It's a good, old-school journey for a good, old-school challenge tomorrow.
While their Mitre 10 Cup provincial contemporaries would expect a quick plane flight from one city centre to another and then a short bus ride either straight to the ground or a plush motel, Steelform Wanganui will be undertaking an over four hour long bus trip to Cambridge for the union's 29th attempt at lifting the Ranfurly Shield against Waikato.
Just like their predecessors in the 1950's and 1960's did when Wanganui represented a difficult challenge for the Shield holder.
"Not exactly looking forward to it, but it's the way it is," coach Jason Caskey said of the journey up State Highway 4.
"When I played I remember you sat on the bus [but] now there's DVD players and tablets - it's not as long and drawn out.
"The old guys in management, there's still euchre, we'll get that going."
Caskey has kept faith with most the squad who have already claimed one shield this season after shocking Taranaki Development XV 43-12 in Hawera last Saturday.
First-five Craig Clare's low grade calf strain will not be risked ahead of the Heartland Championship, so Dane Whale moves into the starting lineup.
The team went with one less prop in Hawera after reserve Hadlee Hay-Horton was a late pull out with injury, meaning this week that Ruapehu frontrower Jason White got the shock of a lifetime when Caskey phoned to ask if he wanted to play a Ranfurly Shield game.
"It was a bit of a surprise for him. Lucky he was keen."
Back after the funeral of his mother in Samoa, veteran Ace Malo will be the utility back on the bench, given he can cover first-five better than Tupu Tavae and can call upon eight years of faithful service to the Wanganui jersey.
"Ace would have been there all the way along, if not for his mum passing away," said Caskey.
"He can do the role we'll be looking for. I always wanted to give those [veteran] guys the chance to play."
Malo, captain Peter Rowe, reserve winger Simon Dibben and hookers Roman Tutauha and Cole Baldwin are the survivors from Wanganui's last Shield challenge in 2012 - the 50-7 loss to Taranaki.
Despite the Development XV victory and talk of classic Shield encounters in the past, the amateur side will have to be realistic as they face up to quicker and stronger professionals in Cambridge - who have already swept aside Thames Valley (83-13) and King Country (55-0) in their challenges.
One point of inspiration could be the effort, and credit, that emerged for Horowhenua-Kapiti when they challenged then-holders Hawke's Bay in July last year.
Down only 17-9 at halftime, Horowhenua-Kapiti closed to within four points of the unbackable favourites with 15 minutes left in Napier, before the suddenly fearful hosts woke up against visitors who were reduced to 14 men, running out 50-16 winners.
However, Caskey has not set his team the goal of just being a competitive three-quarter team.
"While it's going to be a very hard task, no doubt about that, we're not going up with the attitude of play for 60 minutes.
"I said to the team, 'if we can play for 60, why can't you go for 70?'
"If you can be in touching distance it will change the game completely.
"The looks of the [wet] weather, it's going to help us too."
If White's chance to play a Ranfurly Shield game is a good story, then fullback Te Rangatira Waitokia's tale is straight out of Boys Own Annual.
The youngster joined the new Wanganui Metro team which was created to play Manawatu Colts rugby with the specific purpose of keeping young men in the game, and three months later he finds himself challenging for the Log 'o Wood.
"Young guy's got a bit of talent - you have a bit of faith in him," said Caskey.
"Things could go where he finds himself under pressure, but back him 100 per cent.
"He'll get run around a fair bit. But he'll be a lot better player for it afterwards, I guarantee it."
If the team needs a motivational trick so to not be overawed by the occasion, then they only need remember that the Waikato second-five is a former team mate.
Tevita Taufui, who last played for Wanganui in the Lochore Cup victory over North Otago in 2014, will partner new centre Sevu Reece in the midfield.
Waikato's most experienced back will be 53-game veteran halfback Isaac Boss, returning to the starting lineup since returning from a playing stint in Ireland.
In one of the few other changes from the King Country game, flanker James Tucker comes back after being named last week but getting a late call up to the Chiefs as injury cover for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes.
Kickoff for the historic game will be at 2.35pm.
The teams are:
Wanganui
1. Tietie Tuimauga; 2. Roman Tutauha; 3. Viki Tofa; 4. Sam Madams; 5. Gavin Thornbury; 6. Campbell Hart; 7. Peter Rowe (c); 8. Malakai Volou; 9. Lindsay Horrocks; 10. Dane Whale; 11. Michael Nabuliwaqe; 12. Kameli Kuruyabaki; 13. Cameron Crowley; 14. Samu Kubunavanua; 15. Te Rangatira Waitokia.
Reserves - Forwards: 16. Cole Baldwin; 17. Hamish Mellow; 18. Jason White; 19. Renato Tikoisolomone; 20. Jamie Hughes. Backs: 21. Kane Tamou; 22. Simon Dibben; 23. Ace Malo.
Waikato
1. Latu Talakai; 2. Hame Faiva; 3. Sefo Kautai; 4. Jacob Skeen; 5. Brian Alainu'uese; 6. James Tucker; 7. Mitch Jacobson; 8. Whetu Douglas (c); 9. Isaac Boss; 10. Sam Christie; 11. Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara; 12. Tevita Taufui; 13. Sevu Reece; 14. Penikolo Latu; 15. Jordan Trainor.
Reserves - Forwards: 16. Steven Misa; 17. Tau Koloamatangi; 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott; 19. Jordan Manihera; 20. Murray Iti. Backs: 21. Pele Cowley; 22. Jason Robertson; 23. TBC.