Two Dewar Shield heavyweights will be looking for ultimate supremacy this weekend, as Harlequin take on the Unicorns in the grand final.
Harlequin will be looking to win a fourth Dewar Shield in five years, as they attempt to complete a perfect 18-0 season, while the Unicorns are looking to defend their title.
The two sides have shared seven of the last eight premierships, with Harlequin's three just one shy of the Unicorns' four
If they want to come home with the chocolates, Unicorns coach Tumai Edwards says their first point of call is a perfect start.
“Our precision needs to be right, we need to take every opportunity," he said.
"We never start well, and we had to play catchup last time we played ‘Quins, and we finished strong, so we need to stop them from getting the momentum."
Edwards said they had to take control early, and not let their undefeated rivals onto the front foot.
“They’ve been dominant all year, but there’s no point playing them at their game," he said.
"We just need to stick to our game plan, control the battle up front, dominate with our pack and use our pace out wide. We’re two very well-structured teams.”
Harlequin have won all three encounters between the teams this year but they've been far from one-sided, with a 33-25, 38-24 in the regular season and a 31-24 victory over their close rivals in the first week of finals.
Harlequin coach Pom Simona, who will take the reins of the Melbourne rising this season in the NRC, said the added intensity of finals had done his team wonders.
“We’re confident with our form, we needed a few hard games to get used to the intensity of finals rugby," he said.
"There’s a lot more pressure, not as many opportunities, and a young team needs to get used to it."
One thing they won't be counting on is history this weekend, Simona said.
“We’ll be throwing our previous performances against Melbourne in the bin, it’s a totally different game, the other three this season are irrelevant," he said.
"They’ll be on a high after their semi-final win, but it’s just about turning up and playing your best rugby.”
Harlequin takes on Melbourne in the Dewar Shield grand final on Saturday, kicking off at 3pm AEST.
TEAMS
Harlequin
1. Darren Dean
2. Mahe Vailanu
3. Angus Arundel
4. Jason Havea
5. Angus Hamilton
6. Mitchell Thwaites
7. Sione Taufa
8. Simei Kolio
9. Anointe van Zyl
10. Lloyd Johansson
11. Angelo Leaupepe
12. Eli Vole
13. Oliva Sialua
14. Hunter Paisami
15. Taylor Acheson
Melbourne
1. Alesana Matiasi
2. Jerome Trail
3. Mark Higginson
4. Shaun Mortensen
5. Aaron Kelly
6. Poloie Schwalger
7. Ikapote Tupai
8. Joe Maiava
9. Thomas Donaldson
10. Paul McConnochie
11. Mataiasi Nairavu
12. David Massey
13. Telea-Afa Faatau
14. David Benson
15. Deina Morete