Starved of regular rugby due to the constraints of Covid-19, Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off in Dunedin on Saturday with the home-town Highlanders looking to get their season off to the best of starts against the Chiefs.
Under the cover of the roofed Forsyth Barr Stadium, in the middle of winter, the prospects are that both teams are going to be set to unleash some pent-up frustration reflecting the community at large.
Having been in lockdown for so long, fans are looking to reconnect with their game and two teams that like nothing more than moving the ball to effect should offer some classy entertainment.
Battling through the traditional Super Rugby season earlier in the year, the Highlanders had managed one win but with a loud home crowd behind them, they will be incentivised to pay them back with a win.
However, a determined Chiefs side is quite capable of pouring on its pressure, although it might face a struggle in the battle between the front fives.
The visitors look to be most vulnerable in lineout play but could compensate for that in the loose, although they will be without their skipper and flanker Sam Cane who wasn't risked due to tightness in his back.
But that creates another chance for form flanker in the early season, Lachlan Boshier, to cash in on the chance to celebrate his 50th cap for the Chiefs. Joining him in the loose will be Luke Jacobson restored to full health after concussion issues that denied him the chance to play in last year's Rugby World Cup. The extra time off due to the lockdown will only have worked to his advantage.
Under the intended policing of the breakdown, the ball-handling of Jacobson could be just the boost for No.8 Pita Gus Sowakula to run off him and test the home defence.
By their any measure, the Highlanders are not without a competitive streak in the loose where All Blacks Dillon Hunt and Shannon Frizell are well capable of setting their own pace. Add to that the power of Marino Mikaele Tu'u and the prospects are lively.
Coach Aaron Mauger has brought Josh Ioane back into the first five-eighths role with Mitch Hunt dropping back to fullback. That is in contrast to Warren Gatland's call to use Kaleb Trask at first five-eighths with Aaron Cruden off the bench.
Both players will have plenty riding on their controlling influence and creation of opportunities for key players outside them: Jona Nareki and Rob Thompson for the Highlanders and Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui and Anton Lienert-Brown.
The prospects are intriguing, not just because of rugby's return but also due to the rivalries across the field.
Prediction: Chiefs pressure to tell and a win for the visitors.
Highlanders: 1.Ayden Johnstone, 2.Ash Dixon (captain), 3.Siate Tokolahi, 4.Paripari Parkinson, 5.Josh Dickson, 6.Shannon Frizell, 7.Dillon Hunt, 8.Marino Mikaele Tu'u, 9.Aaron Smith, 10.Josh Ioane, 11.Jona Nareki, 12.Patelesio Tomkinson, 13.Rob Thompson, 14.Sam Gilbert, 15.Mitch Hunt.
Substitutes: 16.Liam Coltman, 17.Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18.Jeff Thwaites, 19.Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20.Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21.Kayne Hammington, 22.Teihorangi Walden, 23.Vilimoni Koroi.
Chiefs: 1.Aidan Ross, 2.Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3.Nepo Laulala, 4.Mitchell Brown, 5.Tupou Vaa'i, 6.Luke Jacobson, 7.Lachlan Boshier, 8.Pita Gus Sowakula, 9.Brad Weber (captain), 10.Kaleb Trask, 11.Sean Wainui, 12.Anton Lienert-Brown, 13.Quinn Tupaea, 14.Shaun Stevenson, 15.Damian McKenzie.
Substitutes: 16.Bradley Slater, 17.Ryan Coxon, 18.Ross Geldenhuys, 19.Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20.Dylan Nel, 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22.Aaron Cruden, 23.Etene Nanai-Seturo.