Either way, the goal is pretty simple for the Highlanders tonight.
They need to beat the Waratahs in Sydney to flush the bitter taste of the poor performance against the Force last weekend, to convince their fans some real progress has been made this season and to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot with a couple of very difficult games to come.
To the Highlanders’ credit, they have not been spouting platitudes this week but have instead been brutally honest about not being good enough in Perth and needing to be much better in Sydney tonight.
Stand-in captain Aaron Smith might be just the spark the Highlanders need.
It has been a rough time for the beloved halfback as he has been mourning the death of his father, Wayne, and missed the losses to the Force and the Hurricanes.
"It’s great to be back with the team, and great to be keeping my mind busy," Smith said from Sydney.
"Watching the two games at home with my family, during a tough time, was obviously tough, but I’ve come back refreshed and excited.
"I was gutted for the boys. The Hurricanes game was an exciting opportunity for us. We got a lot of positives out of that. The Force game, we probably let ourselves down a bit."
Smith felt there were positive signs of energy and focused preparation in the camp this week.
He knows there will be people looking to him and the other senior players to get the Highlanders back on track, but he did not give away too much about how that would be achieved.
"As a leadership group and coaching staff, we have those conversations behind doors.
"It’s more about keeping our focus on training days ahead, setting up the week and just really putting some things right against the Waratahs and chasing that consistency of performance.
"This week, we’re trying to dial into what’s really important for us. Get your head and your body into a place you want to go. Our backs are against the wall, and we need a response.
"We’ve got to get it right and give ourselves a chance. We’re much better than the way we played last week.
"This is our reality. As players, we need to stand up."
There is no doubt the Highlanders will look to take on the Waratahs up front.
An already well-functioning tight five might get an extra lift from the return of exciting youngster Fabian Holland, while Sean Withy and Hugh Renton deservedly get starts in the loose and will no doubt be firing.
The backline is the wildcard.
Smith and Mitch Hunt can control a game but the Highlanders might need another spark — someone like Connor Garden-Bachop to really discover his confidence and enterprise — if the clash opens up.
The Waratahs have battled to a 2-6 record, coughing up 31.7 points per game, so they might be seen as vulnerable.
Then you consider the fact they have brought back no fewer than six Wallabies to their starting XV, after some were rested against the Blues last weekend.
It is, therefore, an open secret the Waratahs are targeting this game as one they see as eminently winnable.
Rising No8 Langi Gleeson, hooker Dave Porecki and prop Te Tera Faulkner return from injury, while star flanker Michael Hooper, second five Lalakai Foketi and winger Mark Nawaqanitawase are on deck after missing the Eden Park hiding.
As part of Super Rugby’s culture round, the Waratahs are wearing a First Nations jersey designed by winger Dylan Pietsch.
Super Rugby Pacific
Sydney, 9.35pm
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Jonah Lowe, Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (captain), Hugh Renton, Sean Withy, Shannon Frizell, Will Tucker, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki.
Waratahs: Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon (captain), Langi Gleeson, Michael Hooper, Taleni Seu, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, David Porecki, Te Tera Faulkner. Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Daniel Botha, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Harrison Goddard, Joey Walton, Mosese Tuipulotu.
