It's taken them 17 years and now the Chiefs are the 2012 Super Rugby champions after thumping the Sharks 37-6 in their Hamilton cauldron.
There were no shrinking violets in the red, yellow and black as the energy and yearning for the ball in hand extended through the side, tight five playing as halfbacks and wingers after their chores were done.
There were no clear stars for the victors as a complete performance was pieced together for the last hour, the rock stars of the side matched by the rest.
As the rain persisted down pre match, the cunning of the coaches was on display early.
The Sharks, knowing they had to show verve, started like demons, charging like greyhounds out of the defence line and drawing mistakes from Aaron Cruden and his fellow backs who were playing too close to the gain line.
The Chiefs showed their nerves early, looking like they had lost them but then started holding them, with the tight five understanding their role in the damp conditions after Freddie Michalak got the Sharks on the board early for a a 3-0 lead.
Cruden took a while to find the wand in his kitbag but he started to wave it with aplomb, his cut pass getting the galloping Sonny Bill Williams through the cover. His offload to Andrew Horrell in support kept the move flowing as the ball was urgently sent wide for Tim Nanai Williams to dive over between the back-pedalling Sharks.
The Chiefs never looked back.
Another penalty and the momentum went their way and at halftime, the visitors looked out of ideas and on the hind foot.
The break did nothing for either side as the Chiefs resumed order and their pressure brought a five metre scrum and a sucker try for Kane Thompson off the back.
If the home crowd felt confident, there were fifteen others, as they warmed to the task in the wet, fullback Robbie Robinson chiming in from deep from passing designed for dry weather.
The Sharks couldn't get their hands on the ball, only their feet and they continued to tackle with an ill-timed foray from deep falling into the hands of Lelia Masaga, who two minutes into his night, sprinted away for the third try and the hammer blow at 27-6
In a fitting end, Sonny Bill Williams capped off the demolition job waltzing through under the posts and onwards to embrace the crowd a good leap higher than ground level.
The final was a bridge too far for the brave Sharks who tackled as best they could but it was the Chiefs who wanted it more.
Questioned during the campaign whether they were the real deal, the answer was as empthatic as they come.
Chiefs 37 (T.Nanai-Williams, K.Thompson, L.Masaga, S.Williams tries ; A.Cruden 4 con; Cruden 3 pens)
Sharks 6 (F.Michalak 2 pens)
HT: 13-3