Code clash tests TV viewers’ loyalties

Rugby or League? Kiwis or All Blacks?

Sure to divide TV audiences throughout the country tomorrow morning, both our boys in black kick off at 9am — with the All Blacks starting their end of year tour against Ireland in Chicago while the Kiwis take on the Kangaroos in Coventry as the 2016 Four Nations rolls on.

A transtasman showdown is a mouth- watering prospect in any sport and after an opening round Four Nations win over England, the Kiwis’ push to retain the trophy continues against reigning World Cup champions Australia.

The Kiwis have been revving up for this one in style, training midweek at Manchester City’s world- class Etihad Campus complex.

But one nervous punter will definitely be tuning in to the rugby, having plonked $ 100,000 on the All Blacks to go undefeated all season, which stands to return them a $ 50,000 profit.

Steve Hansen’s men play the first of two games against Ireland — the team who the All Blacks needed a last minute win against in November 2013.

The sides haven’t met since that 24- 22 encounter in Dublin, with many saying the Irish could be the banana skin for the All Blacks’ world record winning streak of 18 games.

New Zealand fans are expected to be outnumbered at the 61,500- seat Soldier Field stadium, with Chicago’s huge Irish heritage.