Coach Mike Ruthven is backing his triumphant NSW Waratahs to adapt to forecast foul conditions and take it to the Blues in the showpiece Women's Super Rugby Champions final in Auckland.
Five days after capturing a sixth premiership with a commanding 43-21 victory over the Queensland Reds in Sydney, the Waratahs have travelled across the Tasman to face New Zealand's Super Rugby Aupiki winners chasing more silverware.
But there won't be any trophies served on a platter as both sides prepare for predicted rain and gale-force winds in Thursday's showdown.
"The forecast isn't great," Ruthven admitted before the Waratahs flew out.
"We'll have to rethink a few things. Territory will be really critical and we know they're a physical, abrasive team that compete hard around contact and collisions.
"We'll need to be really accurate around that, both in defence and around the breakdown."
The conditions could prove a stark contrast to the dry, fast pitch the Waratahs enjoyed in their weekend grand-final win over the Reds which preserved an extraordinary seven-year unbeaten run against Australian opposition.
But Ruthven is confident his squad has the experience and adaptability needed to handle whatever Auckland's weather throws at them.
Psychologically, backing up after the emotional high of a premiership victory poses its own challenges, but Ruthven believes his players are ready for it.
"That's why it was important we got back into training straight away," he said.
"It was a chance to reflect on the weekend, but also shift focus quickly to the new challenge ahead.
"These girls are highly ambitious and really self-motivated. They'll be excited about the opportunity to compete hard and take on the Blues."
In a major blow, though, the Waratahs will be without prolific winger Maya Stewart, who was concussed in the Reds win.
Jade Sheridan replaces the Wallaroos star, while Amelia Whitaker has been promoted to the 23-player squad as one of the reserve backs.
Hooker Adiana Talakai is still sidelined with a shoulder injury, with Britt Merlo retaining the No.2 jersey.
The Blues qualified for the trans-Tasman club championship decider with a pulsating 26-19 comeback win over Matatu to become the first multiple Super Rugby Aupiki champions.
After trailing 12-0 and with Matatu throwing all they had at the defending champs in a nailbiting final period, the Blues needed a last-second intercept try from NZ sevens star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to snatch a dramatic victory.
Knowing the Waratahs will be no pushovers, Blues coach Willie Walker insisted on low-key celebrations despite the euphoric win.
"It's an opportunity," Walker said.
"An opportunity for that exposure and potentially where Aupiki goes; involving the Aussies in a wider competition is only going to grow our game and grow their game and make for better contests at that next level.
"That NSW team have been playing some pretty good footy. We played them in our pre-season. It was a 36-all draw or something like that, so we know that they can play footy.
"I just want it to be a great game and showcase the level at which these athletes are at, and hopefully we just continue to push and grow."
