Now, the ultimate test: can the vibrant outdoor club stay there after they reach the summit?
Kurow made a fairy tale to the top of Northern Otago rugby with a 24-13 victory over Valley in last year’s final, which the Citizens’ Shield reclaimed for the first time in 39 years.
It meant a target on those red jerseys all season, but Kurow handled everything that came his way to qualify for the playoffs at the top.
“I guess every team we faced really came for us,” Kurow coach Tim Anderson said.
“They wanted to hit us with everything. And I think we learned to deal with it, because it’s not a bad thing.”
Kurow improved in one semifinal after a 26-3 win over Athletic Marist, while Old Boys ended up strong to beat Valley 22-11 in the other.
It was not all straightforward for Kurow.
The club has lost a handful of players due to season-end injuries, so depth has been tested, but it is now a strength.
“We have a great team, and new guys who came in worked hard,” Anderson said.
“We tried to change a few things because you do not want to get too comfortable, but we have players who know what their job is and they are just going to do it.”
There is — understandably, though perhaps excessively — enough buzz about Kurow’s wonderful backline.
But there was more to the team than the phenomenal trio of Hayden Parker, Matt Faddes and Hayden Todd, Anderson said.
“Forwards are always the key, ha ha.
“Hayden and those boys do not really like it when you sit on them too much.
“Our pack is a massive deal for us. We have some very good players, and some great players, and I would like to see a few more recognized in the Heartland squad this year.
“You can win nothing without a good forward pack.”
Kurow beat Old Boys twice in the round robin, but tomorrow’s final could be anyone’s match.
Old Boys’ form was rags, but they have some fantastic athletes and smart veterans who will not panic when the chips are off.
The men in black last won the shield in 2017, and last reached the final in 2019.
“It is quite special, because we were not in the final for a while,” said coach Lemi Masoe.
“There was a lot of emotion and a lot of happy tears after the semi-final. They worked very hard this year.”
Masoe, the North Otago major, is still running the cutter for Old Boys in his fifth decade.
He will hope the five can create a platform for the deadly 8-9 combination of Junior Fakatoufifita and Mataitini Feke to run amok.