So no matter how well Ben Smith is playing, how sharp and dangerous he looks on the field, it all comes back to the scoreboard.
And that does not make pleasant reading for the Highlanders or Smith.
Smith said individual success meant little at the end of the day.
''You go out there to win, no matter what sport you are playing. And this is professional sport. But the boys are definitely trying really hard,'' he said.
''But when the team is not going very well, everyone hurts, from the team management to the players.''
Smith, who looks a shoo-in for the All Blacks this season, could hardly be faulted for the one win, 11 loss record.
He has looked class in every game he has played, and made plenty of play.
But Smith, who turns 27 today, is reluctant to heap praise on himself.
''To be honest, people are putting me into space and that is helping my game. I have to thank the people around me who are putting me into gaps.''
Smith said he was not looking back and it was all about what was in the future for the side.
''When you look at the sort of people we have got down here, we put our heads down and work really hard.
''We have got this attitude we are in this together and we'll just keep looking forward to the games.
''All we can concentrate on is getting ready to playing the Blues.''
The Blues will run on to Forsyth Barr Stadium knowing their season is on the line.
They sit seventh on the table but are among a logjam and are yet to journey to South Africa.
So the match tonight is a must-win for the side, and there should be no worries about attitude after they were loudly rebuked by coach Sir John Kirwan after their loss to the Brumbies last week.
The Highlanders have had a disrupted week and spent little time on the training field but this is the 13th game of the competition, so training would not add much at this time.
Coach Jamie Joseph has rung the changes in reaction to the disappointing loss to the Force last week.
All Black backs Ma'a Nonu and Aaron Smith have been moved to the bench, while Trent Renata gets his first start of the season on the right wing.
Renata started out as a first five-eighth so it will be interesting to see if he has the speed on the outsides.
Tony Woodcock has gone from the starting 22 and Jamie Mackintosh comes in for a start.
Jarrad Hoeata is back on the blindside flank and Andrew Hore returns to strengthen the side at hooker and take the captaincy again.
The Highlanders will go into the international break after this match and know the three weeks off will be much better should they win tonight.
The Highlanders are offering special $15 tickets to ground members as a way to repay their loyalty this season.
