Rainy weather and windy conditions have welcomed the ACT Brumbies to Auckland, and are expected to continue when the Australian side takes the field against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.
The ACT side will know by matchday if they will be travelling to Christchurch or back to Canberra should they prevail in Waikato and make it to the final.
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Following Stephen Larkham confirming the side has taken several new approaches in preparation for this final, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa have warmly welcomed the torrid conditions for their first training session in New Zealand.
"I thought the weather here was great practice for us," Alaalatoa admitted to reporters.
"I think we were preparing for wet-weather footy, so then it's going to come down to errors and taking the opportunities down there at their end.
"That's what finals footy is all about. It's one or two key moments, it's just making sure that as individuals that your focus is there."
"It's definitely warmer," added Slipper.
"We're in the negatives back in Canberra so it's been pretty cold, but it's probably a little bit more wet over here."
The Brumbies will arrive in Hamilton on Thursday afternoon, and while the Brumbies are taking a settled approach, Alaalatoa is fully of the challenge ahead of them - even despite the hosts' loss to the Blues in the qualifying finals.
"The game that we saw last week was no different to what we've seen all year," the 131-capped Brumby skipper said.
"They're very sharp in their back line, they're skilful, take the opportunities when they're there - but that's earned through their forward pack, and seeing how hard they are at the breakdown, the work that they do around the collision work.
"Those's things that we've seen all year, and that was what we saw last weekend and what we expect to see on Saturday.
"They've got passionate supporters there, and we're expecting close to a sell-out. It's an experience that a lot of our boys are used to, being in the finals the last few years."
Much discussion has been made of the Australian sides' record in New Zealand during finals, however the Brumbies will take confidence from several victories across the Tasman in 2025 - and will hope to snap a four game losing streak to the Chiefs, having last tasted victory in Hamilton in 2022.
"The Chiefs finished on top of the ladder. We know what we're coming up against," added Slipper.
"There's going to be pressure across the board. Whether it's set-piece, break-down, counter-attack. For us it's just minimising the opportunities we give them and taking the opportunities we're given.
"It's a great place to play down in Hamilton. We've had some really good games there in the past and I'm looking forward to this one."
Slipper is set to break Crusader Wyatt Crockett's all-time Super Rugby games record in 2026, and become the first Super Rugby player to play 100 games for two sides.
"I'm genuinely not chasing records," Slipper chuckled. "I just like playing rugby.
"I've been around a while and been lucky enough to play a lot of games. I'm pretty excited to stay at the Brumbies another year and play a few more games."
Despite the imposing record, Alaalatoa admitted the side is in a good headspace heading into the Saturday clash, and is confident they can match it with the hosts.
"Our focus has always been on ourselves," said the Brumbies' captain.
"There's full belief that if we come out on Saturday and deliver our game, we're able to put in a good performance. That's all our focus has been on.
"Now it's just about getting down there in Hamilton and knocking it in.
"[We're expecting] a physical game, for sure. It's going to be one on small margins, the physicality around the breakdown, and your carry intent. They pride themselves on the set-piece as well.
"It's going to be a good battle."
