The Otago Spirit have been in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship final before and those experiences will only add fuel to the fire for a team who many believe deserve to be in the top tier.
The Spirit came up short 33-3 against the Manawatu Cyclones in the final last year. For context, the Cyclones were dominant and now sit second in the Premiership.
But the one thing that lingers for many players is the 24-20 loss to Hawke’s Bay in 2022, after the Spirit went unbeaten through the regular season.
The Spirit get another shot on Sunday when they host the Northland Kauri in the final.
Coach Matt Direen said returning to the Premiership would be fantastic recognition for the groundwork the Otago players had laid.
"I think more as a reward for the work a number of players have put in over the years and still probably have a bit of a bitter taste from the game a few years ago down in Balclutha when they missed out on promotion.
"It’ll be great to cap off the season for the girls that are experiencing it for the first time but also those that have been around for a season or two."
The Spirit won the Championship in 2019 and were promoted to the Premiership.
They were thumped 72-24 by Canterbury in their final game of the Premiership before being relegated, but the Spirit have made massive strides in recent years.
The Spirit have been the in-form team this season and are on an unbeaten run after six games.
They overcame the North Harbour Hibiscus 31-22 in their semifinal last week to advance to the final.
Direen was happy with the opportunities they created, but they "probably shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times" with their decision-making.
They will host the final at Tahuna Park — Forsyth Barr Stadium was ruled out with monster trucks — in front of a home crowd.
"It’s nice to have a home one as opposed to travelling away. That makes a difference.
"Stoked — this is what we wanted and what we hoped to achieve."
Northland, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, are always a tough task with a big pack, anchored by former Black Fern Krystal Murray.
But the Spirit toppled Northland 48-15 earlier this season and Direen wanted the Spirit to keep playing their free-flowing, ball-in-hand game that has worked well throughout the season.
"Just making sure we don’t get trapped into playing their game and that we take a few risks and we play wide and expansive rugby, which has been our success.
"Sometimes in a final we can get a wee bit scared to try a few things, but hopefully these girls know that we’ll back them and they can just full express themselves."
There is good news for Spirit fans. Hard-working lock Leila Hill, who left the field injured during the semifinal, has been cleared to play, as has stalwart back Sheree Hume, who has recovered from a hand complaint.
