It's win or bust for the NSW Waratahs, whose Super Rugby season goes on the line against the red-hot Hurricanes on Saturday night.
The Waratahs face the grim prospect of losing touch with the top six with another defeat as yet another season full of hope and promise threatens to slip away.
After a disappointing loss to the Blues last week, the pivotal showdown with the New Zealand conference leaders at Allianz Stadium presents one last chance for the Waratahs to pocket some desperately-needed competition points ahead of a bye next round.
History shows few teams in the cut-throat Super Rugby championship have bounced back after going three weeks without collecting a point.
Such a dreaded scenario would leave the Waratahs languishing as low as 10th on the ladder and chasing their tails in pursuit of a finals berth when they resume their campaign in round 13.
"It's a really big game. We're at home and we need to win," said Waratahs vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper.
"If you look at last year, we were eight (wins) and eight (losses). We certainly don't want to be there this year.
"This next four weeks is a really important block for us."
Beyond the Hurricanes and the bye, the Waratahs host the lowly-rated Lions then play the Rebels in Melbourne.
But by then, the Waratahs' finals fate will be out of their hands if they don't conquer the Hurricanes.
"It's an important game in the context of the season," Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis said at Friday's captain's run.
"We've spoken a bit about the relevance of the result."
The Hurricanes are a formidable outfit, boasting an All Blacks-laden backline and riding a four-match winning streak to be top of the New Zealand conference.
"Their back three is going very well," Dennis said.
"Cory Jane, Savea and their 10 as well - Beaden Barrett - and then you've got a senior guy in Conrad Smith at 13.
"So their backs are going very well but they're obviously getting good go-forward with what the guys in front of them are doing.
"They're looking like a very complete team at the moment."
While the Hurricanes are on the charge, the Waratahs have slipped from first to sixth after three losses from their past six starts.
"We started the year well, but we haven't talked about going into a massive hole or anything. We just haven't got the results we've wanted," Dennis said.
"There's been some good rugby along the way when you look at it ... we're not panicking.
"We just know we need to be better if we're going to push on in the competition and this weekend is a great test for us."
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