With expectation comes pressure.
That's the short truth of the challenge facing the Hurricanes when they host the Southern Kings at Westpac Stadium in round five of the Investec Super Rugby season.
The Kings arrive in Wellington off the back of a 57-24 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch and without influential loose head prop Schalk Ferreira, who has returned home to Nelson Mandela Bay with concussion.
After a first up loss to the Cheetahs, and heavy defeats to the Chiefs, Sharks and Crusaders, few will be picking the Kings compete, let alone win at Westpac Stadium.
And that's where Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has laid down the challenge to his players as they run out in front of their Wellington fans for the first time in 2016.
It's easy to let standards slip when the expectation is a healthy win, but Boyd only need remind his players that four short weeks ago it was them who were being written off in some quarters following a heavy first up loss to the Brumbies.
Since then the Hurricanes have steadily improved, a one point loss to the Highlanders followed by a gutsy away win over the Blues and last week's 41-6 win against the Force in Palmerston North.
To make the challenge greater, Boyd's made several changes to his starting fifteen, resting All Blacks wing Julian Savea, and starting centre Willis Halaholo and lock Michael Fatialofa.
Boyd has also rejigged his reserves bench with Matt Proctor returning from a knee injury and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and lock Geoff Cridge set to make their Super Rugby debuts after battling a leg infection and shoulder injury respectively during the opening weeks of the season.
What to expect?
The temptation will be to go wide and test the Kings outside backs early, but the main focus of halves Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara will be to put their side in the right part of the field.
Do that and the Kings are a side who like to kick rather than run out of their own territory, which could open up counterattacking opportunities for the back three of fullback James Marshall and wings Cory Jane and Jason Woodward.
The Kings have started each of their four matches well and what they lack in Super Rugby experience, they make up for in pride. Like all South African sides they have some gnarly customers in their pack led by veteran captain and lock Steven Sykes and are sure to come out firing.
Absorb that early energy and the Hurricanes will back themselves to find the try line later in the match.
Head to head
First five eighth: Beauden Barrett v Louis Fouche
Barrett's been all poise and measure in recent weeks, content to put those around him in space and kick his side into position. Against the Kings he may feel he can express himself a little more and if he does it could be a tough day for the visitors.
Fouche was once seen as Springbok star Morne Steyn's successor at the Bulls, but has instead seen his career twist its way to Port Elizabeth. A solid goal kicker running at 82 per cent this season, he'll be crucial to the Kings chances in Wellington.
Key points
Boyd has rotated his squad, resting Savea and rewarding Willis Halaholo and Michael Fatialofa for their strong cameos against the Force. Halaholo's been in scintillating form since the preseason and will be one to watch with his right foot step and eye for a gap. Thomson's move back to No 8 for the injured Victor Vito also holds plenty of intrigue. He's been a stand out at lock, but is best known for his ability to run in the open.
Key stats
The Hurricanes and Kings have played just once before, in March 2013 at Westpac Stadium. On that occasion the home side ran out 46-30 winners on an entertaining Wellington afternoon.
Although the score was reasonably close that day, the Hurricanes outscored the visiting team six tries to three.
The Kings were relegated out of Super Rugby after their first season in the competition before gaining re-entry this year. The club's overall Super Rugby record stands at 20 matches played for 16 losses, three wins and a draw.