New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is treating Tuesday's match against Australia in Hamilton as the most important in the series.
Australia leveled the series 1-1 after its win in the second game of the Chappell-Hadlee series at Eden Park on Saturday, setting up a thrilling encounter as each side pushes to gain an upper-hand.
"I think that this is probably the most important game of the series. I think the team that can go 2-1 up just needs one more to take the series so we're going to put everything into this game," Vettori said.
"We enjoy playing here, it's a great cricket ground so the boys are excited about being here."
The series so far has been nothing short of dramatic after New Zealand's opening win in a fiery encounter in Napier to be followed by a determined Australian win three days later.
Vettori said he had enjoyed the series and felt the New Zealand public was getting everything they would want from the most anticipated cricket tour of the year.
"I think it's [the series] been fantastic, especially with the Christchurch Twenty20 and these first two (ODIs)," he said.
"I think everyone knows that New Zealanders want us to win, but if they see good games then they'll be happy. Whatever the result is, I think New Zealanders are happy if it's a good game.
"They (Australia) always respect us. They've played better than us in a lot of games but the Chappell-Hadlee series is pretty important to us so they understand that we really get up for it and we want to win it.
"It's not like they back-off at all, I just like to think that we've stepped-up."
Unfortunately for Vettori and the New Zealand side, injuries are once more playing a big role in the series with the latest casualties, Ross Taylor and James Franklin, both at 50 percent fitness.
Although both players trained on Monday, Vettori said he would not risk all-rounder Franklin if he was not fully fit but will allow Taylor to play if he can make the field.
Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart has been called in as cover and could find himself batting in the middle-order against Australia in his first game in the New Zealand side.
The 27-year-old said it was a shock to get the call-up but will treat it like any other game if he gets the nod to play on Tuesday.
"It's a big shock, I've worked hard these last couple of years," he said, on the back of a double century for Canterbury on Sunday in New Plymouth.
"I'm confident but it's just another game so I'll be taking it like that.
"Yeah it [playing Australia first up] will definitely be a dream. When you make your debut you want to play against the best and see where you're at."