The season comes to a close and for both the Highlanders and Rebels, it is one to forget.
We all know the story of the Highlanders this year - massive expectation, followed by a huge letdown. Eight straight losses to begin the season, a flurry of yellow cards, and the odd red card. Throw in a host of injuries and poor form by many players, and it has been a season to forget.
The Rebels, with new signings and fit players, were also looking for a break-out year.
But brain explosions both on the field and off have also left the Australian franchise wondering what might have been.
The Rebels are 12th on the ladder, while the Highlanders are 14th. If the Highlanders manage a big win and keep the Rebels out of the points, they would finish ahead of the Rebels, and they could even finish 12th, if the Force loses to the Brumbies in Perth tomorrow night.
The Highlanders are farewelling a raft of players and there is a cloud hanging over the future of at least assistant coaches Scott McLeod and Jon Preston.
The likes of Hosea Gear, Kade Poki and Colin Slade are all about to head to pastures new, while there is also doubt over the future of captain Andrew Hore.
Prop Jamie Mackintosh is heading to new surroundings, signing a contract with the Chiefs, but there is no sentiment in the team selection for coach Jamie Joseph, who has again left the big Southlander out of the 22-man squad to take on the Rebels.
Mackintosh has gone from the penthouse to the outhouse at the Highlanders over the past couple of seasons.
Last year, he was the captain. This year, he has had just five games - one of those as a replacement - although he was laid low by a back injury in the early stages of the season.
The Rebels are also experiencing plenty of change. Coach Damien Hill has been shown the door after two years in charge and he will have plenty of company heading out the exit, with the likes of James O'Connor and Cooper Vuna looking for new clubs.
With nothing to play for in terms of playoffs, there should be plenty of incentive on attack tonight.
The Highlanders came out on the right side of the ledger last week in a 93-point thriller against the Hurricanes, although Joseph is keen to see better defence.
''It is the end of the season, the guys are playing reasonably well, and we have scored some good tries but we need to just get our defence worked out,'' Joseph said.
''We want to put a complete performance in and the players have talked about that. It is about shoring up our defence and making sure we are disciplined and not giving yellow cards away. That is a real big work-on for us.''
Joseph said there was the incentive to finish the season in style but the first task was to win the game.
There are just two changes to the side which beat the Hurricanes.
Hore comes into the front row, while youngster Jason Emery is slotted into centre and Tamati Ellison moves into second five-eighth.
Highlanders v Rebels
Melbourne, tonight, 9.40pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Jason Emery, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Mose Tuiali'i, Elliot Dixon, TJ Ioane, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore (captain), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Bronson Murray, Jake Paringati, Joe Wheeler, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Shaun Treeby.
Rebels: Angus Roberts, Jason Woodward, Tom English, Rory Sidey, Cooper Vuna, Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve (captain), Scott Fuglistaller, Jarrod Saffy, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Jordy Reid, Nic Stirzaker, James O'Connor, Kimami Sitauti.
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
