It's the revival of a match which used to be a staple on the New Zealand rugby calendar.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020
But the confusion has continued surrounding next weekend's scheduled North-South fixture.
Already still yet to confirm a venue for the game, New Zealand Rugby learned on Wednesday all-important travel exemptions for 13 Auckland-based players were far from a sure thing.
Sports Minister Grant Robertson confirmed there would be no special treatment for the national body .
"No there's not [an update].
"Obviously they'll need to go through the same exemption process as anyone else would, and put their case forward."
The 13 players in question, almost a quarter of those selected for the match, needed the clearance to travel to Wellington, where both squads were set to assemble on Monday.
That was also where they may stay, with the capital in line to host if Auckland wasn't approved to drop down from level three next Wednesday.
A decision on where the match will be played is set for Friday, but Robertson's comments indicated the obstacles in front of New Zealand Rugby were bigger than just getting a venue locked in.
Earlier on Wednesday Health Minister Chris Hipkins told Morning Report he was unaware of any request from NZR for player travel exemptions, and doubtful they would even be possible.
"We've certainly been very, very limited in the exemptions we're giving.
"For example, even members of Parliament from Auckland are not travelling to Wellington for Parliament sitting at the moment.
"We are saying to people, please do your bit and stay in Auckland."
Responding to Hipkins' comments, New Zealand Rugby confirmed they were going through the process for exemptions but wouldn't elaborate on what stage that process was at.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster was asked about the situation on Tuesday and said they were preparing as best they could for any eventuality.
"We don't actually want to push too many buttons on any alternative plans until we know what the government's intending to announce on Friday.
"We know no more than you guys, and right now we're just pushing ahead."
What failure to gain clearance for the players in question meant for the match remained to be seen.
But in the wake of the uncertainty added by the Health Minister, Grant Roberston's position suggested the national body still had significant hoops to jump through.
"Clearly we are trying to limit movement in and out of Auckland and so any exemption would have to meet a high threshold."
A lot to be done, to ensure a match a lot are looking forward can indeed be played.
