For four Wanganui Premier teams, life after 4.15pm tomorrow afternoon does not exist - all their energies will be spent by that point.
Semifinal rugby has arrived and while it may appear the undefeated Ruapehu have a by-the-numbers task against the young Taihape outfit in Ohakune, you will never hear coach Chris Winter utter such words.
Opposing Border and Pirates coaches Peter Richardson and Phillip Morris make few predictions either as Premier's closest rivalry in 2013 plays out its final chapter in Waverley.
"One point our way - I'd take half a point," said Morris, looking back on the two games decided against them by the barest margins (16-15, 17-16) this year. "Both sides have upped their intensity since then. We'll have to go in as underdogs."
Morris has been happy with the time management over five training sessions, coupled with a full squad and no injury concerns.
"We'll try not to let the country boys clean up everything. It's our final, that's the attitude we're taking."
Key will be the effort of Wanganui MVP Lasa Ulukuta - the Pirates captain repaying the faith that Morris showed him at the start of the season.
"Every week he's just stepped up with his leadership and general play."
Morris also said they were taking no notice of Border's shock 35-15 loss to Marist last Saturday where Richardson chose to rest kingpin Mark Davis while giving some of his Wanganui squad reps a turn on the bench.
"That's about it on the subject. A bit of a hiccup but only a small speed bump on what's been a good season," the Border coach said.
"It's semifinal rugby and you can bring out all the cliches and they all fit for this game."
He is hoping the Dallison Park crowd will lift his team, while tomorrow's weather forecast of a little rain could favour the country boys.
"There will be that bit where it doesn't go our way. The key for us, if we hold it together for that 80 minutes we'll come out on top."
In a match guaranteed to be tight, much could ride on the symphony of the whistle.
With Sean Moore up in Ohakune, young Ben Lourie will run proceedings in Waverley - Morris noting his doling out of three yellow cards in the Taihape vs Utiku local derby last week.
"It's going to be intense, this is the end of the season for one team, hopefully he lets it flow and we see a bit of rugby."
Even with his opposite Kerry Whale currently overseas and looking back on comprehensive maulings (40-8, 48-7) of Taihape this year, Winter would never dare let lethargy enter his charges.
"Like I've said all year, we don't underestimate any team.
"We'll give a hard game and expect a hard game back. They're tactically good, strong on the outside down the wings - they use the ball.
"Our forwards have dominated.
"[We'll win] as long as we lift our intensity and have that for 80 minutes."
Ruapehu rested a couple of key players against Ratana and had to work hard for their 29-19 win, but Winter said the bumps from the previous fortnight game against Border have dispersed.
"Everyone's back in this week, it was precautionary. Only Fraser Hammond remains under a cloud, with his knee."
It will also be the Premiers' final home match in front of their people under the mountain.
"The support has been overwhelming this year, so definitely this one will be for them."
In the consolation semi-finals, it will be another keenly contested clash in the Rangitikei sub-union as Marton host Ratana, while back at the Country Club the home team Kaierau will have their hands full with a resurgent Marist.