After all, this is the season for the Highlanders to deliver and what better way to start than with a win over what many pundits are tipping as the team to beat in this season's Super 14.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore says his team is ready for the game but is not taking much from the fact his side is going for its third win in row against its neighbour.
"Last year is last year and the year before that is the year before. This is a new year and is about focusing on our own job and doing the best we can," he said.
The Highlanders will have to hit the ground running against a Crusaders team which, contrary to suggestions, will start the season in reasonable form.
They have won their opening games in the past two seasons, and will have the pleasure of welcoming back Dan Carter to the Crusaders shirt.
There is no Richie McCaw as he rests for the first three weeks of the competition, but Moore said he was not concentrating on the Crusaders' playing roster.
He is looking to see some real progress from his side.
"We would expect to see some reasonable growth this year. Looking back last year we were not going down by 10 to 20 points. So we're not far away. This is a critical year and there is confidence this year."
Certainly, this is time for players such as Mathew Berquist, Jayden Hayward, Josh Bekhuis and Clint Newland to stand up. They have done their apprenticeship; it is time to start to fly.
Moore felt the side was in good shape.
"Physically, we're well ahead of where we were last year. The testing we've done has shown that. And with being able to bring back 20-odd players we can build on last year. We don't have to go back and start again.
"There are a number of guys who have had successful seasons with provincial unions. Some of the guys have also gone away with the All Blacks so that should pay dividends for the rest of the team."
Moore felt his side did not need another hit-out after playing just two pre-season games, and had freshened up last weekend.
Returning All Blacks Jimmy Cowan and Adam Thomson are playing their first games of the season but Moore had every confidence in them.
Much has been made of the new interpretations around the tackle area and scrums, and whether running rugby will emerge.
In pre-season games, the ball was certainly given more air but that was when nothing was at stake.
With competition points on the line, conservatism may return.
Certainly, no-one wants a return to the kick-fests of last year and the Highlanders do have some quality players in their back three to exploit any wayward kicking.
But for the Highlanders to win they need to play smart, dominate at the collision and stay calm in the tight situations.
The Crusaders played two pre-season games, beating the Blues and losing to the Reds.
Not to state anything too obvious, but Carter is a key for them. If he controls the game, it could be a long night for the men from the South.
• A Crusaders development XV is to play a Highlanders development XV in Pleasant Point at 2pm tomorrow.
