But you learn the most from those losses, especially being pipped by one point in a final.
Alhambra-Union are out for redemption after losing last year’s women’s division 1 final to Dunedin and will meet their old rivals in the final again at Forsyth Barr Stadium this afternoon.
"We’re definitely going to go all out," AU captain Bella Rewiri-Wharerau said.
AU have been the benchmark this season, wrapping up the regular season as the top seed with only the one loss.
That came at the hands of Dunedin 40-34 last month, after AU had the upper hand with a 28-0 victory from the opening round clash.
Rewiri-Wharerau was excited to get another shot at the title and felt their strength lay with their forward pack this season.
"We’re going to want to build on what we’ve been doing throughout the season and I guess getting a better connection between our forwards and our backs."
Meeting Dunedin in the final again — who they beat in the 2023 edition — was fitting.
"Every game against them, you never know what way it’s going to go really.
"We know they’ll come out firing."
Dunedin captain Oceana Campbell agreed it was a "good wee rivalry" the teams had built through the years.
"We find their side’s quite similar to ours," Campbell said.
"Both quite [strong] teams, but I think it is awesome to go play against them again for another final."
Campbell said her team are pumped for the final — but the slate had been wiped clean and being defending champions meant nothing now.
"In our minds that’s swiped from our heads, we’re nil-nil against AU.
"We’ve got nothing on them, they’ve got nothing on us. It’s just fresh minds."
Campbell felt her team’s connection across the park, and ability to pick themselves and keep going, no matter the scenario, had been key for their season.
"We have such a strong forward pack that we’re just hoping to muscle them up at the start of the game and then just rip out to the edges by the end of the game.
"Just making sure we’re earning that right to go wide first, that’s probably our key."
The Central Does will play AU Fillies in the division 2 final in a curtain raiser at 2.30pm.
The division 1 final kicks off at 4.30pm.
