So much to gain, so much to lose, the Hurricanes face a test of character when the play the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
The Hurricanes headed across the ditch on the back of a four match winning streak that's put them in touching distance of the top of Investec Super Rugby's New Zealand Conference.
Awaiting coach Chris Boyd's side in Melbourne is a Rebels side that has been the surprise package of the Australian Conference of which they are co-leaders with the Brumbies heading into round eight of the season.
The Hurricanes head into the match as favourites after scoring 40+ points in their last three games, the first time the club has achieved such an emphatic streak since 1997.
However, Boyd knows there will be no room for complacency against a Rebels team that are fresh off their bye week and still high on confidence after their historic first away win over the Waratahs in Sydney.
Put simply, the winner of this match will go close to topping their conference while the loser will slide quickly down the ladder despite their previous form. Dealing with that pressure will be key for both teams.
The talking point for the Hurricanes this week has been the new-look midfield of Vince Aso and Matt Proctor, who will combine in Super Rugby for the first time.
Aso takes over from Ngani Laumape at second five, while Proctor shifts in from the wing to take the No 13 jersey from Willis Halaholo.
It's a bold move from Boyd, but also a show of faith in the depth the Hurricanes are building in their back division.
Aso and Proctor face a big task against former All Black and Hurricanes utility Tamati Ellison and hard running Rebels stalwart Mitch Inman.
But backs aside, the decisive battle in Melbourne is likely to be in the loose forwards.
Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan has named an unchanged side to the one which beat the Waratahs including three high class flankers in former All Black Adam Thomson, Sean McMahon and Jordy Reid.
The Rebels are one of the competition's most efficient sides at the ruck where they recycle the ball 96 per cent of the time.
The key for the Hurricanes will be the ability of Victor Vito, Ardie Savea and Brad Shields to match their opposites and for their defence to weather the inevitable multi-phase attacks that have become the hallmark of the Rebels play this season.
As has been the case for most of the season, the Hurricanes less proven players continue to step up to the mark and this week it's hard running lock/loose forward Vaea Fifita who has been called on to start following a knee injury to Blade Thomson.
Fifita will partner Michael Fatialofa in the second row where they will be up against the quality Rebels duo of the hulking Lopeti Timani and the rangy Luke Jones.
The Hurricanes record against the Rebels in Super Rugby is played four, won three, lost one and drawn none including a 36-12 win in Wellington last season.
But if the visitor's need any reminder of how tough it can be in Melbourne they need only to cast their minds back to 2011 when the Rebels posted their first win over a New Zealand club during a 42-25 that proved costly for then Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett's campaign.
One Hurricanes player who is sure to reinforce the size of the challenge head is fullback Jason Woodward.
Woodward played 26 matches for the Rebels in 2013-2014 and was the club's leading point's scorer with 210 before joining the Hurricanes last year.
TEAMS
Hurricanes: 15: Jason Woodward 14: Cory Jane 13: Matt Proctor 12: Vince Aso 11: Julian Savea 10: Beauden Barrett 9: TJ Perenara (vc) 8: Victor Vito 7: Ardie Savea 6: Brad Shields 5: Michael Fatialofa 4: Vaea Fifita 3: Jeff To'omaga-Allen 2: Dane Coles (c) 1: Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Ben May, Mark Abbott, Tony Lambourn, Jamison Gibson-Park, Otere Black, Ngani Laumape
Rebels: 15: Reece Hodge 14: Dom Shipperley 13: Tamati Ellison 12: Mitch Inman 11: Cam Crawford 10: Jack Debreczeni 9: Nic Stirzaker (c) 8: Adam Thomson 7: Sean McMahon 6: Jordy Reid 5: Lopeti Timani 4: Luke Jones 3: Laurie Weeks 2: James Hanson 1: Toby Smith. Reserves: 16. Pat Leafa 17. Cruze Ah Nau 18. Jamie Hagan 19. Sam Jeffries 20. Scott Fuglistaller 21. Ben Meehan 22. Dan Hawkins 23. Sefa Naivalu