It has been said for almost every game this season, but this time it does ring true - this is a must-win match for the Highlanders.
They resume their Super 15 campaign with a game against the table-topping Chiefs in the last home game of the season.
Sitting eighth on the table, the equation is quite easy for the Highlanders.
Win, and stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
Lose, and start thinking about next year.
They do not come much bigger for a Highlanders side which has come far this season and does not want to fall near the end.
Coach Jamie Joseph is clear about the task that awaits and stresses it is going to be more about accuracy than attitude.
"One of the things we have been trying to get across to our team in the last couple of weeks is, in big games of rugby against quality teams, attitude is equalled," he said.
"Everyone brings the right attitude. So, therefore, you can not just rely on heart and soul to get wins. We have to be technically correct and technically accurate.
"Everyone has ticker at the top end of the season but if we can execute right and do things correctly, we'll go all right."
Joseph has tweaked his forward pack for this game after it was caned by the Crusaders at the start of the month.
Hooker Jason Rutledge gets a start, while prop Ma'afu Fia comes back into the team to replace Chris King.
Nick Crosswell replaces Josh Bekhuis at lock and Tim Boys gets a start on the openside flank, in place of James Haskell.
Haskell only came back into the country late on Tuesday night.
In the backs, Kade Poki comes into the side on the right wing, to replace Kurt Baker.
Joseph did not give his side a game during the three-week break, with many of the players involved in test matches or the North-South game.
"We had eight games on the trot, then the North-South game and then played a club game so that is 10 in a row. So they have played plenty of rugby. Then if you have six of your key players not available for a [friendly] game, you have got to wonder what are you going to achieve.
"We just needed to freshen the guys up, work on the key components of our game and hopefully things will be right."
The side was on light duties this week, and should be bursting with energy tonight.
The Chiefs have also done little this week on the training field, and although first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has been named to start, a final decision on his availability will be made today.
The Chiefs undoubtedly rely on the likes of Cruden and the man outside him, Sonny Bill Williams, to get their side going forward.
They have done it all year, and the Highlanders must stop this pair to have any chance.
The Highlanders need to be accurate with their passing and keep structure in their game.
Playing off the cuff will not beat the Chiefs. The Highlanders won the first encounter between these teams by hanging on to the ball and grinding the Chiefs out of the game. More of that is needed.
About 14,500 tickets had been sold for the match by yesterday.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tonight, 7.35pm
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand).
TAB odds: Chiefs $1.50, Highlanders $2.45.
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Tamati Ellison, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Chris Noakes, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Tim Boys, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Andrew Hore, Chris King, Josh Bekhuis, James Haskell, Jimmy Cowan, Mike Delany, Buxton Popoali'i.
Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (captain), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga.
