The Eels will chase their fourth title in five years when they play University A in the premier club final at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
The same two sides contested last year's final and that proved to be a rout, with Taieri winning 51-6.
It is unlikely this year's fixture will turn out to be such a one-sided encounter. The teams have played twice this season and both matches produced dramatic finishes.
Taieri won the first, sealing the 42-29 win when Josh Casey intercepted the ball in the final moments and ran more or less the length of the field to score.
Taieri led the return game 22-11 at halftime. But the students scored three tries in the final quarter of the match and won 29-28, with a penalty right on fulltime.
If it comes down to goal-kicking, though, Taieri knows it has the form player in the tournament to fall back on.
Casey landed seven from seven (six penalties and a conversion) in Taieri's 25-21 semifinal triumph against Southern at the weekend and improved his season total to a whopping 295 points, 35 points more than the previous highest season tally.
While detailed records have only been kept since 1976, it is doubtful anyone has amassed more points in a single season of Dunedin premier club rugby.
The 21-year-old first five-eighth has 300 points in his sights and should bring up the milestone comfortably.
University A will not make it easy, though. The students beat Harbour 35-33 in a cracking second semifinal.
They played an attacking brand of rugby and scored four tries against the team with the best defensive record in the competition.
Buses to Saturday's final will leave Peter Johnstone Park at 1.30pm and return to the clubrooms after the match.
