The plan has not changed, nor has the opposition or the venue.
University is hopeful the afternoon will not feel too much like deja vu, though.
The students lost last year's final, 22-8, and will start as underdogs having lost to Pirates three times already this season.
The good news, from their perspective, is they have been closing the gap on the competition frontrunners.
They lost the first two encounters 38-11 and 35-8 but were much more competitive in the major semifinal two weeks ago, losing 26-18.
However, they managed to keep Pirates scoreless in the second half.
University captain Megan Manson said her side took a lot of confidence from that effort.
''We were well-beaten in the first hit-out but we've slowly improved with each game,'' Manson said.
''We played them last week and only lost by eight. We sort of felt afterwards that if there was another 10 minutes, we might have had them. We've definitely taken confidence from that.
''If we can put a full 80 minutes together then we definitely have a good chance.''
That said, Pirates is undefeated this season and will look to bully University up front.
''That will definitely be their game plan - to try to rumble it up the middle and put us under pressure.
''But we've got some pretty gutsy defenders. If we can hold them out, and then get the ball out to the backs, we can try to go around them.''
Manson has been playing first five-eighth but has made the move to fullback to help counter Pirates' strong kicking game.
University centre Rian Sanerive has made an impact since transferring south from the North Island.
She is very quick, has an eye for a gap and shapes as a key player.
Spirit loosie Georgia Mason and No 8 Tegan Hollows will be working overtime to help University snaffle possession.
Pirates will look no further than captain Angie Sisifa for inspiration. The Black Ferns loosie was a standout player for the Spirit last year. She hits hard and takes some tackling.
While Pirates is expected to dominate up front, Sisifa said her side was not one-dimensional.
''Our set piece is a strength of ours. But we're not just big but have a lot of experience as well, so I think that is definitely a bonus for us,'' Sisifa said.
''But, in saying that, we have speedy backs and people who can carve up across the park.''
Experienced centre Greer Muir and fullback Sheree Hume are pivotal players in the backline, while prop Gemma Tuhega makes her share of punishing runs.
Women's final
Pirates v University, Hancock Park, today, 2.45pm
University: Jo Ammundsen, Michaela Baker, Genevieve Cockburn, Julia Gorinski, Maira Haimona, Tegan Hollows, Stacey Hore, Jess Kendall, Megan Manson, Georgia Mason, Georgina McCullough, Sarah McIlroy, Marama Morunga, Maia Nixon, Sam Robins, Rian Sanerive, Asya Schmidt, Elizabeth Smith, Kate Smith, Samarra Soper, Lauren Tye, Bailley Unahi, Riria Vella, Kelly Whitten.
Pirates: Gemma Tuhega, Emily Rogers, Gabby Tili, Epe Elisara, Syreeta Norris, Jasmine Hastie, Maddi Finch, Angie Sisifa, Sam Wong, Larissa Muir, Vaci Vakalala, Sheree Hume, Greer Muir, Kristina Moa'atane, Kathryn Kibby, Nicky Whitworth, Marilie Mostert, Jess Tuhega, Rachel Ovens, Sepi Vea, Michaela Day, Gemma Millar, Julia Murphy, Resa Lepa.
