It may be as much about who is on the sideline than who is on the park when the Highlanders take on the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.
Both sides will pack some punch on the benches, and what is bound to be a close game may come back to who brings the energy out on the field as the game goes on.
The much-hyped return of midfield back Sonny Bill Williams will take centre stage for many of those up north, although in the south, the return of the abrasive Liam Squire is a plus for all Highlanders supporters.
Loose forward Squire played only the first two games of the season - in the losses to the Chiefs and the Crusaders at home -before a knee injury got the better of him, but his explosiveness will be welcomed back.
Both Williams and Squire will come off the bench and are bound to make an impact when they appear.
Highlanders coach Tony Brown said the bench was an important part of the game these days.
"Creating that impact off the bench does change games and win games in that last 20 minutes. We focus a lot on that and I’m sure the Blues do, as well," he said.
"We have players who can do that and the Blues have, too. We have to stop them and for us to get over the top of them."
Brown said there was a tentative plan when to bring players on but that could quickly change.
"It depends on the speed of the game, the intensity of it and how the players are performing. If you get an injury early that throws your plans out the window. So you need to adapt and plan on the run."
Brown said the side was not worrying about Williams, as the Blues had X-factor players all over the park. The game would be followed by a bye week for the Highlanders and the side would have the week off, including part of Easter, before coming together again on April 17, Easter Monday.
The team plays the Sunwolves in Invercargill on April 22.
Remember to follow along with our live updates from 7.30pm on Saturday night here.