Ben Smith has urged his team-mates to back themselves when Otago plays Hawke's Bay in the ITM Cup match at Carisbrook on Sunday.
Otago has so far had a disastrous season and has just a solitary bonus point from five games. Hawke's Bay has not fared much better and is in 12th place with seven points.
Various theories have been promoted about how Otago can turnaround one of the worst losing streaks in its history and Smith is realistic enough to know there is no silver bullet.
"We've got to be confident, go out there and play the game we're confident of playing and just back ourselves," Smith said.
The 2009 All Black has been one of the few shining lights in a dismal season, showing his class whether he plays at fullback or centre.
"A win would do the team the world of good," he acknowledged.
"Everyone is trying their hardest. They're out there giving it their all. It's hard to pinpoint why we haven't had the wins.
"I definitely wouldn't blame it on the younger players because I think some of them have played really well."
Otago's last outing was a 25-15 loss to Taranaki at Carisbrook while Hawke's Bay had its first win, beating Manawatu 17-9 in Palmerston North.
"It's hard to say what went wrong against Taranaki," Smith said. "Basically, there were probably just wee moments in the game where we needed to execute better.
"We've worked a wee bit on the mental side of playing rugby and just being able to move on to the next thing when something goes wrong.
"The good thing about rugby is that there is usually another game next week You don't have too much time to dwell on the last game, which is good. You've just got to prepare for the next game."
Smityh, 24, who will be playing his 30th game for Otago game on Sunday, said he had no special confidante with whom he discussed his rugby progress.
"I pick things up off everyone and pick their brains," he said. "You also have to have a good look at yourself and make sure you're concentrating the right way."
Smith, who was born and bred in Dunedin, recently re-signed with Otago for another two years and said that decision would stand whether or not Otago was relegated to the second tier.
He is one of four All Blacks, the others are Adam Thomson, Zac Guildford and Hosea Gear, who are in the New Zealand sevens side to play in the Commowealth Games in New Delhi next month.
"I'm really looking forward to going away with the sevens team but I've got a job to do for Otago first," he said.
"It's a great opportunity to go to India and to represent New Zealand and we know we've got a great legacy to uphold when we get there. I've played in two national tournaments for Otago and I really enjoy the game and the space that you get."