The Highlanders take on the Reds in Brisbane tonight and know anything less than a win will see their chances of the playoffs dead and buried.
They are at long odds to make the finals even if they do win tonight and it may be more about pride than playoffs in the 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.
But any team coached by Jamie Joseph, and led by Jamie Mackintosh, is not going to throw in the towel if there is a sniff of the playoffs.
Mackintosh acknowledged the team was a long shot to get into the top six but when there was hope there was fight.
"All we can hope for is to finish the season on a positive note. We want to come back to the team next year after finishing with a win and also we want to have a winning team to attract new players, and that means to get a win," Mackintosh said.
"We are still a mathematical chance, whether a few teams lose and we win. We have definitely not thought about losing.
"The whole Aussie-New Zealand thing comes into it, too ... We want to make sure one of our teams is in the finals. You'd rather see one of your own mates from your country in the playoffs than some other team from Aussie or South Africa."
Mackintosh was part of an aggressive Highlanders scrum last week which finished well ahead of the Chiefs.
More of that is needed against the Reds, never known as a great scrummaging team.
The Highlanders have rung the changes.
Andrew Hore comes in at hooker to replace Jason Rutledge. Hore is more of a starter, while the explosive Rutledge is suited to coming off the bench. Josh Bekhuis starts at lock, as does James Haskell on the openside flank.
Jimmy Cowan will start in what will most probably be his last game for the Highlanders, and Aaron Smith moves to the reserves.
Mike Delany starts at five five-eighth for Chris Noakes, while Siale Piutau takes the place of Tamati Ellison at centre.
Ellison, who has started every game for the Highlanders, strained his hamstring last week and will be out for the next three to four weeks.
It could be the last game in the Highlanders jersey for some players, and they will want to go out with a bang.
They need to be more accurate in attack, and snuff out any half-chances in a quick Reds backline.
The Reds are still in the playoff mix so a win tonight is an absolute must for them.
They have been gathering momentum after a horror start to the season, and, as usual, most of their game will revolve around halfback Will Genia.
Whoever wins the battle between him and Cowan may well decide the victor on the scoreboard.
Fine weather is forecast for Brisbane tonight.
Highlanders v Reds
Brisbane, tonight, 9.40pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Siali Piutau, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, James Haskell, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Josh Bekhuis, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Jarrad Hoeata, Tim Boys, Aaron Smith, Chris Noakes, Kendrick Lynn.
Reds: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Fainga'a, Michael Harris, Chris Feauai-Soutia, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (captain), Scott Higginbotham, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Fainga'a, Greg Holmes. Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Radike Samo, Jarrad Butler, Ben Lucas, Ben Tapuai, Nick Frisby.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
TAB odds: Highlanders $3.30, Reds $1.30.