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Rugby-mad sportscaster Hamish McKay has just been named TV3's new sports presenter, but says there will still be room for other codes when he's at the helm.
"I think I'll have to try and strike the balance. There was some old research done that showed the punters wanted
at least 40% rugby so I'll be pushing the rugby barrow pretty hard," McKay said this afternoon.
"I love sport so much anyway that I have a pretty good feel for most of them. But I must admit when you're fully focussed on rugby, some sports can pass you by."
One thing he will have to work on is people's names, the rugby commentator said.
"There's all these names that take some getting the tongue around, so there'll be some brushing up in that department."
McKay will continue in his role as rugby editor when he takes up the presenting role in late-January next year.
The position has been open since September when former presenter Clint Brown resigned from the role following an alleged punch up in Taupo, which left him with a broken eye socket.
The station has been rotating McKay, Shaun Summerfield and Michelle Pickles in the sports slot ever since.
McKay has worked for TV3 for the past ten years, both as a sports reporter and rugby commentator.
"It's a good opportunity that doesn't come along every day, so I'm really looking forward to it."
While McKay is happy to follow in Brown's footsteps as sports presenter, it's unlikely you'll see him involved in any bar brawls.
The rugby editor has long been the butt of Pulp Sport's running joke 'McKay-ver' - a MacGuyver spoof, which sees the shows hosts Bill and Ben play a variety of practical jokes on the sports reporter.
Throughout the show's two series on TV3, McKay has never lost his temper with the jokers, despite having his car covered Post It notes, his desk tin foiled and a rotting fish left in his drawer.
"When they said they might not be using me next season I was quite offended," he said, laughing.
"I think people appreciate if you can have a bit of a laugh at yourself and you certainly have to with those boys."
The announcement comes just two days after McKay's predecessor made his first television appearance since September, partaking in TV One quiz show Game of Two Halves.
Brown denied the appearance was the start of a comeback, saying, "There's nothing to say at this stage."
