For Queensland's leaders, there will likely be much more on the line than simply avoiding the ignominy of being swept in Wednesday's third and final game of the 2021 State of Origin series on the Gold Coast.
While coach Paul Green and captain Daly Cherry-Evans will be doing their utmost to salvage some pride and avoid becoming the first team to lose all three games at home, they'll also be trying to ensure they keep their job for next year.
NZ Warriors consultant and former NSW coach Phil Gould believes Green will lose his position regardless of the result, criticising his selections, leadership and negativity after the Game Two loss in Brisbane.
On Tuesday, Green wouldn't be drawn too deep into that discussion, but admits the Maroons desperately need to let their performance do the talking.
"There's nothing I can say; what's going to count is how we play tomorrow night," he says.
"The time for talking's probably done, we need to show some actions and that counts tomorrow night.
"That's (my future as Queensland coach) out of my hands, I'm not even worried or thinking about it.
"Just stick solid, stick by us, we'll be right."
The goodwill surrounding Cherry-Evans after leading last year's underdog Queeslanders to an improbable series win has also rapidly faded.
The Manly Sea Eagles half admits the job security of both himself and his coach will be dependent on the team's display at Robina Stadium.
"With that sort of stuff we understand that situation," Cherry-Evans says.
"If you're not winning games of footy the coach and playing group, in particular the leaders, come under the most scrutiny.
"If we get a win tomorrow night it's going to help Greeny retain his job - and players like myself - but I'm really confident in where we are and what we're doing.
"Greeny's doing the best job he can and unfortunately the results haven't reflected the hard work he's put in, but it comes with the territory when you're down 2-0 in the series."
"I might be a little crazy, but I think I'm going to win every game I play and tomorrow night's no different."
On the flipside of the coin, NSW coach Brad Fittler isn't resting on his laurels, eager to claim a special slice of Origin history by claiming a whitewash on enemy territory.
Originally scheduled to be played in Sydney, the worsening COVID-19 situation in the region forced a relocation to Newcastle. But the NSW Government refused to allow fans to attend due to the threat of spreading the virus, resulting in a shift across the border to the Gold Coast.
The Blues haven't scored a 3-0 win over their rivals since 2000.
"Until they do that (sweep Queensland on home soil) then you just win another series and that's about it," Blues coach Brad Fittler said.
"It would be a big part of history I think if we're able to do that ... thinking about that, it's pretty cool."
Making that proposition slightly tricker will be the need to integrate Blues' new halves combination of Mitchell Moses and Jack Wighton, with the outstanding Panthers pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarime Luai ruled out with injury.
The Maroons will also be without key forward Jai Arrow, who has been fined and suspended for breaching the NRL's COVID-19 protocols by bringing a woman into the team's hotel. Arrow has been replaced by Titans prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
New South Wales: 1. James Tedesco (capt), 2. Brian To'o, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Mitch Moses, 8. Dale Finucane, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Cameron Murray, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Isaah Yeo.
Bench: Api Koroisau, Angus Crichton, Payne Haas, Liam Martin.
Queensland: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Valentine Holmes, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), 8. Christian Welch, 9. Ben Hunt, 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
Bench: AJ Brimson, , Moeaki Fotuaika, Thomas Flegler, Frank Molo.
Join us from 9:45pm Wednesday for live updates of the third and final State of Origin match
