One of the great attractions of NZ Rugby's Heartland competition is its down-to-earth nature - and it doesn't get any more rustic than Ngati Porou East Coast vs Poverty Bay at Ruatoria.
But the side-line distractions proved too much for live-stream commentator Bailey Mackey, who began lobbying for a replacement as half-time approached on Saturday.
Mackey missed the visitors scoring their first try, admitting that he was too busy updating his Instagram account at the time.
"Is anyone keen to commentate the second half?" he then asked his audience. "If you are, come find me - I'm in front of the grandstand.
"Pretty keen to go have a feed and a couple of beers."
Sadly for Mackey, he was unable to find a replacement and was obliged to see out the match, which ended in a 26-19 Poverty Bay victory.
But he was complimented on his display on social media by Sky Sport rugby commentator Scotty Stevenson, who described it as…
"The greatest commentary of all time. Ever, In any sport. Ever #rugby #careergoals."
Mackey tweeted in response: "Just out there trying to inspire the next generation of broadcasters.
"Plus it's been a few years since our last win, ya know, and we were up at half-time."
Mackey - a former Three and Maori TV broadcaster - is currently East Coast Rugby Union president and was apparently filling in for a commentator that had gone missing in action the night before.
With time up on the clock and the score locked at 19-19, Poverty Bay scored an intercept try to deny the home team at least a draw.
The result kept East Coast winless for the season - they last won in 2014 - at the foot of the Heartland table.
Newshub.
