You get the feeling Tony Brown, more than most, will be glad when the playoff match between the Chiefs and Highlanders kicks off tonight.
It may put to bed those references to the ''party at Tony Brown's'' which crop up every time there is a big game in Dunedin.
The infamous line, changed from a popular television advertisement, started in 1999 when the Highlanders hosted the Crusaders in the Super 12 final.
It has floated round ever since, but Brown has never been a fan.
''It gets a bit embarrassing at times. But it is pretty exciting and good for Dunedin to get another playoff game here. The whole city is behind us, which is great,'' he said.
Brown, who is into his second year as assistant coach with the Highlanders, said he took nothing from the game 16 years ago to tell his players.
The game in 1999 seemed a lifetime ago.
''The game has changed so much. It is moving so fast. You go to a stadium with a roof compared to Carisbrook in its day. Playoff rugby is different and we're looking forward to it.
''There is a lot more intensity involved. A lot more physical. It's going to be fast and definitely going to be different.''
Brown said the Highlanders had spent the week working hard and putting plans in place. As a coach, he needed to keep the players calm before the game and build up their confidence.
He has been impressed by the dedication shown by the players and their ability to go the extra mile in training.
If the Highlanders won tonight, there was no chance there would be a party at his house, Brown said. There may be a beer or two but it will not be at the Brown residence.
• There are just a few hundred tickets for the game remaining, and the Highlanders are confident a capacity crowd of about 22,500 will be at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
The Highlanders did not open the Otago Daily Times stand at the eastern end of the stadium as it did not have the time to install all the extra seats in a few days.
It also had separate commercial activities planned for the area.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said it was not economic to put the seats up.
The franchise needed to sell them all, which it was not confident of doing.
The seats have been installed only for Rugby World Cup matches and All Black tests.