American writer William Arthur Ward once famously said, "adversity causes some men to break; others to break records".
It will only be clear by late tomorrow afternoon who that adage will favour between Integrity Motors Pirates, chasing their first Tasman Tanning Premier title since 1958, and McCarthy's Ruapehu, after a rare third-successive championship in an unpredictable grand final at Spriggens Park.
The replay of last year's 16-13 thriller pits two teams that have traded the No1 and No2 spot all season, while stealing one-point victories in each of their away clashes in May and June, 17-16 to Pirates in Ohakune and then 11-10 to Ruapehu in Wanganui.
Both sides have lost their top lock to injury - Simon Hillis and Nick Cranston respectively - and both had to dig deep to emerge with the barest of wins in their semifinals a week ago against Border and Taihape.
It is so close, that the WRFU finals day newsletter sent out to all clubs yesterday stated very clearly what the rules are governing extra time, which is then followed by a sudden death period.
"We've talked all about extra time and all possibilities," said Pirates coach Phillip Morris, who from his experiences with Kaierau knows just how strong Ruapehu must be mentally to get themselves to a third-straight final.
"Last year [at 13-13], my bench was fizzing to get on, and I was looking at the worms, because I knew it was going to extra time. But a penalty put paid to that.
"Finals come down to one or two moments - win those and you win.
"When we play Ruapehu, we find extra strength, which I think is respect for a championship side."
Neither Morris or his relaxed opposite Chris Winter had been too bold to suggest they expected to meet each other in the final game.
Winter, after consecutive squeak-by wins over Taihape, had been seen last Saturday alleviating the concerns of worried clubmen that their basic phase-style of play, nearly undone by Taihape's helter-skelter attack, was still the way to go against Pirates, who are more 'up-the-guts'.
"Probably thought Border could have done it, but Pirates, they've got a heap of heart," Winter said.
"Definitely [we know Pirates] but they're strong men, so we've got to work hard on our defence - Pirates can sometimes pull out the unpredictable, especially Denning [Tyrell].
"It could end up like last year. It's a final, got to take the points you can."
The quiet asking for the likes of Denning Tyrell and Lasa Ulukuta to guide Pirates forward against a country team that can drive you out of the game is no pressure because they demand their squad mates perform to that same standard also, said Morris.
"What [Denning] does is lift the guys around him.
"CJ Stowers [16 tries in 2014], I'm sure, would not have come on with his rugby without the Dennings around him.
"And Lasa? I just tell him, 'if you're the best player out there, and you're captain, you shouldn't have to say anything - they'll follow you'.
"We take it as ours to lose."
For Winter, the collective has always been stronger than the individual, given at least 13 players from his 22-strong squad have already played in 2-3 premiership winning teams.
Expect the seasoned champions like Peter Rowe, Logan Vaughan and Kim McNaught to show up in the big one.
But if you needed to lay success on a particular set of shoulders, then look no further than Andrew Evans.
The veteran No8 has had a halcyon season in the Ruapehu pack, even out-shining the workhorse Rowe on occasion.
"I think it's been one of Andrew's best years, he's probably been the best forward in every game I've watched," said Winter.
It will be another big day for the club and being a year older and wiser, the young players in the Ruapehu seniors will look to try and end Power Farming (PN) Hunterville's stranglehold on the senior championship in their 2013 rematch.
Hunterville overcame their early season speed wobbles, which included a loss to Ruapehu, to win their way straight to the game which decides if they will claim a sixth successive title.
However, as the Ruapehu premiers and seniors train together at Rochfort Park, Winter likes what he has seen in their build-up to the clash, and says he's expecting much better than last year's 38-3 final score.
"The attitudes have been unreal, I think they've learnt a lot. These guys have played some hard games and they're older heads."