The critics may have given up on them already and their fans may be close to following suit, but be assured of one thing - the Highlanders players are a long way from throwing in the towel this Super 14 season.

That's as it should be, of course, but it's reassuring to hear Highlanders No 8 Steven Setephano talking the talk ahead of Saturday afternoon's clash against the in-form Western Force in Queenstown.

Given the way their season has panned out thus far, it would have been easy for the heads to start dropping down Dunedin way. A combination of bad luck, shocking officiating and poor skills has seen the Highlanders lose all four matches played prior to last weeeknd's bye (the joke inevitably doing the rounds was that it was their best performance of the campaign)

But - and get this - they have not been beaten by more than seven points in any of their outings so far and can make the case that, had the bounce of the ball gone their way, they could be 4-0 instead of 0-4 right now.

Their last outing against the Hurricanes at Carisbrook was a classic case in point. They lost the match 10-6, but it was almost inconceivable that they did so. That night the hard-working Highlanders forwards won between 70 and 80% of the possession and territory, yet the team gifted the match to the visitors with a series of ill-conceived decisions and abysmal pieces of execution.

Setephano has been one of the standout individuals through this tough opening month and when he spoke to RugbyHeaven from Dunedin there was absolutely no doubt that the fight still remained in the men from the south.

"It was good after those four narrow losses to have a break and get out and about and see family and friends," said the No 8 who transferred south from Waikato this year in search of more game-time. "But we've come back in good spirits and everyone's really focused for this weekend and ready to hook into it."

Setephano, 23, who looks a skilful operator from the back of the scrum, conceded there had been more than a few "frustrations" through the first four rounds. But the chance to evaluate had just reinforced what needed to be done.

"As a team we've identified little areas where mistakes have crept into our game, and that hasn't helped us," added Setephano. "Also with a lot of new players, a lot of rookies, when the pressure's come on in the last 10 minutes the decision-making has not quite been there."

The 1.92m 107kg No 8 was hopeful that the return of skipper Craig Newby and experienced second-rower Hoani MacDonald would help would help add much-needed "composure".

Setephano said the Hurricanes match had been a particularly galling one to lose given the nature of the forward dominance established that night.

"As a forward pack we definitely had the edge over them. We dominated the set pieces and just some errorsb that we can eliminate crept in to our game. That was all that stopped us winning. We certainly had a lot of opportunities, but made some bad decision."

Still, on the bright side Setephano, who has shifted to Dunedin with partner Holli Goddard (they have a fashion consultancy business), has liked what he's seen from the Highlanders pack.

"We've got huge potential, I reckon," he said. "We'll be looking to take another step in that direction this weekend."

They will have their work cut out, though, against John Mitchell's Western Force who lasty weekend upset the Blues in Albany and revealed themselves in the process to have a pretty decent pack themselves.

"We won't be under-estimating the Force under John Mitchell," assures Setephano. "They're definitely a team to watch out for. They've got some key players in their packs, some good loose forwards and they've very solid up front.

"But we're pretty keen to stop their momentum."

Who knows, a change of scenery might help for the Highlanders, and as we know there's no scenery quite like Queenstown's. Setephano, who visited the resort for the first time last weekend, says the Highlanders will be definitely ken to pick up on any edge they can get from their hard-core followers in the heartland.

"Coming off the bye everyone's pretty keen and we all know as individuals we've got to put on a quality performance."

The former Waikato loose forward also knows this Highlanders outfit could be just one confidence-boosting win away from turning their season around. That, he reckons, would lift confidence-levels and kick-start a season that desperately needs it.

The Force, with their own tails up after securing their first ever win on New Zealand soil, will back themselves to make it two on the trot across the ditch. But they will also know that the Highlanders, for all their lack of tangible success, have been no doormats thus far.

Setephano, meanwhile, remains upbeat about his shift south. He's getting the game-time he was seeking, and certainly the chance to impress with his package of skills and power. And he knows that this is a young Highlanders squad with plenty of upside.

"The guys have done some good things out on the paddock, and I'm looking forward to progressing my game. I'm definitely enjoying the experience and the opportunities down here.

"It;'s been a good move for my partner and myself. We're pretty happy."

They'll be even happier if those narrow losses can be turned into much-needed wins. This weekend looks as good a place as any to start on that front.

Coach Glenn Moore has made four changes to his side for the game, three in the forwards and one in the backline.

Aaron Bancroft comes in for Johnny Leota at second-five, Tim Boys comes in for Alando Soaki at openside, Hoani MacDonald replaces Isaac Ross at lock and Chris Kings takes the place or prop Clint Newland.

HIGHLANDERS: 15 James Wilson, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo,10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan (VC ), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Craig Newby ( C ), 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16 David Hall, 17 Keith Cameron, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Brett Mather