The unpredictability of the 2014 Heartland rugby championship could work in Wairarapa-Bush's favour as the season progresses.
Sitting in ninth place with only two competition points, after a beating by King Country and a draw with Mid-Canterbury in their opening two games, the odds might seem to be against Wairarapa-Bush making it into the top four at the end of eight weeks of qualifying play, something which would earn them a place in the Meads Cup semifinals for the third successive year.
But if results from the first two rounds are anything to go by, the points table is set to change drastically from week to week and, that being the case, there is every chance those languishing at, or near, the bottom of the table will have significantly enhanced their position come the business end of the Heartland season.
Nothing better illustrates the unpredictability factor this year than the fate of the four Meads Cup semifinalists from 2013 - Mid-Canterbury, North Otago, Wairarapa-Bush and West Coast.
Mid-Canterbury started with a big win over West Coast before escaping with a rather fortuitous draw against Wairarapa-Bush, North Otago was beaten by Buller before disposing of Poverty Bay, Wairarapa-Bush took a thumping from King Country before bouncing back to share the spoils with Mid-Canterbury while West Coast have been on the end of hefty beatings from both Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury.