Ever hopeful, ever realistic.
That best sums up the mood of long-suffering Otago rugby supporters.
It has been 53 years since the province last held aloft the Ranfurly Shield and, it seems, even some of the most ardent fans have lost a little faith ahead of Otago's challenge against Southland in Invercargill today.
The bitter memory of 21 unsuccessful bids, and last week's disappointing showing against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe, has dampened some of the enthusiasm.
But there are still plenty prepared to make the two and a-half hour trek south in the hope they will be there to see Otago make history - about 2000, according to some estimates.
Otago Rugby Supporters Club chairman Fred Cross will join 300 others on a chartered train which will ferry fans from Dunedin to Invercargill.
"We're ever hopeful, aren't we?" he replied when asked whether this Otago team had what it took to bring home the Log o' Wood.
"After last week they'd have to improve. Given it's the Ranfurly Shield they are always going to play that much harder. So I guess there is a chance. And, at the end of the day, that is all you really need."
A starter's chance? If ever there is a statement shy on confidence, that would be it.
The club's president, Irene Todd, also wavered under the same Garryowen before regrouping and eventually fielding the question with a tad more bravado.
"Hopefully, we're bringing home the shield," she said.
"We've got a seat in the carriage for it. We've still got the seat if we haven't got the shield."
Otago Rugby Football Union marketing manager Doug McSweeney said there had been strong interest from Otago supporters wanting to attend the game.
"All the rugby clubs, from what I understand, are putting on buses and bits and pieces. So there should be a good crowd down there," McSweeney said.
The 'O' zone will be 1000-strong with perhaps twice that many people commuting to Invercargill for the game, he said.
"I think 2000 would probably be a good guess.
"When you talk to people, they are getting pretty excited about it. It is really starting to build. You can see it in people's eyes when they talk about it."
