Auckland, who won more games, four, in the round-robin than any other side, will host if they win tomorrow.
The loser gets a second bite - courtesy of finishing in the top two - against the winner of the minor semifinal, between Otago and Canterbury in Dunedin tomorrow. So while there is a safety net for the loser in New Plymouth, they'd both rather take route one into the final.
"If we win we have a home final with the huge advantage of playing at Colin Maiden Park, in conditions we know," Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins said yesterday.
Should the pitch have a similar amount of damp in it tomorrow as earlier in the week, the decision at the toss should be a no-brainer. Hopkins has the view that on a small ground "you get the feeling you're never out of the game if you're chasing".
Auckland have dropped opener Tim McIntosh and spinner Bruce Martin, with allrounder Andre Adams fit again, experienced batsman Neal Parlane coming in, along with test seamer Chris Martin.
Otago dropped a selection bombshell for their semifinal, dumping out-of-sorts captain Aaron Redmond from the side altogether.
Ford Trophy major semifinal
Central Districts v Auckland
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, 11am tomorrow
CD: (possible) Jamie How, Dean Robinson, Carl Cachopa, Mathew Sinclair, Greg Todd, Kieran Noema Barnett, Kruger van Wyk, Bevan Small, Michael Mason, Adam Milne, Martin Kain, Stevie Smidt.
Auckland: Gareth Hopkins, Brad Cachopa, Jeet Raval, Anaru Kitchen, Neal Parlane, Colin de Grandhomme, Colin Munro, Ronnie Hira, Andre Adams, Mitchell McClenaghan, Dusan Hakaraia, Dean Bartlett, Chris Martin.
