The Wanganui rugby juggernaut is into another Meads Cup final this weekend.

Wanganui are quietly becoming a powerhouse of Heartland Championship rugby.

The largest union in the competition, which is unbeaten this year, is gearing up for a tilt at a fifth Meads Cup title when they take on Buller in the final at Cooks Garden on Saturday.

No other union has won the Meads Cup more than twice.

Kerry Marshall Wanganui Roman Tutauha hooker, here skipping out of the tackle of Zac Guildford, had a massive game in their Meads Cup semifinal win over Wairarapa-Bush last weekend.

The Butcher Boys have formed a dominating presence in the in the amateur competition since its inception in 2006.

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This will be their ninth soiree in the final in 11 years.

During the two years they weren't involved in the final, they won the Lochore Cup in 2014 and were knocked out in the semifinals in 2013.

But this season's team may be one of their best yet.

They breezed through the eight-match regular season with eight wins, picking up six bonus points along the way.

Coach Jason Caskey believed their success was not just down to the size of the union.

He said the continuity of the way the team has been run and the atmosphere within the team have played vital roles.

"We put a lot of work of getting where we are and keeping it there," he said.

Caskey has been with Wanganui since 2006, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach from 2011.

"Since day one of the competition with Guy Lennox we spent a lot of time building the culture within the squad. We got it to where we wanted it and we have been able to keep it there. To be fair we have been able to keep hold of a large amount of players for a number of years."

Flanker and captain Peter Rowe personifies that commitment to the union, having racked up more than 100 games since his debut in 2003.

Caskey has also focused on ensuring young players know that they do not have to rush off to bigger provinces to crack the big time.

A handful of Super Rugby players started their careers with the Butcher Boys, including former Chiefs Michael FitzGerald and Asaeli​ Tikoirotuma​.

Last year's Wanganui squad included now Taranaki and Blues five-eighth Stephen Perofeta​ and Crusaders academy player Poasa​ Waqanibau.

"A lot of young guys at a lot of Heartland unions think that they have got to go to the bigger provinces to make it," Caskey said. "They don't need to.

"If they play Heartland rugby and play well they get identified.

"The pathway is here, you just have to play well and put your hand up. I think that it is brilliant that young guys can represent their home province first and then go on from there.

"You are always sad to see them go, but you are always really happy that they have done well and they have had their opportunity through us."

Among the player he expected big things from in this year's squad was outside back Te Rangitira Waitokia​.

The 20-year-old returned to the province after playing for the Manawatu under 19s while studying in Palmerston North last year.

Waitokia leads the Heartland Championship with 10 tries this year.

"He can step off either foot at pace, which you don't see too many guys who are like that, Christian Cullen is probably the best at that I have seen," Caskey said. "This guy has got a bit of potential. I am not saying that he is Christian Cullen, but he has definitely got the ability to go a bit further yet."

But it is not just the young players stepping up, former Highlanders, Otago, Manawatu and Bay of Plenty utility Craig Clare has also played an important role.

The 32-year-old has slotted into the No 10 and 12 jerseys this year.

"He not a young fellow any more but still has the brains side of things 100 per cent," Caskey said. "He has been really good with his leadership and level head."

Halfback Lindsay Horrocks, fullback Ace Malo and hooker Cole Baldwin have been other standouts for the team this year.

With a lot of finals experience in the team, Caskey said he has taken a low key approach to the week.

He was confident his team was capable of capitalising on their strong season by taking the game to Buller in the final.

"Rugby is always the same. It is 50 per cent attitude and 50 per cent what you actually front with.

"The good thing at this time of the year with semis and finals you don't have to worry about getting that attitude, it comes by itself."