Question: "Correct me if I'm wrong, George, but isn't it going to be Northland's first showing in the semifinals in 17 years?"
Responds Bay-born Konia: "Oh, it's definitely a special occasion to get to the semifinals but we'll be treating it like any other game."
It's not that Konia, who coached the Magpies with Brendon Ratcliffe in 2005-06, was trying to be elusive but it does give a snapshot of what the Taniwha mindset is before the 7.35pm kick off at McLean Park, Napier, as they eye the spoils that beckon.
Konia and coach Derren Witcombe have had a good season in guiding the sea blues to finish three points adrift of the second-placed Magpies despite losing 38-10 away to Premiership qualifiers Auckland last Saturday.
The Craig Philpott and Danny Lee-coached Magpies have locked the Ranfurly Shield away until next winter, albeit at times with scratchy performances.
But what does it say about a team who have fumbled and stumbled their way to retaining the Log o' Wood.
Imagine what they can yield in a bid to regaining Premiership status should they click and keep their discipline.
It is imperative the Magpies faithful pack the park to a respectable level because the chances are Northland, with robust players such as Jack Ram are capable of giving Brendon O'Connor a torrid time on their home turf.
The Taniwha aren't shy to bring out the knuckle dusters, as they showed against Auckland welcoming three All Blacks, even with their backs against the all although boisterous fans played their part at Eden Park.
Konia is also happy with Northland's 31-20 loss to Taranaki and 35-5 win over Wellington although one could argue who didn't beat the Lions this winter.
The 48-3 flogging at the hands of Canterbury in Christchurch is a fly in the ointment.
He endorses the New Zealand Rugby Union format of the two-tiered national provincial championship structured to accommodate the demanding international, Super Rugby and club agenda each year, not to mention the World Cup in England this time next year.
While he sees merits in a promotion/relegation system adding zest to the final week of competition, he weighs that up with "preserving the integrity" of club footy.
"We love nothing more than throwing the ball around.
"Having a career in rugby comes down to getting paid but over here we'd still be playing it even if we weren't paid."
While some other small unions ship in imports, Northland, he says, demand their hopefuls go through the club system to earn their stripes.
"Apart from Winston Stanley, because of exceptional abilities, everyone else in the squad has come through clubs," he points out.
Northland's backline looks lethal but Konia hastens to add the pretty boys are flourishing because the forwards are putting in the hard yards in winning good ruck balls.
Taniwha fans are likely to travel to Napier.
Konia's whanau is from Waipawa but he suspects there may be some divided loyalties within the ranks.
