There are some good signs - it is a year to the day since Otago won the Ranfurly Shield, the players who scored all the points in that challenge will front again today, and Otago started the season with a comfortable and convincing victory.
But then again there are plenty of bad omens - Otago last won in Pukekohe when Jenny Shipley was running the country, its last two visits to the park have ended in heavy defeat, and its opponent today will be a million times better than that which fronted against the blue and gold last Saturday.
So whether the planets are in alignment for Otago or they are seriously out of kilter, fate will in the end come down to how 15 men wearing the golden O perform this afternoon against Counties-Manukau in a Ranfurly Shield challenge.
History and past deeds will be a minor sideshow and in the end add little.
Make no bones about it - it is going to be a tough ask.
Counties-Manukau was a semifinalist of the ITM Cup premiership last year and has some players of real class.
Otago has a more workmanlike look about it but first five-eighth Hayden Parker said the confidence within the team had risen after the first-up win over North Harbour.
''We are getting confidence out of that game against North Harbour.
"Everyone knows if we do our plays and nail the details of it all, we are a chance,'' he said.
''They have got some big boys, good carriers and that, so defensively we are going to have to be really good.
"They will throw a bit more at us than North Harbour did.''
Although Otago was made up mainly of club players and everyone knew each other well, combinations were still going to take a while to come together.
''We have not played a lot together. Every game we play will help us and hopefully we'll be on top of game this weekend.
''There won't be many chances. Every chance that comes along you are going to have to take it.
"It is a Ranfurly Shield match and they ain't going to give it to us. We are going to have to go up there and throw everything at them.''
Parker scored 21 points in the successful challenge against Waikato last year.
The memories of that game were still fresh but not of banging the goals over.
''The key there, I think, was our defence. We just hung tough.
"Right at the end there they just kept throwing everything at us and we managed to hold them out, get a turnover and win.
''I'd say it would be similar up there. But we will have to attack and go for the win.''
Parker, being the goalkicker, will be an important man for Otago.
In these early-season matches, penalties tend to come thick and fast as both players and referee are searching for rhythm.
Otago will have 11 players in its squad who took part in the successful challenge last year.
Counties-Manukau have defended the shield three times since winning it midway through last season and all were convincing victories.
It welcomes back lightning attacker Tim Nanai-Williams who will return to action via the bench.
The home team has quality attackers such as winger Frank Halai and livewire halfback Augustine Pulu.
Otago needs to stop those attackers and deny them any space if it wants to taste shield glory once again.
Otago v Counties-Manukau
Pukekohe, today, 4.35pm
Otago: Trent Renata, Jayden Spence, Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Hayden Parker, Josh Renton, Charlie O'Connell (captain), James Lentjes, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Joe Latta, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Donald Brighouse, Jackson Hemopo, TJ Ioane, Nick Ealey, Peter Breen, Marshall Suckling.
Counties-Manukau: Sherwin Stowers, Frank Halai, Rey Lee-Lo, Bundee Aki, Toni Pulu, Baden Kerr, Augustine Pulu (captain), Jordan Taufua, Onosa'i Auva'a, Dan Hyatt, Jimmy Tupou, Ronald Raymakers, Jarrod Firth, Suliasi Taufalele, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Sione Anga'aelangi, Sean Bagshaw, Viliami Raresea, Kane Hancy, Ahsee Tuala, Tim Nanai-Williams.
Referee: Nick Briant (Bay of Plenty)
