In that regard, it will be a contest today at Forsyth Barr Stadium between two horrible teams, lacking any spark or direction.
But Tasman and Otago will be hoping the demons of last week have disappeared and normal service will resume.
Before last week — when Tasman was thumped 29-0 by Canterbury and Otago was done 32-15 by Southland — both sides were sitting pretty.
Tasman was a clear second on the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership ladder while Otago was top of the Championship and on a run of four straight victories.
So there is some form there and both teams will be hoping it returns today.
Otago coach Tom Donnelly said the side had talked about the game last week and how it had to play better.
"We’re expecting some fireworks from them. Tasman are a good team and it is a good challenge for us. First of all, we just have to get out and put on a performance that we are proud of," he said.
"We obviously need to improve on last week ... we were poor in many facets last week. Our breakdown work was not good enough against what was a good Southland team."
The home team should not be caught out two weeks in a row and Tasman will also look to resume normal service.
Otago could be excused for not having its eyes on the prize today. It has locked in a home semifinal at least and, although a win today would push it in front of Hawke’s Bay to the top of the table, the Magpies have a match against an inconsistent Taranaki team tomorrow.
They will be fancied to win that clash and go back to the top.
Donnelly said the side was not thinking too much about the playoffs. It simply had to concentrate on today’s game. Getting back to a winning way and regaining that momentum it had from winning four games in a row was the key.
Although the side would love to finish top of the table, it was out of its hands.
More important today was to go out and put on a much improved performance.
Otago first five-eighth Josh Ioane was way off form last week and will be looking for a big improvement. Ioane has the ability to see the whole park and it will be an interesting duel with Highlanders team-mate Mitch Hunt.
No8 Nasi Manu will run hard and provide impetus for the Otago attack while the return of Joan Nareki will also be a bonus.
Lock Josh Dickson has a tear in the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee but it is hoped he will be back next week. He has been running this week which is positive although it is a painful injury.
Tasman can lock up second in the Premiership today if it wins big as although third-placed Waikato can finish equal on points, Tasman has the advantage as it won the match between the sides.
