The Blackcaps' dramatic progress to the Cricket World Cup final has another champion NZ team scrambling to plan their weekend viewing schedule.
As they prepared to fly out to Argentina for their opening Rugby Championship clash with the Pumas next week, the All Blacks turned up to training on Thursday with bags under their eyes, still buzzing from the cricketers' heroic win over India in the semi-final.
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"So good," said veteran All Blacks fullback Ben Smith. "Last night, I couldn't really turn the telly off.
"Obviously, we had training this morning, but I kept watching last night… it was awesome to see the boys get the job done."
Midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown confirmed the team was running on fumes, after a one-day contest extended to two by rain.
"It was pretty inspiring stuff," he told a media conference. "But it's been a couple of late nights, so if we could speed this up, so we can get a nap in over lunch, that would be great."
Smith confirmed assistant coach Ian Foster pulled an all-nighter to watch the match, with captain Kieran Read and utility back Jordie Barrett other ardent cricket fanatics.
If anyone can identify with the pressure at that level, the two-time defending Rugby World Cup champions certainly can and Smith admitted the All Blacks found themselves caught up in the contest.
"I think the whole country does," he said. "It's pretty exciting, seeing them go about their work - it's going to be interesting, watching the final and getting in behind them."
There's just one logistical challenge to that plan though - they're unlikely to find any live coverage on Argentinian TV, given that country's minimal interest in cricket.
"I'm sure we'll find a way - we'll make it happen," said Smith.
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Join us at 7:30pm Thursday for live updates of the England v Australia Cricket World Cup semi-final
