Rain. It's only a slim line of hope but Rotorua Maroons coach Wayne Fell will grasp it - in a bid to go back-to-back Tai Mitchell champions.
But to do that his team, who came fourth in the qualifying rounds, will have to overcome tournament favourites Te Puke on their home soil of Murray Salt Stadium this afternoon.
Te Puke have swept all before them, including a 58-3 thrashing of Maroons at the weekend.
On the last day of the Tai Mitchell qualifying rounds yesterday, Te Puke finished as the only unbeaten side.
They take on Fell's team in the, first plays fourth semi-final.
In the first game yesterday, Te Puke had to overcome a spirited first half performance from Opotiki, with Te Puke taking a 14-0 advantage into the halftime break.
However, Te Puke cut loose in the second spell to post a 61-0 victory.
Tauranga West finished the qualifying rounds in second place, with a 46-nil win over Whakatane, after leading by 19 points at the halfway stage.
Fellow Western Bay team Tauranga East cruised into the semi-finals with a 73-0 win against Rangitaiki.
The two Tauranga teams will play each other for the second plays third semi-final.
Rotorua Maroons showed glimpses of what they can do, in their 52-22 win over Galatea yesterday. But there were times when, especially in their forward pack, they got outmuscled by their much larger opponents.
Rotorua have plenty of attacking ability in the backs with captain Peter-John Cullen (who scored five tries against Galatea), Liam Hori-Clark and Elijah Tua having plenty of skill and gas to burn.
Fell said he was praying for rain for today's match in a bid to maybe unsettle Te Puke's game.
"They put on 50 points against us on Saturday and probably could have put on another 50 if they wanted.
"Our goal was to make the top four which we did and anything can happen in a semi but Te Puke are looking really good.
"We have a lot of young players in this team and it's about building for the future," Fell said.
"These kids have done really well and they will be brilliant next year."
Rotorua Gold had a solid 21-5 win against Apanui in their final match at the tournament.
Gold will play Galatea for a place in the Bill Murray Trophy (plate final).
Opotiki take on Rangitaiki for the other spot in the plate final.