After two weeks of rigorous mental and physical testing, the Highlanders know the reputation is justified.
"I won't know the effects of the last two weeks until we start playing rugby games," Joseph told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"But there are certainly promising signs."
Joseph deliberately tested his players by getting them to break through barriers during his tough training sessions in their pre-Christmas camp.
"They were mental and pain barriers designed to extend their mental toughness, " Joseph said.
"It was longer and harder and unrelenting. The guys had to keep getting up. It was meant to be tiring."
Joseph avoided boredom for the players by utilising the varied training facilities that Dunedin offers.
"We have been training on the beaches, we have been training on the harbour and we have done rugby training," he said.
"I have been getting the players to rely on each other as they were getting fit."
A number of the Highlanders came to the camp with niggling injuries.
Some players are still recovering from operations that were necessary after the ITM Cup.
"We have more injuries than I would have liked or expected at this time of the year," Joseph said.
"It has put more pressure on us as a team. Hopefully, it will all be done and dusted by the time we return in January."
The most serious injury concerns New Zealand sevens player Kurt Baker, who has a lower spinal fracture.
"He will have a scan when we return in January," Joseph said.
"He is the only player at risk of not playing at the start of the Super 15 season."
The Highlanders have three warm-up games, against the Blues (Balclutha), Chiefs (Taupo) and Crusaders (Oamaru).
Joseph knows it is his job to manage the schedule to get the best performances from his team.
"We've got byes at the right time of the year in week six and week 14," he said.
"We have split the season into three blocks because of that.
"We don't have as much depth in terms of expertise at this level compared with other Super teams. But the young guys bring a lot of energy. It will be a work in progress for us."
Since arriving in Dunedin, Joseph has sensed a lot of hope and expectations from the public, who want the Highlanders to do well.
"That is exciting but it is also a stiff challenge," Joseph said.
"The guys understand that and are putting in the effort. It is looking positive. Whether it will be enough I'm not sure."
Joseph, a family man, had his children with him yesterday as he went through a busy day talking with players about his expectations for them.
It was active chaos as the players came in for their interviews and the management staff settled into their new headquarters at the back of the University Oval grandstand.
Joseph will travel to his home town of Blenheim to spend Christmas with his mother.
