Regardless of the result in Saturday's Cricket World Cup clash against Pakistan, the White Ferns accept their home tournament run is over.
Losses to the West Indies, Australia, South Africa and England have left New Zealand needing a string of possible, yet highly improbable results, if they're to reach the tournament semi-finals, with their pool game at Hagley Oval almost certainly the last of their campaign.
New Zealand will take the field at Christchurch with the backing of a crowd unhampered by COVID-19 restrictions, giving the Ferns a chance to finish on a high in front of their families, friends and supporters.
But their swansong comes much earlier than they'd have wanted and they will watch the knockouts as spectators, rather than competitors.
Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu will sit out of the clash with a hamstring injury, while captain Sophie Devine hopes to turn out, after injuring her back in last week's defeat to England.
Even though the White Ferns can still mathematically qualify for the final four, the team have accepted they've lost their chance at a first World Cup win since 2000.
"I think we've got to be realistic about it," Devine says. "I don't know the exact numbers, but we do know this is likely our final game here and that's how we want to play it.
"Bob [Carter] mentioned at training earlier today that tomorrow will be our final.
"It's not the final that we thought we would be playing in, but we've got so much passion and pride that we want to make sure we go out tomorrow and really put on a performance that we're certainly proud of, but also all our friends and family and the rest of New Zealand are really proud of as well."
While the White Ferns' losses make for upsetting reading to Kiwi supporters, neutrals can enjoy that New Zealand's defeats have predominantly been as a result of thrilling, entertaining cricket.
The losses to West Indies and South Africa both came in the final over of their respective matches, while last week's defeat to England was also a low-scoring thriller.
Putting her individual disappointment aside, Devine insists the tournament has been the perfect advertisement for the women's game.
"It's a really hard one to reflect on at the moment, it's still pretty raw" she says. "We've got a game tomorrow and all our energy is focussed on that.
"But for me, so far, I think the tournament's been fantastic. Honestly, this has probably been one of the most competitive, high-scoring competitions that I've been involved in and I've been around for a while.
"The way that teams have batted, in particular, has been outstanding. A lot of credit has to go to the groundstaff and what's been prepared in New Zealand, which I'm very proud of.
"I just think it's been fantastic. To see scores of 250 plus, 300 at the start of the tournament, with Australia and England, shows the growth of the women's game. When we get put on great cricket wickets, you get fantastic results.
"I'm extremely proud of my team and all the other teams here, but also the work that's gone in behind this tournament, because it's been a long run.
"I'm very thankful and grateful for everyone that's done their part to make this tournament possible."
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