There is a fine line in professional sport. The difference between winning and losing at times can be wafer-thin.
A poor kick, a bad call, a missed tackle - mere centimetres can be the difference between the penthouse and the outhouse.
For the Highlanders, this is the season to get on the other side of the line.
For the past two seasons they have been on the wrong side of that slimmest of lines too often.
They have lost 12 games by seven points or fewer in the past two years.
Twelve bonus points, instead of 48 winning points.
So this year, simply put, the Highlanders must win those close games.
The players know it and the coaches know it.
Heck, even undiscovered tribes deep in the Borneo rainforest know it.
Last year, if the Highlanders had won all six of the games they lost by fewer than seven points, the side would have finished top of the table.
That's right. No 1.
That they didn't is now history - they eventually finished 11th - but that sort of statistic shows not all is lost for the coming season.
But how do you win those close games? Experience helps, as does ability, mental toughness, the odd good call and perhaps a bit of luck.
The Highlanders have more than 20 players back from last year so they have the experience.
Ability? The team now has four All Blacks - captain Jimmy Cowan, lock Tom Donnelly, flanker Adam Thomson and winger Ben Smith - and also a bunch of promising players such as Israel Dagg and Robbie Robinson.
The talent is there.
Mentally, one would hope the scars of those close defeats run so deep that the players simply will not accept any more close-run things.
The new mandate on refereeing accountability and a clean-up at the breakdown should help the officiating and make the referees more anonymous, rather than put them centre stage, where they have been far too often in the past couple of years.
And lastly, after all those close losses, perhaps a bit of luck might go the Highlanders' way.
Success is not that far away.
All it will take is a couple of wins early on, and then momentum and, more importantly, belief will take over.
That is why the early games are so important for the Highlanders.
It is far from a dream draw: the Crusaders away first up, followed by the Blues at home, and then off for three games in Africa.
But draws are like relations - you have to live with them, like it or lump it.
The Highlanders have the squad to do well, and for their supporters the faith shown over the past two years must now be rewarded.
There are some genuinely exciting players in the outside backs.
Smith and Dagg are rare talents, while Robinson is obviously going to be good, although he may be a bit green to start with.
Fetu'u Vainikolo looks like he has come back into some form.
If there is an Achilles heel it may be in the inside backs.
Michael Hobbs is a bit of an unknown, but has played at this level before.
Mathew Berquist can kick goals very well and that is why he is in the squad.
He needs to improve the quickness of his hands, and general kicking game.
Coach Glenn Moore is excited about the ability of Jayden Hayward, and the Taranaki man has completed his apprenticeship.
Cowan has put daylight between himself and other halfbacks in the country and will want to keep that gap, if not lengthen it.
Up front, the Highlanders forward pack looks at least as good as any other New Zealand side.
Thomson and Alando Soakai had stand-out seasons last year and need to continue that form.
The tight five is solid, with Donnelly looking every inch an All Black, while Josh Bekhuis is not far behind.
Jamie Mackintosh, wearing the vice-captain's arm band, is looking keen and fit.
He plateaued a bit last season, dropping out of the All Black frame, and was nearly tempted to search for new pastures.
But he stayed and is due for a big year.
He is not alone.
Highlanders
SQUAD
Backs: Jimmy Cowan (captain), Robbie Robinson, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, James Paterson, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Jason Shoemark, Kendrick Lynn, Jayden Hayward, Michael Hobbs, Mathew Berquist, Sean Romans.
Forwards: Nasi Manu, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Tim Boys, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Joe Tuineau, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jason Macdonald.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jayden Hayward _ Played only a limited role last season but much is expected of the Taranaki inside back this year.
Nasi Manu _ Has arrived from Canterbury and the No 8 must get his side on the front foot from the back of the scrum and link well with halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Israel Dagg _ Entering that sometimes difficult second season at this level. If the young fullback can continue his progress higher honours may not be far away.
QUESTIONS
Who will be the next All Black from the Highlanders?
Will we see the Fetu'u Vainikolo of 2008 or 2009?
Which of the Jasons will be the first-choice hooker at the end of the season?
FORM
2009: Played 13, won 4, lost 9, 11th
2008: Played 13, won 3, lost 10, 11th
2007: Played 13, won 5, lost 8, 9th
2006: Played 13, won 6, lost 7, 9th
2005: Played 11, won 6, lost 4, drew 1, 8th (out of 12)
DRAW
February 13: v Crusaders, Christchurch, 7.35pm
February 19: v Blues, Dunedin, 7.35pm
February 28: v Cheetahs, Bloemfontein, 4.05am
March 7: v Stormers, Cape Town, 4.05am
March 14: v Bulls, Pretoria, 4.05am
March 20: v Sharks, Dunedin, 7.35pm
March 26: v Lions, Dunedin, 7.35pm
April 3: v Chiefs, Mt Maunganui, 7.35pm
April 10: v Force, Queenstown, 2.30pm
April 24: v Hurricanes, Dunedin, 7.35pm
April 30: v Waratahs, Invercargill, 7.35pm
May 8: v Brumbies, Canberra, 9.40pm
May 15: v Reds, Brisbane, 9.40pm
Super 14
ROUND 1 DRAW
Blues v Hurricanes: Auckland, Friday, February 12, 7.35pm
Force v Brumbies: Perth, Saturday, February 13, 12.05am
Cheetahs v Bulls: Bloemfontein, Saturday, February 13, 6.10am
Crusaders v Highlanders: Christchurch, Saturday, February 13, 7.35pm
Reds v Waratahs: Brisbane, Saturday, February 13, 9.40pm
Lions v Stormers, Johannesburg, Sunday, February 14, 4.05am
Sharks v Chiefs: Durban, Sunday, February 14, 6.10am, Super 14
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Crusaders v Highlanders. The opening round features plenty of derby matches and this is one of the best. The Crusaders are many pundits' tip as the team to beat this season but have lost their last two encounters against the men from the south.
PICKS
Steve Hepburn, ODT rugby writer: Blues 12-, Force 13+, Bulls 12-, Highlanders 12-, Reds 12-, Stormers 12-, Sharks 12-.
Alistair McMurran, ODT rugby writer: Hurricanes 12-, Force 12-, Bulls 13+, Highlanders 12-, Waratahs 12-, Stormers 13+, Chiefs 12-.
Jamie Mackintosh, Highlanders prop: Hurricanes 12-, Brumbies 12-, Bulls 12-, Highlanders 12-, Waratahs 12-, Stormers 12-, Sharks 12-
