It may have been hugs and kisses off-field, but no love was lost on-field during the under-21 polocrosse clash between New Zealand and New South Wales from Australia in Taumarunui last weekend.
The opposing sides featured Whanganui cousins Bayley Phillips and Katie Wills who both grew up riding station hacks in the hills of Mangamahu.
Both sets of parents - Curly and Sharron Phillips and Phil and Tracy Wills - have worked in the Mangamahu Valley where the cousins were born for decades, so it is hardly surprising the girls can ride.
Phil Wills still works on Aranui Station where many polocrosse ponies were bred and educated by the Collins family (Rick and Andy) who imported Australian-bred stock.
At one time in recents seasons the now 20-year-olds were on the same side in the New Zealand under-21 team until Wills moved to Australia settling in with a polocrosses family. She was soon selected for the NSW under-21 team.