They say your first is always your best, and North Otago rugby fans of the modern era will forever consider 2002 their greatest season.
After long decades of struggle and two heartbreaking final losses, the Old Golds finally got to sip the winning wine when they beat Horowhenua-Kapiti in the final of the old third division.
It was the first of three national titles they would win in the space of five years, and it happened, appropriately, in the union's 75th year.
An objective observer might argue at least two North Otago seasons in recent times have been better.
The 2005 team reached the semifinals of the old second division - for a remarkable third consecutive season - and was just beaten, 15-11, by Hawkes Bay.
And the 2007 team charged to victory in the new Meads Cup, which is of a moderately higher standard than the old third division.
But because it won the province's first trophy, and because it was so dominant, the 2002 team has to join the 1962 team, which beat Australia, in the North Otago rugby pantheon.
These were the players and the coach who created history:
15. Luke Herden
One of two players in the 2002 starting XV to be starting on Saturday.
Herden, a back built like a front-row forward, played on for North Otago until 2005.
Made a handful of appearances for Otago before returning to captain North Otago this season.
Works as a teacher in Dunedin.
14. Toetu Palamo
Spent three years playing for North Otago as a draft player from the Dunedin and Harbour clubs.
Scored 15 tries in just 25 games.
Later played club rugby in Auckland and is understood to have been in Dubai.
13. Fepi Tatafu
Arrived almost out of the blue for the Maheno club in 2001 and turned out to be rather good.
Scored nine tries in 10 games in 2002.
Played for Tonga at the 1999 and 2007 World Cups and spent years in Europe, including with French club Montauban.
Most recently played for a club in Sydney.
12. Mike Mavor
A fixture in gold for more than a decade.
Showed touches of class in midfield that suggested he could have played first-division rugby had the opportunity arisen.
Became the first man to play 100 first-class games for North Otago, then twice came out of retirement to help the team out.
Now runs the sideline for the coaches.
Manages the office at Oamaru's famous Parkside Quarries.
Married to Kim with two daughters.
11. Pila Fifita
Became a cult hero in 2002 with his blockbusting runs and prolific try-scoring.
Set North Otago records - 39 career tries, 15 in a season - that may never be beaten.
Scored a hat trick in the final.
New Zealand Divisional XV 2002-03.
Later played for Tonga and for clubs in France and Japan, before moving to Brisbane with wife Amy and their children.
10. Simon Porter
The intellectual general.
Named third division player of the year in 2002 for his record 159 points for the province.
Later played for Counties-Manukau and in England.
Married former Black Ferns fullback Hannah Myers and works as an agent for the high-profile Essentially Group in Auckland.
9. Ryan McCarthy
Played for North Otago until 2005, when he led the team with six tries and made the Divisional XV.
Played two games for Otago in 2007.
Moved to Auckland and won a Gallaher Shield with Ponsonby, and also played in Romania.
Working as a secondary school teacher and will move to Hamilton next year with wife Maree and daughter Taylor.
8. Regan Laughton
"Chief" retired after the 2004 season but came back to help the 2007 side win the Meads Cup.
Has coached and played - as a back - for his Kurow club in recent years.
Works as a livestock broker.
Married to Vicki with three daughters, including twins.
7. Ross Hay
Still putting his lean body through the wringer on a weekly basis, but "Bones" threatens this will be his last season.
Has 125 caps for North Otago and is the only man to have played in the 2002, 2007 and 2009 finals and be backing up this weekend.
Farming at Herbert with wife Jo and son Charlie.
6. Ray Ofisa
How did this guy never play for Otago?
Played a handful of tests for Samoa and has spent the last four years starring for Irish club Connacht.
5. Nathan Archibald
Left North Otago at the end of 2003 and spent four years in London, playing more than 100 games for Westcombe Park.
Teaches at Timaru Boys' High School and played for Pleasant Point this year.
Married to Tash with a son, Angus, and another child due in February.
4. Cam McKenzie
Played final season for North Otago in 2005 and twice made the Divisional XV.
Then turned into the quintessential rugby nomad.
Has played and coached in Ireland, the United States, Canada and Spain.
Spent four years as a player-coach in Sweden.
Now based in Norway with his Swedish girlfriend.
3. Atalea Katoa
Played the last of his 58 games for North Otago in 2004.
Later played in Nelson before returning to North Otago to play for and help coach the Maheno club.
2. Barry Fox (captain)
Every great team needs a great leader, and Fox was one of the best.
The durable hooker retired in 2003 with 82 caps, then returned for two more in 2006.
Retired from club rugby last year after helping his beloved Valley win the Citizens Shield.
Works in Oamaru as a dairy agent.
Married to Rebecca with three daughters.
1. Hotili Asi
"Try-scoring machine" is usually a label reserved for outside backs, but this bloke bucked the trend.
Finished his North Otago career in 2005 with a record of 25 tries in 57 games.
Moved to Nelson and now lives in Palmerston North with wife Atela and four children.
Glenn Moore (Coach)
Coached North Otago from 2000 to 2005 and led the side to 44 wins from 64 games.
Coached the Divisional XV from 2003 to 2005, and was an assistant with both the Highlanders and Otago in 2006 and 2007.
Coached the Highlanders in the Super 14 from 2008 to 2010.
Still lives in Oamaru and has returned this season to help the North Otago staff.
Reserves: Steve Kotua, Tevita Asi, Ray Gutsell, Kisione Ahotaieloa, Regan Gilder, Mike Rowe, Gary Byrne.
