Despite complications caused by COVID-19, Super Rugby Aupiki will kick off its inaugural season on Thursday with the Matatū playing the Chiefs.
Both teams have been going through their final preparations in the Taupō bubble and they're well and truly ready to finally play.
"Pretty emotional when we named the team internally," says Matatū coach Blair Baxter. "It's a real historic moment."
"We're very aware of how big it's going to be for the Women's game," adds captain Alana Bremner.
Omicron has made the competition a difficult juggling act so far. The contest will be the only opening round match to go ahead due to COVID-19 in the Hurricanes camp.
"It's lucky that we've got to this point really," says Chiefs coach Allan Bunting. "It has been a challenging lead in."
That assessment is quite an understatement. There's been very little build up to a compacted competition.
Teams are now allowed to name an extended playing group of 25 due to concerns around player welfare.
"There's a little bit of a concern but we're happy with where we are at," says Bunting. "We wouldn't play if we thought it was dangerous."
Match time will be particularly crucial for Black Ferns players, with Aupiki serving as valuable build up towards the World Cup on home soil in October.
"This competition has been hugely needed," says Bremner. "We've been needing some rugby at this level to prepare the Black Ferns for the World Cup."
What's set to be a landmark year for women's rugby in New Zealand is now finally set to get underway.
