Neither side will lack for motivation when Otago and Southland clash in a vital match in Gore tomorrow.
The phrase must-win gets over-used in sport, but that really is the scenario for both sides in the match which has been shifted to Gore after the collapse of Stadium Southland's roof last Saturday.
Otago and Southland are battling it out for fourth spot in the national provincial championship and the winner of the match tomorrow will have more or less booked that spot.
Otago has won one game from three matches, and sits on five points, while Southland is winless after three games, but is not out of the hunt for a semifinal spot, having picked up two bonus points.
Whichever team wins the match will have all but secured a spot in the top four.
Otago coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz said her side could make the semifinals even if it lost, but it wanted to control its own destiny and it could do that by winning tomorrow.
"There is always a lot of rivalry between Otago and Southland in any sport, and this game won't be any exception," she said.
"This is a big game for us. We need to step up. There are three spots secured in the semifinals already and we want to make sure we can grab the other one."
Otago could afford a loss and then rely on beating Auckland next Thursday and other results going its way.
But Tasi-Cordtz did not want to rely on other results.
Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland have already qualified for the semifinals.
Southland as a province had been through plenty over the past week with the collapsed stadium roof and weather woes, but Tasi-Cordtz said that could work to her side's advantage.
"It can be quite daunting going down there and having to walk into Stadium Southland. So we won't have to deal with that. Plus Gore is not as far to travel for us."
But she said Southland may well be galvanised by the trip up the road and the collapse of its stadium, so Otago needed to be on its game.
It will be a big match for Otago shooter Te Paea Selby-Ricket, who will be marked by her older sister, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricket.
The younger sibling landed a perfect 49 shots from as many attempts in Otago's win over Western last week, but will be up against not only her tough older sister but experienced defender Sheryl Scanlan at the Southland defensive end.
Tasi-Cordtz said the Southland defence is obviously one to watch, but she had been stressing to her side its abilities this week.
"It's all been about self belief for us this week. About getting out there and doing the job. That is what is important to us."
Otago will travel to Gore today and then train at the events centre in Gore this afternoon.
Young midcourter Emily Close is unavailable for the game tomorrow because of a family commitment, so Shannon Francis will get a chance to play a full game in the mid court.
She impressed last week in the win over Western and big games will also be expected from defenders Jess Moulds and Louise Thayer.
Otago does not have a lot of time to recover, as it takes on Auckland in Auckland next Thursday in its final round robin game.
The finals will be played in Auckland on October 1-2.
