But the sport keeps going. Every team has changes around the edge.''
The side is preparing for the Blues in the season-opener on Friday night.
Pre-season had gone well. But it was exactly that - far from the real thing.
Hammett said the bulk of the Blues had been together for a couple of years under Tana Umaga and were a close group.
He was expecting plenty of fire from the Blues, but the Highlanders were ready.
``We have got through a lot at pre-season. We have connected with the whole group. Obviously they come together at different times but we knew that. I think we have prepared well and are ready for Friday night.''
The only major injury concern that has emerged in the past couple of weeks is utility back Richard Buckman.
The versatile Buckman has aggravated an old neck injury.
Hammett said the side would wait for three weeks and get the injury assessed then. So it was a wait until March to see how long Buckman would be out.
Hammett said, in reality, with the intensity of the competition, the chances of a player not missing a game was remote.
``There are going to be those long weeks and then those short weeks. So we are going to have to plan round that,'' he said.
``Some weeks we will have a lot of intensity around our trainings while other weeks it will be more around clarity and making sure we are right making the weekend.
``But it is very, very unlikely, someone will play in every game. Someone might, but not likely.''
Hammett said co-captain Ben Smith was looking good for the season after the All Black fullback took a sabbatical over the past few months.
``The thing about Ben is he loves the team. It is No1. So everything he says, is what is good for the team - he is very selfless. Nothing is for him. It is all about the team.
``He has been great. Those few weeks before Christmas with a new group, who are new to the team and culture, was brilliant. And for him personally, I know that he has done PBs. He is in good nick.''