Here is why.
Auckland's opponent in the elimination final at Eden Park Outer Oval today has been frighteningly good.
Wellington could have avoided the sudden-death playoff had it not been for a slice of bad luck. Its final two round-robin games were rain-affected and that, arguably, cost it pole position.
And who can forget the 193-run shellacking it gave Otago at the Basin Reserve on October 31.
Forget the competition standings - Wellington is the form team and is to be avoided if possible.
Hamish Bennett shapes as the No1 threat. The Wellington captain has had the better of several players in the Volts' batting line-up and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 13.82.
He is one of the best death bowlers in the game and is a potent force at the top of the innings as well. No-one seems to have a good response to his bouncer.
Rookie opener Andrew Fletcher has made an extraordinary beginning to his career with three hundreds and three 50s. He has scored almost 200 runs more than anyone else.
The rest of the Wellington top order offers little reprieve. South African-born left-hander Devon Conway seems destined to play for New Zealand once he qualifies.
He has 357 runs at an average of almost 40, while former Otago all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is averaging more than 50 at an impressive strike rate of 110.23.
Michael Bracewell and Malcolm Nofal complete the most dangerous top order in the competition.
Auckland is down on firepower in the bowling department with Mitchell McClenaghan and Lockie Ferguson unavailable.
But skilful left-hander Mark Chapman returns to the line-up and, in opener Colin Munro, Auckland has one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket.
He swatted his sixth one-day century earlier this month - a rollicking 143 from 93 balls.
All-rounder Sean Solia has been in good touch as well with 382 runs at an average of 42.44. The left-hander has got his side off to some solid starts and has also nabbed 10 wickets at 29.50.
Wellington thrashed Auckland by 120 runs at the Basin Reserve but Auckland recorded a 13-run win at home in round two and has won three of its four one-day games at Eden Park Outer Oval this season.
Wellington ceded home advantage because the Basin Reserve was unavailable.
