From South African size to New Zealand subtlety – the Hurricanes reckon their Super Rugby season takes a new direction on Friday.

Their game against the Highlanders in Dunedin is their first against Kiwi opposition this season, having played three South African teams and one from Australia in their sluggish start.

Hammett hopes their first win of the campaign, 60-27 over the Cheetahs in Wellington on Saturday, marks the start of a revival.

Despite winning, he says a new approach will be implemented this week in their first of eight New Zealand Conference games.

“We know the Highlanders are technically very good, and that’s what allows them to be so physical, whereas your Africans are more just horsepower and size. If you’re not ready for that you can be tripped up,” he said.

Hammett says it is a fallacy to say the Hurricanes ended their eight-match losing streak – dating back to last season – by returning to a running rugby style against the Cheetahs.

He says their nine-try performance came about through improvements to their forward effort and a large reduction in the mistake rate that had cost them against the Sharks, Stormers and Brumbies.

“We actually didn’t play a wide game – we ultimately managed to score tries through quite a physical close game before we did go wide.

“We think we’ve worked hard and we’ve got the plan that can and will be successful.”

Hammett noted games at Dunedin’s indoor stadium tended to be open affairs and it is important not to get sucked too deeply into helter skelter rugby.

They won on both of their previous visits at Forsyth Barr, by six and four points.

“The two games down there, the ball seems to be in play a heck of a lot. It’s just a very different atmosphere, there’s music and it’s like playing on a training pitch for some reason,” he said.

“There seems to be a lot of counterattack, a lot of quick throws. It’s a really good venue to play at but you can’t be tricked by it either.”

Hammett had confidence that starting openside specialists Ardie Savea and Jack Lam together could be successful.

He said Samoan international Lam is under instruction to use his physicality to play more of a conventional blindside role.