Retiring Highlanders coach Tony Brown has known the best of times and some less memorable times but Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal against the Blues represents a final chance to score a march in Auckland.
Melbourne have edged the Highlanders 31-30 in their final round clash but the Kiwi team grabbed a bonus point to leapfrog the Western Force into the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
With just two rounds remaining until the playoffs, round 14 provides an opportunity for teams to lock up a home playoff or confirm their spot in the top eight.
Taking on the Reds in the Suncorp Stadium hothouse in Brisbane is the latest challenge for the well-travelled Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific on Friday.
The Highlanders have cruelly denied Fijian Drua a historic win in their first Super Rugby Pacific match played at home, with a full house at Suva's ANZ Stadium unable to lift their team to victory.
Highlanders urgency meets Fijian Drua determination to achieve a win in their first game on home soil promises a memorable Super Rugby Pacific game in Suva on Saturday.
The Brumbies restored some pride in Australian rugby by claiming the first Kiwi scalp of Super Round with a hard-fought 28-17 victory over the Highlanders.