"I think Mauao will come out fizzing right from the beginning, so we will have to weather the storm and then just keep our composure. That's how the game we lost started. They came out and really took it to us and had us a bit rattled. We only lost by two points, but we got a bit beaten up that day."
The Western Heights team goes into the game missing two players - centre Trent Whittle with concussion and Adam Membery with a leg injury.
Smith said he will be looking for big games from No 8 Alex Buckley, prop TJ Scheepers and season stand-out Brodie Woods in the backs.
Being without players is a situation Smith has rarely experienced this season.
"Part of our success really is that we have has 23 guys to choose from just about the whole season. We had one head knock injury that took a guy out for a couple of weeks, but other than that we've had a full squad to choose from. That makes it a little bit easier."
Smith is confident, but that confidence is tempered by recent games.
"We've beaten everyone in the competition, so I'm confident, but I wouldn't say the performances in the past two games have been fantastic. Having said that, we've set pretty high standards for ourselves, so each week we've got quite a bit to live up to because of that."
Smith coached last year's side to competition success, when Opotiki College were the opponents in the final.
"We lost a lot of players from last year. We've had a similar season, but with quite different teams. Last year we had a few key guys that were quite good and this year I think it's been more of a team effort."
Western Heights beat Bethlehem College 13-0 to clinch their place in the final while Te Wharekura O Mauao beat Trident High School 34-6. The Rotorua side already has the Te Kani Shield locked away in the trophy cabinet.
