When it comes to provincial pride, there aren't many more willing to express it than the All Blacks.
In fact, along with the banter in-camp, players and even team management are willing to put money or a free lunch on the line to prove how confident they are about Mitre 10 Cup matches this year.
Sam Cane and Liam Squire revealed today despite their busy rugby schedules, there's always time to support their regions and even put their money where their mouth is.
"Often 20 bucks is put on those sorts of games - I lost 20 bucks to Brodie over the Battle of the Bays (Hawke's Bay v Bay of Plenty) last week.
"I think Fozzy (assistant coach Ian Foster) and Beaudy (Beauden Barrett) had lunch on the Ranfurly Shield game on the weekend so Beaudy has to take Foz out for lunch on Wednesday."
Cane said Ranfurly Shield matches are especially important in the All Blacks.
"The shield game was big. Everyone from those sides were crammed up watching it Sunday arvo and although Jordie [Barrett] hasn't played for Taranaki, he was fuming.
"The result doesn't affect us but you try to get a reaction out of him!"
Squire said Friday night's top-of-the-table clash between his Tasman teammates and Auckland didn't hurt him too much after the Mako were beaten 36-10.
"Rieko [Ioane] was too scared with how Tasman has been going so they didn't put a bet on!"
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