Training at the luxurious Jack's Point in Queenstown, Moana Pasifika concede things could certainly be worse.
"You certainly won't hear us moaning about being in Queenstown," says defence coach Dale McLeod.
But it's tough to mask the early-season headaches.
A COVID-19 outbreak in the squad forced the postponement of their first two games, before the Hurricanes had to do the same last week.
With the Highlanders the latest to have cases emerge, Moana Pasifika now risk a fourth postponement in five games.
"It's challenging," says former Wallabies international Christian Lealiifano. "Challenging for a lot of teams and people, but the focus for us is trying to prepare as if we are playing every week."
So far, they've only been able to do that once and their ongoing schedule changes mean they'll have to play three games in eight days later this month.
Fortunately, they're leaning on each other to get through.
"The more time we get together and help each other through on the mental side has been important," says Lealiifano. "We're trying to reach out where we need to and offer support where we can."
But Moana Pasifika won't let the ongoing setbacks define their season. A brave effort against the Crusasders showed they could more than match it at Super Rugby
"I think the boys were just keen to smack someone else, instead of smacking each other," says McLeod.
They're now hoping their chance to "smack" the Highlanders on Friday won't be the next taken away.
Join us at 7pm Friday for live updates of the Moana Pasifika v Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific clash
