As Joe Porter writes, there's plenty on the line for Canterbury, Tasman, Wellington and Bay of Plenty.
Canterbury's Mitchell Dunshea is tackled by a Tasman player. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tasman were outgunned by Canterbury in last year's Premiership final, as the hosts claimed a record 8th Mitre 10 Cup title.
The Makos were only formed in 2006 and have been always be viewed as Canterbury's little brother.
Canterbury captain Jack Stratton and Tasman skipper Alex Ainsley. Photo: Supplied
Captain Alex Ainsley believes Tasman have stepped out of that red and black shadow, though he concedes a win over their southern rivals would taste particularly sweet.
"I think we've lost that little brother tag now you know we're good enough to be our own union and own entity. Obviously it's always a big game against Canterbury and we'd probably like to beat them more than anyone else. It means a lot to be in the final and it would mean a lot to win the Premiership, for us being a young union it would be huge."
Canterbury are the most dominant force in domestic rugby - tomorrow night in Christchurch they'll chase their ninth title in 10 years.
They're at short odds to win but captain Jack Stratton knows there's usually plenty of theatre when the two teams meet.
"It's always a ding dong battle between between Canterbury and Tasman and there's no lack of motivation for getting up. We're the Crusader region brothers and we're under no illusion what we're going to be faced with on Saturday night, it should be a good spectacle."
If Canterbury are out to extend their reign and Tasman to create history, then Wellington are vying to restore some pride.
Lions Julian Savea & Brad Shields/ Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Relegated to the Championship in 2014, the Lions have languished there ever since.
However they've heavy favourites to gain promotion when they host Bay of Plenty in tonight's final in Wellington.
Their return to the Premiership seems a forgone conclusion but captain Brad Shields says it's that kind of thinking they're trying to avoid.
"If you worry about the outcome too much you can get tripped up along the way so we're trying to focus on our performance. Our goal hasn't changed and that's to win the Championship and I think we've put ourselves in the best possible position to do that. We've just got to stick to our pattern, our structure and our game plan and what we've been doing well all year and hopefully we come out on top."
Wellington captain Brad Shields and BOP skipper Culum Retallick. Photo: Supplied
That superstition was evident across the finals captains, with Shields, Ainsley and Stratton refusing to touch the trophies for fear of jinxing their chances.
Bay of Plenty's Culum Retallick was the only skipper to break ranks, though he might have wished he hadn't, dropping the gong with an audible clang, much to the mirth of the others.
Retallick brushed off the display of clumsiness by claiming he was just checking to see how many beers it would hold.
He may never find out, with Bay of Plenty rank outsiders to upset the Lions tonight in Wellington.
-RNZ
