Gladstone will be leaving nothing to chance when they meet the Rams in a Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow.
Remarkable as it might seem considering they won the Tui Cup main championship only last season, Gladstone are currently in danger of not even qualifying for that competition in 2012.
Right now they are eighth on the points table and with the top eight teams at the end of one full round of matches going through to the Tui Cup series they will be keen to distance themselves from those below them.
A loss to the young and relatively inexperienced Rams unit would be a huge blow for Gladstone.
The 6-6 draw against Marist last weekend gave the Rams their first points of the season and it's hard to imagine them testing a Gladstone side which, on paper at least, should have a decent advantage up front, and even more so in the backs.
Two of the newcomers to Gladstone this season in Cameron Heyton and Guy Wood were part of the Wairarapa-Bush XV which performed so creditably against New Zealand Universities on Tuesday and they both did enough - Heyton on the wing and Wood at fullback - to suggest they could be serious contenders for the Heartland championship squad.
Providing a Gladstone pack which will have the in-form Andrew McLean showing the way earns their share of quality possession Heyton and Wood should show their attacking skills tomorrow ... even more so if talk that exciting halfback Inia Katia will be wearing the Gladstone No 9 jersey is accurate.
Rams, for their part, must be about to welcome flanker Chris Senior back to the fold and his presence would be a huge fillip, not only because of his ability in the loose but also because of his leadership skills.
Just down the road at the Jean Street grounds in Masterton Pioneer will be hotly favoured to keep their unbeaten record intact against Marist.
Recent history does show that Marist often save their best efforts for these particular clashes but such is the confidence in the Pioneer camp anything less than a 30 point winning margin to them would be a surprise.
They are sure to play the expansive style of rugby which has served them so well.
Former Marist player Daniel Blong has slotted in well in midfield for Pioneer where he has struck up an impressive partnership with Tommy Harmon and there was a lot to like about the speed and aggression of young Nikora Ewe when he made an appearance on the wing against Carterton last weekend.
East Coast and Puketoi will square off at Whareama in what should be another entertaining match. Much here could depend on the ability of Puketoi to dominate the forward exchanges as the depth of attacking talent in the East Coast backline is such that if they get even a reasonable share of quality ball they will probably run their opposition ragged.
The sad loss of Eroni Ravaga-Gaunavou has robbed Puketoi of their most explosive back and they will now be relying on fellow Fijian Epeli Rayaqayaqa to spark their rearguard.
Martinborough have yet to taste defeat this season but they can expect a challenge when they host Carterton tomorrow.
The maroons spoiled an otherwise brave showing against a rampant Pioneer last weekend with some sloppy defence and you can wager that coach Steve Hurley has had some stern words to say.
Their lightest player, fullback Inkoe Rasabale, was Carterton's best defender in the Pioneer match and he showed real flair on attack as well.
Also impressing for his high workrate was lock Lachie McFadzean and he continued in the same vein when he turned out for the Wairarapa-Bush XV on Tuesday.
Martinborough will be fancying the prospects of a pack led by Wilba Davies, Jared and Josh Hawkins and Adam Marshall gaining enough of an edge up front to keep the likes of Rasabale in check. Manage that and they should sneak the win.
Greytown are at the very bottom of the points table going into their game with Eketahuna at Greytown and they will be desperate to make the most of their home advantage.
Greytown's Johan Van Vliet and Rupeni Tamani have both been in outstanding form in the loose.