The second cricket test in Christchurch gets underway on Saturday and as well as being the farewell match for Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, it's also a chance for Australia to secure the top spot in world cricket.
A draw is all Australia needs to achieve that target, but they'll have to do so without injured bowler Peter Siddle who was ruled out after suffering back spasms.
He'll remain with the squad in Christchurch for the test before returning to Melbourne for further investigation.
Assuming he's fit James Pattinson will slot into the side.
All-rounder Mitch Marsh says the squad is well aware of what becoming the top test nation means.
"If it happens this test match it'll be a great achievement for this group being a young group. But if it doesn't happen then we'll keep striving towards that number one goal. It's not too much of a distraction but we're certainly very determined to make it happen."
A League action gets underway Friday night with Melbourne Victory taking on Adelaide United.
Many experts are predicting that third-placed Adelaide has the momentum to go all the way this year and win a maiden title.
The Victory could move above Adelaide with a win.
But while both sides are intent on winning, the situation regarding Tim Cahill's possible availability is also on their radar.
The Socceroos striker is now a free agent after being sensationally cut by his Chinese Super League team.
According to Victory coach Kevin Muscat he'd be welcomed with open arms by his club.
"Ultimately at this point in time he's got some decisions to make personally, but he'd certainly be welcomed back, from my perspective, into the A-League."
Cahill can't join any A-League clubs until next season because the final transfer window for season 11 has closed.
The Melbourne Victory versus Adelaide match can be seen on SBS Two from 7.30pm Eastern Daylight time.
In England this weekend, Arsenal's assault on a third successive FA Cup trophy goes on the line when the Gunners play Hull City in the quarter-finals.
In the other matches, Reading meets West Brom, Watford takes on Leeds and Everton travels to Bournemouth.
In Spain Barcelona's six-point lead at the top doesn't look under serious threat when the Catalans travel to play third-from-bottom club Las Palmas.
And in Italy, leaders Juventus travels to Bologna holding a 1 point lead over Napoli, who don't play until Tuesday morning Australian time when they visit Fiorentina.
Women's Golf will take centre stage this weekend in Adelaide with the staging of the Australian Open at the Grange course with a familiar name, five-time champion Karrie Webb, amongst the leading contenders.
Webb has been overtaken at the top of the local rankings by Minjee Lee.
The 19 year old's parents migrated to Australia from South Korea in 1996 and the chance to win her home title is something she's always wanted.
"It's a tournament that I've always wanted to win, the Aussie Open, it's your national championship so I've got high expectations for myself to play well especially at home because I know these conditions pretty well."
All the Australian Super Rugby sides will be involved in various pre-season warm-up games over the weekend ahead of the season kick-off next week.
This year the competition has been expanded with three new teams from South Africa, Japan and Argentina.
The Argentinian outfit, known as the Jaguares includes 24 interntional players in its ranks, while the Japanese side, the Sunwolves, are a lesser-known force.
The Japanese national side famously upset South Africa at last year's World Cup and for the teams playing against them this season, the expansion is an exciting prospect.
The New South Wales Waratahs' coach is Daryl Gibson and he believes the round 15 trip to play the Sunwolves will be one to remember.
"We play Japan up in Japan and we're looking forward to that and I think just the idea of going to a different country and one that's so diverse and different to our own is a good thing and a good experience for the guys."
Tonight, the Waratahs play their final pre-season game in Queenstown against the reigning Super Rugby champion Highlanders.
