Steelform Wanganui will travel back to Levin for another chance to redeem a loss in the 2017 Mitre 10 Heartland Championship after second placed Horowhenua Kapiti snuck by Buller 18-17 on Saturday.
While slight favourites after winning in Westport the week before, Horowhenua Kapiti could not discount Buller's heart and the James Lash factor, as they went out to a 9-3 lead through the boot of their own goal kicking James - Mr So'oialo.
Buller would come back with two tries to take the lead 17-15 with time running out, with Lash's goal kicks breaking his own national record to reach 147 points this Heartland season.
But So'oialo, as he did in the win over Wanganui, was unerring with his sixth straight penalty to put his team into their first ever Meads Cup final.
The news was well received in Timaru as Wanganui, who will be reinforced with the return of key players like Craig Clare and Viki Tofa, would much rather have a short trip down the road to face their neighbours than the long hike to Westport for a rematch of last year's thrilling Meads Cup final.