Die-hard fans are sticking loyally by the Bay of Plenty Steamers this week following the side's fourth consecutive defeat.
But the optimism was not shared among all supporters.
Instead they were turning their attention from the ITM Cup to the hope of bringing the Ranfurly Shield home for the 10th Bay anniversary.
The Bay of Plenty side clocked up another loss in Wednesday night's match against Manawatu.
Bay born-and-bred Steamers fan Brendon Gardner was not letting the disappointing run waiver his loyalty to the side.
"Absolutely. You pick a team and you stick with them. They have their good times and their bad times."
And a turn in the tide was just around the corner, he said. "I think we're due for a win against North Harbour this weekend."
The team were battling their way through the second tier ITM Championship this season after being relegated from the Premiership last year.
"We're still keeping the faith, but it hasn't been good," he said.
Mr Gardner was one of a number of die-hard fans to establish the BOP Mafia fan group online close to 12 years ago, which continued to be busy on the site and Facebook.
"It gets popular when the team's doing really well or not very well. Everyone's got a different theory on what should be done," he said.
Bay icon and unofficial team mascot Hori BOP was as optimistic as ever about the Bay side yesterday. "Everyone thinks we're in trouble, but we're not. Have faith. We're just warming up for the holy grail of New Zealand rugby, the Ranfurly Shield."
But not all fans were so convinced.
Co-writer for BOP Mafia Nick Smith said he felt "disillusioned with the whole thing".
Mr Smith had been a dedicated Steamers fan since moving from the UK to the Bay in 1998 and managed a lot of the BOP Mafia site now. He still went to every home game but was reconsidering the dedicated trips to watch away games around the country, he said.
"We've now lost 12 games in a row and it can get very expensive and it may not be a good investment if you're preparing to lose before the game has even started."
The idea of a possible Ranfurly Shield match was nothing to look forward to for Mr Smith.
"I'm sort of dreading it, if we play like we did last time. I hate losing to Hawke's Bay as it is but if it's in a Shield match it'll be even worse."
The Steamers will take on North Harbour tomorrow in Rotorua and if Hawke's Bay maintain the Ranfurly Shield against Otago on Sunday, September 14, the Steamers will have a chance to challenge Hawke's Bay for the Shield on Saturday, September 20 in Napier.