Moore will find himself on the opposite side to a team he guided through its most successful era when he coaches Mid Canterbury in the final in Ashburton on Saturday.
Hoping to spoil the home party will be North Otago, which Moore coached from 2000 to 2005, winning the old third division in 2002 and reaching the second-division semifinals three times before joining Otago and the Highlanders.
He is a much respected figure in Old Golds country and acknowledges it will be unusual to be on the other side this weekend.
''It does feel strange. It felt strange in the round robin,'' Moore told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
''I've got a lot of friends in Oamaru. The union chairman and chief executive are personal friends of mine.
''If you'd asked me at the start of the season, if it wasn't us that won it, I'd be happy for North Otago to win it. They've done well to battle back from the first couple of rounds.
''It definitely has a strange feeling. But I'm scrapping in another camp this time.''
The connection continues at headquarters, where former North Otago chief executive Ian Patterson now runs Mid Canterbury rugby.
Moore's men have had a fine season, losing just one game - to North Otago, 19-18 - after a disappointing 2012.
''The guys have been great to work with. They struggled a bit last year but they've come together well this year.
''We've worked hard. We got to the players early and made sure we did a lot of work around strength and conditioning, and skills.''
Moore's priority was finding a goal-kicking first five-eighth and he hit the jackpot with Murray Williams. The former Bay of Plenty playmaker came back from Japan through his link with Mid Canterbury assistant coach Grant Keenan.
Another key man in the ''Hammers'' is former Otago prop Grant Polson, who now plays lock.
Moore had three years with the Highlanders and, while he did not get the results he wanted, it did not diminish his desire to keep working in rugby.
''Coaching is a passion for me and I wanted to get back into it. I knew I still backed myself and wanted to coach. I kept my hand in a little bit helping out with North Otago where I could.
''There were a couple of opportunities overseas that I chose to set aside. I still have coaching aspirations and my first preference is to coach in New Zealand.''
Moore, who played for Mid Canterbury as a loose forward, is living in Rolleston and working in Christchurch, where he runs South Island Fresh Foods.
Four North Otago players, the most from one province, have been selected in the Heartland XV.
Prop Ralph Darling, lock Eric Duff, centre Lemi Masoe and winger Chris Talanoa have been named by coach Kurt McQuilkin in a 24-man squad.
The Heartland XV plays the New Zealand Defence Force in Methven on November 5 and New Zealand Marist in Timaru on November 9.
Heartland XV: The squad
Forwards: Matt Fetu (South Canterbury), Shaun McDonough (Wanganui), Ralph Darling (North Otago), Troy Tauwhare (West Coast), Nathan Tubb (South Canterbury), Nick Cranston (Wanganui), Eric Duff (North Otago), Lachie McFadzean (Wairarapa-Bush), Lee Nelmes (Buller), Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury), Peter Rowe (Wanganui, captain), Lasa Ulukuta (Wanganui), Riki Waitoa (East Coast).
Backs: William McKenzie (Mid Canterbury), Andrew Stephens (Buller), Tim Priest (West Coast), Glen Walters (Wairarapa-Bush), Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa (South Canterbury), Tau Moeke (East Coast), Lemi Masoe (North Otago), Dwayne Burrows (Mid Canterbury), Whaimotu Craft-Chemis (East Coast), Chris Talanoa (North Otago), Mike Tambour (Horowhenua-Kapiti).
