Expectation. It can do a lot to a man.
Ask any All Black at the past six World Cups. Or a New York Yankee over the past 100-plus years.
It applies pressure and plays mind games which can bring about changes in performances in individuals and teams which no-one sees coming.
That is perhaps the biggest hurdle Otago faces this season. Last year, with the union almost bankrupt, and many players leaving the province, there was no expectation on the Otago side.
None at all. It was just good to have a team in blue and gold out on the paddock and being competitive.
That Otago made it all the way to the ITM Cup Championship final before losing to Counties-Manukau was a great way to end the season for the union, which faced going out of business at the beginning of 2012.
The Otago team did it in an exciting fashion, with an attacking brand of rugby that was fun to watch.
But that good effort last year has raised the stakes for this season. The expectation is to win the Championship. Anything less than a final will be disappointing.
Most of the players are back, and the winning of the Championship, to earn promotion to the top echelon of provincial rugby, the Premiership, is the side's goal. Otago has said it, and the public is looking for it. That brings pressure and it is up to the team to respond.
The attitude last year was to just keep on scoring tries and move the ball around all the time. That will be the style again this year, and Otago has the weaponry to do that.
In the pack, there is a solid enough front row, good locks and talented loose forwards.
Its inside-back combination is top notch. The midfield is a tad green but has talented players, while out wide there is plenty of speed and trickery.
Much of the expectation will land on the inside-back combination of Fumiaki Tanaka and Hayden Parker.
The two were electric last year, keeping the high-tempo game Otago favoured going forward and on the front foot.
They have both benefited from a season with the Highlanders in terms of conditioning, and will be looking to hit the ground running. Parker's dead-eye goal kicking is another plus.
The return of Tom Donnelly gives Otago a core of experience in its forward pack.
The loss of Hugh Blake to an elbow injury is a blow but there is enough depth to cover his absence.
The other contenders in the Championship appear to be Hawkes Bay, Southland and Tasman. Otago needs to beat these sides, and plays two of the three at home.
Otago's big focus this season has to be beating Premiership teams in the cross-division games. Counties-Manukau did that last year and ended up hosting the final.
Otago has only beaten one Premiership team in two seasons - Auckland in 2011, for one victory in eight games.
A good way to start would be a victory over Bay of Plenty on Sunday.
If Otago can repeat that five days later against Waikato, it would be a dream beginning to the season. And with the probable bonus of the Ranfurly Shield in the trophy cabinet.
Now, that really would be exceeding expectations.
