The key is not to get too excited, pass out and forget the whole event.
"It is like a birthday. It is not like any other game," Herring said.
"And like a birthday you don’t not want to get so excited you start drinking at nine in the morning and are asleep by lunchtime.
"You want to remember it and what makes it special is the people who share it with you. We’re looking at it that way."
Basically, the message is to embrace the challenge, keep a lid on the nervous energy and enjoy the occasion. If they get to unwrap the Ranfurly Shield at the end of the night, then it is a bonus.
It is not just a big day for the players, it will also be a memorable occasion for the staff as well. As a player, Herring was lucky enough to play in a Shield game. He scored two tries for Southland when it challenged Canterbury in 2002.
Canterbury won comfortably, of course. It had powerful line-up featuring the likes of All Black greats Richie McCaw, Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall.
"I remember it was not too big of a deal at the time because we were at very long odds against a stacked Canterbury team back in those days. There was a ridiculous amount of All Blacks playing.
"So we just wanted to get out there and enjoy it and we did as well as we could have."
While Southland was a raging underdog, Otago’s prospects look much brighter.
The team was well beaten by Tasman at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday. But that game always had a the feeling of match the home side was just trying to get through unscathed.
Herring has brought back his gun Super Rugby players for the Shield challenge and Otago’s strength is in its potent backline.
Winger Jona Nareki has been in magical form. First five-eighth Josh Ioane has grown in the pivot’s role, centre Matt Faddes has rediscovered his confidence and Michael Collins is a proven performer at fullback who has kept crafty playmaker Vilimoni Koroi on the bench.
"There is a quiet confidence in the group but everyone is keeping it in check. But there is a feeling if we perform well then we’ve got every chance."
Lock Tom Rowe was a late scratching. He has a shoulder complaint, which means Sione Misiloi will start with Josh Larsen providing cover from the bench.
Herring has put his faith in young prop Jonah Aoina and loosie Slade McDowall has received a vote of confidence as well. McDowall is starting ahead of the likes of Nualia Dawai and James Lentjes, who is making his way back from a neck injury.
Herring expects Waikato will play a "league" style of rugby. The home team will look to hit the ball up and probe for a weaknesses.
"We need to make sure we’re tidy and get in some good [tackles] and make them play with a bit more width. If we can do that, I reckon we’ll do pretty well."
Otago v Waikato
Hamilton, today, 5.05pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Kurt Hammer, Dylan Nel, Slade McDowall, Joketani Koroi, Josh Dickson, Sione Misiloi, Hisa Sasagi, Sekonaia Pole, Jonah Aoina. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Tom Hill, Giorgio Bower, Josh Larsen, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Josh Renton, Vilimoni Koroi.
Waikato: Matty Lansdown, Bailyn Sullivan, Quinn Tupaea, Dwayne Sweeney, Tyler Campbell, Fletcher Smith, Jack Stratton, Jordan Manihera, Mitch Jacobson, James Tucker, Laghlan McWhannell, Tim Bond, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Toby Smith. Reserves: Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Ayden Johnstone, Sosaia Fale, Adam Burn, Jono Armstrong, Raniera Takarangi, Pepesana Patafilo, Declan O’Donnell.