Not since 1980 with Manawatu has a union outside the "big five" won the national provincial championship top title.
That will all change tonight when either home team and top qualifiers Taranaki or the young upstarts Tasman clash at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.
Both sides have maintained settled squads, and the good news for Taranaki is that second five Charlie Ngatai, recently named the Maori All Blacks' captain, is clear to play after being a late scratching for the 49-30 extra-time win over Auckland in last weekend's semifinal.
Taranaki have no fewer than six in that Maori team. That might not seem surprising, given that Colin Cooper is coach of both the Maori and Taranaki, but all have played well during this ITM Cup.
Even the likes of tighthead prop Angus Ta'avao have played above themselves during the campaign, and the move from Auckland has been a boon for his stagnating career.