You know why undefeated Ruapehu are here but why Pirates? The answer can be found in the visitors' dressing shed at Ohakune on June 22.
Having just gone down 28-6 to the undefeated home side, after coming in with some confidence from a 16-16 draw in April at a time when they weren't even playing well, Pirates coach Phillip Morris had had enough.
Exactly what was said is not recorded because, well, the words were "not printable", but the message got across.
"We sat down and had a bit of a talk and the switch clicked and we went from there," said Morris on the moment that led to a six-week steamroll towards tomorrow's Premier grand final at Spriggens Park.
Scoring 180 points while conceeding just 15 in their next four games, Pirates were putting up Ruapehu-like numbers en route to upsetting clear second-favourites Border in Waverley, 22-15 last weekend.
Season MVP Lasa Ulukuta found the touches of old, while in Morris' estimation Denning Tyrell and Junior Tume became the form first-five and hooker of the grade.
"Their start in Border, into the wind, was the best they've played this season.
"In finals rugby, the clock goes so quick. The young guys looked up at the clock and said 'hey, it's halftime'."
Therefore, while the task of beating Ruapehu has not been accomplished by anyone in 2013, it means Pirates have the slightest chance of ending a 50 year hoodoo and claiming the Wanganui championship.
"Having come from a club that expected results [Kaierau], it's just neat to see the enjoyment the club gave the supporters with their win to make the final," said Morris.
"All expectations are on [Ruapehu], they're unbeaten, the most consistent side and they rolled us last game. Pressure does funny things.
"We have a strong bench, like them, any one of them could have started last week.
"We have to win those crucial moments. In finals rugby, pain doesn't come into it."
While Morris is relieved the hard work in the shed finally has Pirates' engine running, his relaxed opposite Chris Winter just had to resist any fine tuning in Ruapehu's garage this week.
There was nothing different from the Tuesday and Thursday night sessions Winter, having been to championship games as a player and now a coach, is letting the experienced men like captain Peter Rowe, assistant coach/flanker Andrew Evans, and hard nosed props Shaun McDonough and Kim McNaught serve as guides for the handful of younger squad members in their first Premier final.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on the first up guys, I say little things but not too much.
"Everyone's back on board, Fraser [Hammond] should be back in this week.
"What you've done in the last 24 weeks of rugby, it doesn't count of finals day.
"It's who copes with the occasion."
It could be a big day for the club as the roles are reversed in the Senior final, where the young Ruapehu seniors go in as underdogs against a virtually unbeatable Hunterville.
Across from the main ground at the Racecourse, the Kaierau and Marton seniors will play out their consolation final.
The action starts from 12.30pm.