Aaron Smith is adamant it won't be difficult to come off the high of the All Blacks' Test series victory when the Highlanders face the Chiefs in Dunedin in a clash between two desperate Super Rugby sides.
Smith has played in all 13 games for the Highlanders this year and also appeared in all three Test wins over England.
But the chirpy halfback believes he can fire up again after the intensity of the series against the English.
"The boys are excited about Friday night and that helps my own energy levels," he said.
"It was probably harder going from the Highlanders to the All Blacks than vice-versa as the Highlanders have been together for six months."
Smith, who has played 29 Tests and 57 matches for the Highlanders, said his aim this year had been to focus on his own game rather than try to do too much himself.
"The media have been pretty up-front about how average I was for the Highlanders last year so there was a bit of fuel to the fire," he said.
"I've just gone back to the basics and tried to keep it fairly simple."
The Chiefs are the two-time defending champions, but are back in eighth spot, although only three points below the fifth-placed Highlanders, and Smith said they represented an exceptionally difficult challenge.
He said it would be like playing a fourth Test in a row.
"It will be a thriller," he said.
"It always is. There are two teams who like to throw it around in what is the best stadium in New Zealand."
Against England, Smith was playing inside his great mate, Aaron Cruden. Now they'll be rivals.
"You never like playing your mates but you get used to it and it's always interesting and gives it that fun factor," Smith said.
"There's always a bit of banter and chatting, and the occasional tug of a jersey!"
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