"If any side's going to beat them, we're going to beat them."
The words of Pirates coach Phillip Morris have the weight of statistics on their side as dominant Ruapehu prepare to meet their sole bogey team in Ohakune tomorrow.
This is the one remaining litmus test - and desire to rub out their only blemishes - for the dominant competition leaders, who drew 16-16 with Pirates at Spriggens Park on April 20 to go with their back-to-back defeats to the city team in 2012.
In May last year at Rochfort Park, it was a Denning Tyrell drop goal sneaking over the bar that saw the visitors home 16-13, and they doubled the dose of pain later at Spriggens Park, 17-7.
Since April this year, Ruapehu have been nothing if not consistent, mowing down everyone, while the Pirates have had peaks and troughs yet are finding themselves on the crest at just the right time.
Morris said his men enjoyed the challenge of Ruapehu and after putting Taihape to the sword last week 39-15, have built on the momentum that started with their win over Marist.
Some of Pirates' tries against Taihape were their best this season and Morris said that they have always known that June/July was the domain of the contenders, not the pretenders.
"It's a confidence thing coming back into the team.
"Ruapehu's got strengths through their whole side, so we have to play smart.
"We'll target their strengths ... cut down their food chain.
"We know they've got bulk in the midfield, but we've also got bulk and we've got ball carriers."
Pirates welcome back a "caged lion" in centre Samu Etuaiti following his ten-game suspension, ironically in the match where Pirates lost the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield they are trying to regain tomorrow.
The "Man Upstairs" may determine the fates tomorrow - it's all about where he throws his lightening bolts.
As a cold weather bomb moves around the country, it could be a hard day under the mountain - Morris saying they are willing to just play along the tramlines if the track is wet.
"The weather will be playing a huge part in our play tactics, obviously.
"I think it's going to snow. We're preparing for the worst.
"I've told my boys to rug up. It's coming, and hopefully it'll be gone by Saturday afternoon."
While one might think a snow-white field may negate the island flair of Pirates' key men, Morris points out it will be all about field position.
When inspirational captain Lasa Ulukuta gets a roll on, he is hard to turn around and ten minutes camped in your danger zone can pass very quickly.
In other games tomorrow, teams four and five meet in Taihape as Kaierau look to take out a game they have been targeting.
Marton v Utiku will be another tough arm wrestle at Marton Park, while Border host Ratana at Waverley.