Southland is one win away from a ripper of a season.
The Stags have also been one try or one defensive stop away from better results this season.
They have not quite been able to shed the tag of valiant loser, which is annoying given they are playing quite attractive rugby.
The dour defensive game has given way to a more expansive game plan this season and it has earned them some new fans.
The brand has not deliver any wins yet. But victory against Hawke’s Bay in Napier on Saturday will wipe away all the pain, all the frustration, all the negativity which comes with mounting losses.
It will also bring them the Ranfurly Shield. That is something to smile about in the deep south.
Not that the team needs cheering up. Coach Dale MacLeod said the morale remained high despite losing its opening five games in the NPC.
"It has been a tough season," he acknowledged.
"But the boys are in great spirits and they are working hard.
"We’re not that far off. When you look across our five games I think we average [a loss of seven points]."
All it would have taken to convert some of the close losses into a victory dance would be one stop or a bit of magic at the other end.
That might sound like wishful thinking, but MacLeod is confident his side can lift and there would be no better time than Saturday to do that.
"I believe were are getting better and we are good enough to win some of those games. But this competition is very tough.
"We still have five games to go and anything could happen."
Injuries, concussion and Covid had all had a negative impact on the season to date. But this week MacLeod will be able to pick his strongest side yet, which is handy because it is their biggest game.
That said, he is aware his side will be up against the odds.
"We’ll have to be at our brilliant best and they’ll have to drop a couple of notches. But do we believe we can go and win? Yes we do."
The Stags play three games in eight days and they are all on the road. It is an exhausting part of the season, but game one is the Ranfurly Shield challenge which "is what dreams are made of".
"No-one is really giving us a chance. But you imagine what sort of problem we’re going to create if we win the Shield and we are on the road for the next two games."
None of the fans will get to see it. But also the Stags will have it locked up until September 25 when they host Counties-Manukau.
Win that match and successfully defend it against North Harbour the following week and they get to keep it until next season.
That is a lot to play for for a team down on its luck but not down on belief.
