Others might seek guidance from history, but Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam says the Super Rugby qualifying final against the Brumbies is a match that stands on its own.
The two sides met in the final last year, the Chiefs prevailing 27-22 in Hamilton to secure a second successive title.
The Brumbies gained some revenge on Anzac Day with a convincing 41-23 victory at home.
For Messam, what's gone on before carries little significance ahead of this weekend's clash in Canberra for a place in the semi-finals.
"A lot of people talk about momentum when you come into play-offs, but I'm a big believer that's it's a one-off," he said.
"If you do everything for this one game, then you should be alright. That's what we have to do - focus day by day in our training and get into Saturday night and just rip into it."
Messam also sees a big difference between the Chiefs squad that headed for the Australian capital on Wednesday and the one that "got a bit of a hiding, got a bit embarrassed" there last time around.
In April, they were without several injured players, including co-skipper Aaron Cruden, halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and openside flanker Tanerau Latimer.
But Messam also feels they've grown during an up-and-down campaign.
"We've gone through a lot of hard times as a team," he said.
"But I'm really confident that those hard time have made us stronger as a unit and as a family."
After three losses in a row left them in must-win territory with two rounds to go, the Chiefs clinched their play-off spot by beating the Hurricanes and the Blues.
That left them fifth on the table, a position from which no side have gone on to win the title.
"It's a different challenge and it's going to be a tough challenge," Messam said.
"This time we're on the road and Canberra's a tough place to win. We're doing all the right things that we can to make sure we're in the right mindset."
Coach Dave Rennie is hopeful veteran hooker Mahonri Schwalger, who is carrying a shoulder injury, will be available.
However, midfielder Charlie Ngatai is at least another week from returning from his own shoulder problem.
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