The equation is quite simple for Otago.
Bag a win at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow and host a semifinal.
The side sits third on the ladder of the ITM Cup championship, two points behind Hawkes Bay in second.
To get into second, and have a home semifinal, Otago needs a victory and the four points that go with it.
But standing in the way is an Auckland side, which may or may not have something to play for.
Auckland has qualified for the playoffs in the premiership and will face Canterbury, no matter what.
But if Canterbury trips up against North Harbour today, and does not bag the maximum five points then Auckland, one point behind Canterbury, could sneak up to second and get to host a semifinal.
That is a big carrot for Auckland, so Otago will be hoping that Canterbury does the business. Motivation plays a big part in games at this time of the year.
If Auckland does not have a lot to play for, the players may just go through the motions tomorrow. Their eyes may be switched to next week and the semifinal.
Otago is on a good run of form and has bagged the maximum 10 points from its last two games.
But those victories were against Northland and North Harbour, the two bottom teams in the competition.
Auckland is a different kettle of fish. It is not log-jammed with stars but makes few mistakes. When a chance comes along, it nails it.
Otago need to be on the ball right from the first whistle and energy levels will have to be high.
The side has made a couple of changes in the forwards with lock Tom Franklin and prop Craig Millar having a break.
Coach Tony Brown said those two forwards have had a big workload throughout the season and needed a spell.
Tama Tuirirangi gets a start at loosehead prop, in what will be his blazer game.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather is bracketed on the bench with Sam Sturgess. Anderson-Heather has a slight neck problem and may not be fit for the match tomorrow.
Kieran Moffat comes back into centre while Hayden Parker and Fumiaki Tanaka resume their partnership.
The Otago side had a light training yesterday and will have a captain's run today.
Brown said recovery was all important with the short turnaround.
''It is still in our hands on what we can do and where we play the semifinal. They are going to present a tough challenge but as long as we prepare well, we can be up for it,'' Brown said.
''They are a good side, one of the form sides in the competition.''
Wellington did Otago no favours when it lost to Hawkes Bay on Thursday night but, as Brown said, Otago's destiny is in its own hands.
In its third game in nine days, Otago must start well and make sure it has some intensity in its defensive line.
Auckland is big and strong and will muscle up around the breakdown. It also has a couple of aces on its reserve bench in Piri Weepu and Luke Braid.
Otago has its own trump card in abrasive loose forward TJ Ioane, who will be looking to knock over a few bodies. He needs to improve his ball security.
The match is the last for referee Jonathon White, who started his first-class career in Otago and now calls Auckland his home.
Otago v Auckland
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Buxton Popoali'i, Kieran Moffat, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Lee Allan, Gareth Evans, Charlie O'Connell, Tom Donnelly, Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Tama Tuirirangi. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather or Sam Sturgess, Aki Seiuli, Ezra Taylor, TJ Ioane, Josh Renton, Peter Breen, Tei Walden.
Auckland: Lolagi Visina, Tenena Sauileoge, Malakai Fekitoa, Hadleigh Parkes (captain), George Moala, Simon Hickey, Wayne Ngaluafe, Peter Saili, Kara Pryor, Sean Polwart, Jack Whetton, Liaki Moli, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tom McCartney, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Pauliasi Manu, Luke Braid, Sean Brookman, Angus Ta'avao, Piri Weepu, Vince AsoReferee: Jonathon White (Auckland)
