The first game of the 2017 Lions Tour begins in just seven days.
As fate would have it, Hawke's Bay (like almost every other provincial centre) isn't getting any game time. Rotorua has snared the marquee Lions v Maori All Blacks fixture - while we're simply set to watch the much-vaunted matches from afar.
While a provincial stop is a rarity (and let's not forget the South Island will host no tests at all) it still feels like we've been robbed.
Thing is, there's a shining light for us here. Rugby followers here will forever dine out on the infamous 1993 afternoon where the Magpies shocked the Lions on McLean Park to win 29-17.
The day holds special memories for me. It was a moment where a small union stepped into rugby folklore by slaying the best footy players the UK could muster. Not a bad effort at all from the black and white hoops.