"It's kind of the story of a couple of games this season," said Marist coach Travers Hopkins.
"We compete for 40-50 minutes, then they get away on us.
"I'm not sure what it is. We went up confident, but Chock [Craig Clare] just had one of those games, where he was kicking it from anywhere on the field."
With seven players named in the wider Steelform Whanganui squad, Marist should be reaching the point of getting over a Border or Byford's Readimix Taihape, yet have still lost to both by clear margins.
But there is never a mental block against Kaierau – too many friendships, rivalries and in some cases, bad blood exists between the squads – with Hopkins requiring no psychological ploys at training this week.
"Regardless of who's who, the boys are definitely keen on that," he said.
"It's getting to that backs-against-the-wall stage."
The bad weather over the past two weeks has reduced Spriggens to its muddiest – reminiscent of 12 months ago when Marist slipped past McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu 17-13 to ultimately end their run of 13 seasons of semifinal appearances.
It was a day where the uniforms were so muddy that forwards struggled to tell friend from foe.
Marist have the muscle up front with in-form Keightley Watson, while Canadian import Marc Ouellet graduated to being his starting prop partner in recent games.
However, given the opponent, Hopkins was toying with starting with veteran Cameron Neilson, one of the standouts in the May 5 win.
"We're just looking at what we know of Kaierau, and how they play, and what we can do with Cam.
"I think this year our forwards have really stepped up – adapted really well to different conditions.
"[The ground's] very much what you'd expect from June rugby.
"The boys hold their mettle, and we'll get the result we need."
Marist will have to go ahead without their star first-five Rangi Kui, who scored the winning converted try last year against Ruapehu and contributed 21 points in the Kaierau win.
Regular fullback Paiki Ponga took over the cutter against Border, picking up the man of the match award, while outside him Daniel Kauika takes on added playmaking work and the goal kicking.
To say Kaierau have taken this match dead seriously is an understatement – having had a bye and the Queen's Birthday weekend break when Whanganui's game with Wairarapa was cancelled, co-coaches Tony McBride and Te Hau Teki organised added Saturday sessions.
"It's all on this one – that's it," McBride said.
"We've changed our approach a bit, as a group of players."
Previously, Kaierau had taken a wider view on how they were going to get back to the premier final this year, perhaps looking past some teams.
But after four losses, they aren't worrying about next week – it's one game at a time and sudden death for all.
"We made a decision that if we're going to make the semis, we have to win every game," said McBride.
"It's also good we're as close to full strength as we've been this season."
Whanganui wider-squad halfback Caleb Gray missed the Marist match, while influential lock Josh Lane limped off early – both are now fit and ready, as well as skipper Ethan Robinson completing his suspension.
McBride well remembers Kaierau's penalty count for offside at the breakdown was a killer in their previous meeting, where Marist got the advantage in both scrum and lineout.
Knowing Spriggens is likely to be a mud heap, Kaierau are totally expecting another tight tussle where the best set-piece carries the day.
"Absolutely – training's been fun the last two weeks because it's been torrential rain and hail.
"We've been preparing for the last two weeks fully for this game."
The other derby clash up the Waitotara Valley will see if Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri can make lightning strike twice against Border, after they defeated a very understrength home side 14-0 in the Duck Shooting night match on May 4.
Premier draw (2.35pm kickoffs)
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist vs Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, Spriggens Park
Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri vs Waverley Harvesting Border, Waitotara Valley
Bye: Byford's Readimix Taihape.
