 By the end of World War II, the WIFU's play was at the same level as that of the Big Four.Within a few years after the return of peace, both interprovincial unions had turned openly professional.However, while the Big Four champion got an automatic berth to the Grey Cup final, until 1954 the WIFU's champion had to play in a semi-final against the champion of the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU)–by then, the only amateur union still competing for the Grey Cup.