Brendon Edmonds (centre) in action.
Brendon Edmonds and Ash Dixon know they are going to become targeted enemies of their Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby coach Craig Philpott in a fortnight.
But the Highlanders prop and hooker also know their focus shouldn't wander too much towards their Maori All Blacks July 18 clash with the Barbarians in Auckland until they've ticked off another crucial date ... Saturday night's Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
"I'm on a pretty big high this week and stoked to be selected for the Maori All Blacks for a second time. The phone has certainly taken a hammering," Edmonds, 24, said after the Maori team to play Fiji on July 11 and the Barbarians was named yesterday.
"Fingers crossed I will get another start for the Highlanders so I can have another battle with Ben," he said, referring to Canes and All Black tighthead and former Magpies prop Ben Franks.
As yesterday's selection suggests, Edmonds has had another outstanding Super season but he said there were still aspects of his game he wanted to improve.
"The collision area and my ball-carrying into the collision area," Edmonds, who will have another year with the Highlanders next year, said.
When it was put to him Philpott, an assistant coach of the Barbarians, will use every bit of knowledge he has on the Highlanders pair when he prepares what is likely to be a star-studded BaaBaas pack to take on the Maori All Blacks, Edmonds replied: "We know exactly what forwards patterns Pottsie will take into the Barbarians camp. I'm sure there will be a few quiet beers at stake between us and Pottsie."
A third-season Maori All Black, Dixon, 26, said this has been an awesome week for him.
"Not many players get the opportunity to play in a Super Rugby final. Hopefully I will be one of the two hookers when the team is named on Thursday," Dixon, like Edmonds a former Cane, said.
"The Canes have beaten us twice and are the form team of the competition. I'm excited to have the opportunity to get another crack at them.
"As for the Maori All Blacks ... they are a prestigious team and I'm very fortunate to have been selected again. Hopefully I do the team and my family proud," Dixon said.
Philpott said he would not hesitate to use all of his knowledge on Edmonds and Dixon when they became rivals. "I don't want them to spend the next three months reminding me of a win in their favour."
While rapt for the pair, he was disappointed Magpies and Blues first five-eighth Ihaia West missed out on a third consecutive season in the national team. Philpott agreed Chiefs pivot Damian McKenzie's versatility - he is also a classy fullback - gave him the edge.
West will be at Magpies training tonight and is likely to be in the 23 to take on Wairarapa Bush in the first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season on July 9.
Hawke's Bay age-group product and Chiefs halfback Brad Weber , has made the Maori All Blacks squad for the first time. Weber, who is likely to get game time with the All Blacks against Samoa next Wednesday, qualifies through his family's Ngati Porou affiliations.
The Maori All Blacks squad is
Forwards: Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Quentin MacDonald, Chris Eves, Brendon Edmonds, Josh
Hohneck, Ben May, Hayden Triggs, Jacob Skeen, Blade Thomson, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Crosswell.
Backs: Jamison Gibson-Park, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Otere Black, Jason Emery,
Charlie Ngatai (c), Sean Wainui, Kurt Baker, Rieko Ioane, Marty McKenzie, Matt Proctor, Codey Rei.