Veteran players Marco Bortolami and Kaine Robertson this week told journalists that avoiding another New Zealand hiding was a top priority, rather than chasing a boilover at AMI Stadium.
Former Penrith and Australian rugby league captain Gower won't directly criticise his teammates but it is clear that accepting defeat before kickoff isn't in his DNA.
"It's hard to answer for everyone else but if you're an elite sportsperson and you're going out there to win the game, then what are you doing competing?" Gower said.
"If they haven't got it in their heads that you can win the game then I don't know ..."
While first five-eighth Gower's answer trailed off, Italy coach Nick Mallett moved to clarify his team's stance with the rhetoric of a smooth-talking politician.
"I don't think anyone goes in with damage limitation (in mind)," Mallett said.
"I believe test match rugby is about making it as uncomfortable as possible for the opposition to win."
That issue aside, Gower was in a relaxed mood in his first visit to the South Island -- having made several rugby league sorties to Auckland.
He relished the battle in two his first two rugby tests, the 20-point losses to Australia which heralded the latest phase of a dramatic career shift two years ago.
Two years at French club Bayonne were described as "fantastic", along with the opportunity to represent his Italian grandfather on the international stage.
Lessons in the Italian language were continuing, thanks mostly to roommate Tito Tibaldi, who is also his halfback tomorrow.
He'd also had a chance to catch up with another old roomie, All Blacks lock Brad Thorn. The pair were former Kangaroos teammates and, fortunately for Gower, their rendez vous was before Wednesday's State of Origin league decider his old New South Wales side ceded another series to Thorn's former Queensland outfit.
"He's going great, he's enjoying his time," Gower said of Thorn.
"I'm sure we'll meet out there some time, he'll come at me."
Gower wasn't clued up on every All Black. He had even faced opposite number Luke McAlister before, even though the pair have trod the European club scene for 18 months.
"He (McAlister) is a class player but I don't think there's not a class player in that All Blacks team," Gower said.
"It's going to be a difficult match. They've got strike weapons all over the park, they've got a lot of speed.
"It'll be interesting to see how the weather is and how the game is played."
