A season-shaper is about to be played out: the Highlanders facing the Hurricanes in a game that will go a long way to deciding both teams' prospects.
It is a local derby, one side in sixth place and the other in eighth, and both sides needing a win.
And with the closeness of games involving the Highlanders, it may come down to one critical play, one clever move, or one bit of genius from one player.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is not buying the talk that it is a crunch game. It is simply that both teams are coming to a critical part of the competition.
"Every game we play is a crunch game.
"But we are getting to that part of the competition when it is always going to be like that [important]," Joseph said.
"They are a team which play a pretty structured game.
"But they very much capitalise on any mistakes you might make.
"That is what they did against teams like the Blues and the Chiefs.
"So we can't afford to make those mistakes."
Joseph has been forced into a couple of changes to his side and has also given captain Jamie Mackintosh a rest for the weekend.
Joseph said the benching of his captain had nothing to do with his game last week, but every player had to have a break.
With Ma'afu Fia playing well and Bronson Murray coming back into the mix, Mackintosh could have a breather.
"Last year it would have been a tough call, but we have an All Black captain in our side in Andrew Hore.
"In truth, we have eight captains in our team, so in terms of leadership we are pretty blessed."
Hore will skipper the side, while Chris King moves to loosehead prop, with Ma'afu Fia coming off the bench to start at tighthead prop.
Adam Thomson will be on the openside flank, with Nick Crosswell over a knee injury and getting a start on the blindside flank.
Centre Tamati Ellison has been cleared of a knee injury, and Phil Burleigh will start at second five-eighth in place of the injured Shaun Treeby.
Flanker Tim Boys, who has joined the side this week, will join the reserves bench.
Joseph said it would have been a huge task for Boys to come straight into the side, having been off duck-shooting last weekend.
But he was a quality player who had come close to making the squad this year.
The side has not had the smoothest week, having to overcome injuries to players and flying back to South Africa.
"But the one thing about this side is the uniqueness they have in staying close together and playing for each other."
He said every team had to come back from South Africa and coaches and players had to get over the travel quickly.
The Highlanders had just one detailed training run this week but will be pleased to be back home, with about 16,000 tickets already sold for the clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Hurricanes, who run on confidence, have been up and down this season.
They looked great in beating the Blues last week but before that were well off key in losing to the Chiefs and Crusaders.
The home side needs to put a dent in the Hurricanes early and then put the foot on the throat.
It created a few opportunities last week in the loss to the Sharks and urgently needs to turn those chances into points.
