Rugby fans in Aotearoa make sure you have your alarms set for nice and early tomorrow morning as the All Blacks take on the Springboks at Twickenham just a fortnight before the Rugby World Cup begins in France on September 8.
Kick-off is at 6:30 am New Zealand time and while there has been much debate around team selection ahead of the match, both Dom 'The Dominator' George and Hamish 'The Hitman' McKay agree that this is the time to get the best 15 on the field together.
"I think it's a wonderful move to put your best available team out there on the paddock, cards on the table let's rock and roll," George said.
"Marker in the sand time, this is the team, let's get them oiled."
McKay echoed that sentiment and is excited to see how the ABs fare against the defending RWC champions.
"No matter who wins this game, they will take a psychological advantage into the RWC and there's so much merit in that so yeah, play your best team."
The two had slightly different opinions on the recent news of former All-Black coach Sir Steve Hansen joining close friend and current Wallabies coach Eddie Jones' set up recently.
While both admitted that Hansen has every right to go wherever he pleases, McKay explained that helping the AB's closest rivals on the eve of a World Cup felt a bit sour.
"It feels a little cheap and nasty to me…I'm not convinced that's Kosha to be fair," he said.
Athletics nut McKay has been glued to the TV this week following the World Athletics Championships in Budapest as a significant Kiwi cohort took on some of the world's best athletes.
While some of the more established competitors, unfortunately, went out earlier than expected, McKay said there was a lot to be proud about.
"Connor Bell, the discus thrower, a great effort, George Beamish in the 3000m steeple chase and then you have the women's 100m and Zoe Hobbs who missed the final by 1/100 of a second.
"The commentators and I just take their word for it, said it is the best lineup across the board in a women's 100m in history. She was drastically unlucky but still an incredible performance."
Bell and Hobbs both secured top-10 finishes in their respective events while Beamish exceeded expectations taking home fifth place, the best-ever finish by a Kiwi athlete in the 3000m steeple chase's 40-year history.
The third-place Warriors take on the St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday night at Mt Smart stadium with the Kiwi side looking to keep their spot near the top of the table while the Dragons are hoping to move away from the bottom of the table.
Keeping the momentum going was the key message McKay and George had as 'the wahs' look for their highest finish since 2007 when they last managed to make the top four.
"There's a lot to like about what's happening out there at old Mt Smart," Mckay said.
The biggest talking point about the Warriors trip first to the playoffs in five years, is where any potential home games will be played. While Mt Smart is 'the home of the Warriors' Eden Park offers more seats and a larger stadium, which McKay pointed out could prove an advantage when it comes to playing across the ditch.
"If you're going to make the Grand Final you are going to be playing in Stadium Australia, you're not going to be playing in Mt Smart and we've got to get over the idea that this is some sort of psychological disadvantage to the Warriors."
The boys also touched on some recent college rugby drama between Scots College and Fielding High School where Scots advanced to the final of the Hurricanes Schools Rugby competition in controversial fashion.
The game was forced to go to uncontested scrums early in the first half after both of Scots College's props left the game injured and they had no replacement front rowers available on the bench.
Scepticism around the ethics of this decision to not select replacement front rowers saw Fielding successfully appeal the match following Scots College's victory. However after the win was overturned, Scots College successfully appealed the decision reversing the result back in their favour.
It is not up to Fielding to re-appeal again if they feel they were unfairly defeated based on the laws of the game.
Listen to the full chat between Dominic 'The Dominator' George and Hamish 'The Hitman' McKay above.
To check out more episodes listen to the REX Today Podcast anytime on your favourite streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Rova or tune in to REX Mornings live on Magic from 5 am to 6 am every weekday.
Visit the Rural Exchange Facebook or Instagram page for more information and regular updates from the REX team.
