The much-anticipated Rugby World Cup game between New Zealand and France will be matched by a culinary challenge featuring New Zealand lamb.
Two top chefs will go head-to-head in the kitchen on Thursday at The Cloud, on Queen's Wharf, in Auckland.
New Zealand chef Al Brown will be joined in the kitchen by former All Black captain Tana Umaga.
French chef Philippe Clergue will have a helping hand from former French rugby international Olivier Magne.
The winner will be decided by three judges, including food writer Annabel Langbein.
The chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Rob Slater, says the chefs have chosen interesting cuts of lamb to work with, including sweetbreads and neck fillets.
Silver Fern Farms is providing the meat for the challenge, which begins at 5.30pm on Thursday.
The All Blacks take on France at 8.30pm on Saturday at Eden Park.
