Otago has been here plenty of times before - 22 challenges since 1959 - and come away empty-handed every single time.
There have been near-misses, total blowouts and games that simply slipped by.
Tonight, Otago, a side that is a mix of youngsters and solid provincial performers, gets to challenge Waikato in Hamilton for the prized trophy.
The shield has lost some of its lustre in these commercialised days of rugby and an increased focus on the All Blacks and the Super 15.
But it is still the trophy everyone wants to have in provincial rugby in New Zealand. And Otago has not had it since 1957 - a whopping 56 years.
The blue and golds have had the weight of expectation on them many times when challenging but this side is young enough, and skilful enough, to finally get over the hurdle.
Expectations are probably not high yet as the season has just begun, and there is plenty of other rugby going on.
Otago coach Tony Brown has been preaching to his side about how the intensity will increase for this match, and Otago needs to take the step up.
''I just think with a shield game, both teams play at a high intensity with high physicality. We need to negate everything they throw at us and play our game,'' Brown said.
Last week, Otago was slow out of the blocks. If Bay of Plenty had been more accurate, the game would have been over by the 20-minute mark.
Otago needs to start well tonight and stay in the game, against a Waikato side which has a sizeable and quick backline, classy loose forwards and a relatively inexperienced tight five.
Brown said the side had not talked much about the shield. It was more about performance on the night.
'' A big part of our week has been about recovery and getting ready for the game. We have not talked specifically about the shield, talking more about preparing properly to play as well as we can.''
He said Otago's history of defeats in Hamilton and when challenging for the shield should have no bearing on his side, as it was a young team.
''There is no point looking at history. I think we have got a different team, younger guys. It is a great experience for these young guys to play in a shield challenge.''
He said the key to the game was starting well and not letting Waikato get any momentum.
Brown was not worried about the lack of time on the training paddock this week, focusing on getting players recovered and minds right for the big match.
Right winger Kieran Moffat has been cleared to play after getting over a bruised calf he picked up last week. Jayden Spence is in the reserves.
Waikato welcomes back No 8 Matt Vant Leven from his break after the Super 15, while big prop Ben Tameifuna comes into the reserves. He has joined Waikato after he was not wanted by Hawkes Bay.
Tonight's game starts half an hour later than usual with Taranaki and Wellington playing each other at 6.05pm.
Otago v Waikato
Hamilton, tonight, 8.05pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Kieran Moffat, Michael Collins, Peter Breen, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Lee Allan, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tom Donnelly, Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Tama Tuirirangi, Charlie O'Connell, TJ Ioane, Willis Scott, Josh Renton, Jayden Spence.
Waikato: Trent Renata, Tim Mikkelson, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Joe Webber, Sam Christie, Kylem O'Donnell, Matt Vant Leven (captain), Jack Lam, Rory Grice, Sam Kilgour, Brian Alainu'uese, Paul Alo-Emile, Brayden Mitchell, Toby Smith. Reserves: Vance Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Chris Middleton, Jono Armstrong, Mick Snowden, Wharenui Hawera, Semisi Masirewa.
Referee: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty).
