It is new territory for most of his players, but Dunedin Technical coach Mike Fridge can call on recent experience to know what to expect in today's Chatham Cup final.
Of the Technical squad that has headed to North Harbour Stadium to play East Coast Bays, only veterans Blair Scoullar and Aaron Burgess have played in major finals.
Fridge was in the management team of Ross County when it won the Scottish Challenge Cup two years ago, and also helped brother Les win the North of Scotland Cup with Nairn County.
"Cup final days are fantastic. You've got to enjoy the occasion," Fridge said.
"In New Zealand, this is as big as it gets, and I want the boys to make the most of it."
Fridge was apologetic for offering a predictable response but he said the club had made a concerted effort to prepare for today's final as if it was just another game.
He had tried to keep his players grounded and focused to avoid them becoming overawed by the occasion.
"That could happen, I suppose. I've said to them this week we want them to stay relaxed and not even think about the game.
"I don't want boys sitting there stressing about the final. We want them to relax and let the game take care of itself," Fridge said.
It is hardly fair to highlight two players before such a game, but anyone with a skerrick of knowledge of Dunedin Tech knows the importance of Scoullar and Burgess.
Scoullar has played everywhere - both around the world and on the field - and what he has lost in pace he has gained in knowledge, while Burgess is one of the classiest finishers in the country.
"People forget Blair's been there before, back in the 1998 final.
And of course Burgess was there a year later and won it with Tech," Fridge said.
"The two of them have been in the final. They're the two most experienced players in the squad and I'm sure they'll have a wee word with the other players before we go out."
Technical fans have been nervously monitoring the fitness of Burgess since he suffered a hamstring injury three weeks ago.
The marksman has not played since then but has trained this week and Fridge believes he will be fine.
Burgess has scored a remarkable 29 goals in all competitions this year.
Nine years ago, he won the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for player of the Chatham Cup final as he scored one of Tech's goals in its 4-0 thumping of Waitakere.
"The one thing with Aaron is that he knows where the goal is. A guy like that is worth his weight in gold," Fridge said.
Dunedin Technical is in the odd situation of not being the best club in its own city, but having the chance to be a national champion.
Tech only managed third in the competitive Soccersouth premier league, though if it had turned just one of its three losses into a win, it would have claimed the league title.
Fridge said the defeats in the league had acted as motivation to get on a Cup run.
And playing great rivals Caversham and Roslyn-Wakari in the southern league had hardened Tech for games against northern opposition.
The coach is Scots through and through, but has learned how passionate Technical is about its club and the chance to win a second Chatham Cup.
"A lot of our players have been with Dunedin Tech for years or have family ties. It's great to have that connection.
"I've actually been quite surprised since I came here. I didn't know the history of the Chatham Cup but I've found out just how much it means to our club.
"People still talk about the 1999 final and to get back to the final is great. Hopefully, we can bring it back to Dunedin again."
Fridge has talked to people in Auckland to get some scouting reports on East Coast Bays and is prepared for a stiff challenge from the North Shore club.
