Tasman are bracing for an increase in intensity, as they prepare to face Hawke's Bay in a long-awaited challenge for the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday.
The Mako haven't had an opportunity to lift the coveted 'Log O'Wood' - the most treasured prize in NZ domestic rugby - in nearly a decade, and they're hungry to make up for lost time.
"As a group we want to be part of history and know that as a playing group this was something we did for the first time for Tasman," says lock Quinten Strange.
That night in 2012, Tasman came up short against a Taranaki side led by a 21-year-old Beauden Barrett in a game coach Andrew Goodman remembers well.
"I was in that last game and to have another opportunity as a coach is cool," says Goodman.
"The boys are excited, the energy is great and we know how exciting going up there is going to be."
The wounds of that 49-40 defeat are still fresh for Goodman, who's determined not to determined not to waste the chance again and bring the shield back to Nelson for the first time.
"It'll be massive for the region really," he admits. "For the kids, it keeps that momentum going, getting them to play the game, and the excitement for the older generation."
The last time the Shield was in the region was back in 1973, when it was won by Marlborough.
But now the current group of Mako are eager to claim their own slice of history.
"We need to recognise that it's a pretty special bit of silverware, or bit of wood, in New Zealand rugby, so it'd be special to get our name on it," says Strange.
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