Faith goes both ways in top sport and there will be plenty of Highlanders seeking to repay some of their coach's faith tomorrow night.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has resisted mass change to his misfiring side, with a loose forward reshuffle the only team selection of note for the Super 14 game against the Lions at Carisbrook.
Alando Soakai drops out of the line-up that was beaten 30-16 by the Sharks, with rising Southlander John Hardie moving from the blindside to the openside.
All Black Adam Thomson, one of the few who played consistently well last weekend, shifts from No 8 to his more natural blindside position, with Steven Setephano returning to the starting XV at the back of the scrum.
Moore said Soakai had been given the week off to recharge.
"Alando's had a massive workload.
"He's played in every game and every pre-season game and been banged around.
"We're lucky we've got three quality sevens in the team, so it's a good opportunity to give him a rest.
"I've been really pleased with John Hardie.
"He's growing week by week and he'll just get better and better."
The Highlanders are still without No 8 Nasi Manu (knee) and All Black lock Tom Donnelly (ankle).
Rookie first five-eighth Robbie Robinson, who had a mixed starting debut against the Sharks, has been bracketed with Mathew Berquist.
Robinson has a minor injury but is expected to be fine to start.
"We had a wee niggle with Robbie but I don't think it's going to be anything dramatic," Moore said.
"We wanted to have a look at that 9-10 combination of Robbie and Jimmy [Cowan], and there were some good signs there.
"We want to give that combination some continuity."
Moore is undoubtedly feeling some pressure as he regards a record of one win from six games and a placing of 12th, and as some start to question whether his third year in the job will be his last.
But he is sticking to his game plan and effectively the same side that lost to the Sharks, and is confident the Highlanders will soon turn endeavour into execution.
"I believe in those guys, like I believe in all the guys in the squad.
"I think it's a very capable unit.
"I said to them today that I want them to do this for themselves.
"They deserve a good result," Moore said.
"It comes down to decision-making at crucial times, and if we can get that right we will be fine."
The Lions arrive in Dunedin this afternoon and may be bolstered by former captain and Springbok loose forward Wikus van Heerden.
After securing an early release from English club Saracens, van Heerden was scheduled to rejoin the Lions this week.
Highlanders v Lions
Carisbrook, tomorrow night
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Kenny Lynn, Michael Hobbs, James Paterson, Robbie Robinson or Mathew Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, John Hardie, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, Tim Boys, Sean Romans, Jason Shoemark, Fetu'u Vainikolo.
