It's all set fair for final clash

On the same team in Parliament but on opposing sides when it comes rugby games between Hawke's Bay and Wellington. Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson (left) and Napier MP Stuart Nash

The weather's playing into the fans' hands as the Magpies celebrate a huge day in Hawke's Bay with a national rugby championship final against Wellington in Napier tonight.

Metservice forecast some morning rain but otherwise mainly fine weather, with high cloud and temperatures up to 26C for the last day of the Royal Show in Hastings.

Some northwesterly gusts are expected but it should be calm for the rugby at McLean Park, which kicks off at 7.35pm, a southerly turn being forecast for closer to midnight.

With 5500 tickets gone, Hawke's Bay Rugby Union marketing manager Jay Campbell said some steps had been taken to cope with a bigger crowd than anticipated.

"It is very pleasing," he said, "but please don't all turn up at the last minute."

The game's found a place at Parliament where Labour MPs Stuart Nash, Napier, and Grant Robertson, Wellington Central, tried to decide it on the pass of a ball, when they possibly should have been trying to pass a bill.

"There is always a friendly rivalry when our teams play," Mr Nash said.

"I think I'm ahead, to be honest." The Napier MP will be at the Park, Mr Robertson in front of a TV screen, but the story will be told in their text messages.

"There's a dozen beers in this result. Go the mighty Bay."

Tickets are available at the Union's McLean Park offices, on line at www.ticketdirect.co.nz or phone 0800 224224. Gates open at 6pm. The buildup includes a mascots race and youth opera group Prima Volta leading the national anthem.