They don't mind a good form book up in South Taranaki.
With the Waverley Harvesting Border team's clubrooms only seven minutes drive from the town's race course, there's plenty of punters directly involved in both entities, and if one was looking at the statistics then tomorrow's Tasman Tanning Premier final at Cooks Gardens seems like a safe bet.
Only problem is two hours up the road in Ohakune, the mountain men of McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu make a habit of ripping up that form book, as they have in countless seasons past, and this time with a loyal group of veteran players gearing up for what could well be their last hurrah.
Having upset the odds by squeezing past Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park last Saturday, and with a recent tradition of Premier grand finals being decided in the final minutes by barely the points spread of a single goal kick, Ruapehu could well send off several club stalwarts with their first championship since 2013.
Coach Daisy Alabaster is willing to concede favouritism to the defending champions, with Border having only one loss and a draw this year compared to his side's four defeats.
However, Border had to twice come from behind to beat Ruapehu this season - 21-18 in Ohakune on March 25 through a last minute penalty by Nick Harding, and 36-12 in Waverley on May 27 in a deceptive scoreline as Border scored three tries inside the last ten minutes against their injury-depleted visitors with a small bench.
"The first one, that could have gone either way," said Alabaster.
"The second game we were ahead and then it was four stupid mistakes. A try from each one.
"Border are very good at putting the screws on. They got a good forward pack, so have we."
Alabaster was using last night's training to decide his starting XV, specifically the composition of his front row to take on Steelform Wanganui regulars in Tietie Tuimauga, Cole Baldwin and Hamish Mellow.
Ruapehu more than have parity in that area as Mac-James Edmonds, Roman Tutauha, Kim McNaught, Karl Parker and Gabriel Hakaraia - who got the match-winning try against Marist - all bring plenty of big game experience and determination.
While loose forward Campbell Hart is reluctantly still unavailable as a light training on Tuesday showed his groin strain is not recovered, Ruapehu will have it covered through franchise players Jamie Hughes, Fraser Hammond and the great Peter Rowe, in what could possibly be his last final.
"He's had a good career. He's been priceless for us this year," said Alabaster.
"Ian [Rowe] has been the same, 40-years-old and he's barely missed training.
"Roman also, he missed one training when he could barely stand."
Playmaker Craig Clare is running at full strength again, and the dark horse to watch out wide facing Border's rock star backline could well be Shaquille Waara.
Coming from a strong pedigree of Ruapehu district players, Waara was a junior Wanganui rep before switching schools to Palmerston North and then Hamilton Boys High School, playing first XV and winning the Condor Sevens, which was followed by two years playing rugby in Italy.
"It would be good if he plays as good as his CV," said Alabaster.
The wet weather and prospect of a Premier Consolation final and Senior final softening up Cooks Gardens would also be to Ruapehu's benefit, although Border coach Justin Lock is confident he has the most well-balanced team for any style.
"[Ruapehu] definitely got a good forward pack and a big forward pack - that's always been their strength.
"Experience does count for a lot, but also they got some old legs too.
"I expect our forwards to lay the platform."
Jack Hodges was in excellent touch last weekend along side former Fijian test lock Sekonaia Kalou, while No8 Ranato Tikoisolomone has been the go-to man for carries up the centre while Tuimauga works his way back from the long injury break.
Lock has also been in the ear of aggressive young flanker Angus Middleton about testing himself against the Wanganui incumbents.
"I wouldn't swap him for anyone else, he gets under other people's skin.
"Our plan is just to keep the boys calm, rather than build them up too much.
"You're not going to change anything in the last week."
While temperament is the same, Border had to make one adjustment to their in-form backs as second-five James Forsyth hurt his ribs in the semifinal win over Black Bull Liquor Pirates, with Anaru Haerewa coming into the starting XV and Clint Skedgwell rejoining the reserves for a split of five forwards and two backs.
Lock has made the best preparations he can, but notes anything can happen on finals day, such as in the Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti finals series where the top side was beaten.
"Form goes out the window at this time of the season. It's just 80 minutes of guts."
Wanganui Club Finals day starts at 11am with PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape, last year's beaten championship finalists, trying to claim the Premier Consolation crown off defending champions Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, who pulled a great upset by beating Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri at home last Saturday.
The Senior final follows at 12.45pm, as undefeated Speirs Food Marton take on multiple-time champions Kelso Hunterville, before the big one kicks off at 2.30pm.