Southern coach Colin Tuaine smiles broadly and bats off the question with a chuckle.
''There is a long way to go yet,'' he responds when asked if this might be Southern's year.
The Magpies have not won the premier banner since 2007.
Taieri has set the benchmark in recent years, but the defending champion has not been entirely convincing this winter.
There was the 31-31 draw with Harbour in round three, a scare against Kaikorai in round five, a tense encounter with University A the following week and a 22-11 loss to Southern last weekend.
Southern, on the other hand, has been in impressive form, albeit with the odd lapse towards the end of the game once the result has been banked.
Southern has registered 34 points from a possible 35 and has a seven-point buffer at the top of the competition standings.
Tuaine can afford to smile. The win over Taieri was a breakthrough for the team, and he knows it.
''[Taieri] have been the benchmark and we've always wanted to be one of those teams that people looked at and say, 'It would be nice to beat them','' Tuaine said.
''Finally, the guys have cracked it. We worked real hard defensively and I think we showed that [on Saturday]. We worked real hard and off good defence comes good attack.''
Otago midfielder Tei Walden has been instrumental to Southern's success this season and he made the crucial play which led to the 80m try that effectively sealed Taieri's fate.
The captain swooped on a loose pass from first five-eighth Josh Casey and got a clever offload away.
It was the turning point in an even contest.
Walden appears to have gained plenty from his sessions with the Highlanders wider training group.
''He has been really good ... and has come back a much stronger player mentally. It is just infectious.''
That said, it takes more than one bloke to win a game. Southern's strength had been its teamwork, Tuaine said.
''There is a core of guys who have been together for about three years and there is finally a belief that they are as good as anybody else. In the past we've had individuals that were as good as anybody but we did not always play as a team.
''I know it is a cliche but if you don't play as a team, you are not going to win.''
Southern plays Zingari-Richmond at Montecillo tomorrow.
The Colours have picked up two wins this season and are in seventh place with 13 points.
But they do not look to have the forward pack to challenge Southern.
Harbour certainly does. The Hawks are up next and they have been playing some good rugby, as well.
''They bring something different to the game. They are just physical all over the paddock.''
That is a game to look forward to. It may well be a preview of the final.
