Top 10 snacks for watching rugby

We've hand picked the best snacks to soak up the beersies. Photo / Thinkstock

Hopefully our hearts won't be in our mouths for the entire game as we watch the All Blacks take on the Wallabies tonight. A person will need to keep up their strength as they battle through the highs and lows. Turn the snack table into a battleground too, where the best of Kiwi food takes on those Aussie adopters:

1: Sausage rolls

Since forever (well primary school birthday parties anyway) the sausage roll has been the epitome of celebration foods. Smothered in Watties' finest, naturally. Make your own modern groovy version or there's no shame in baking from the supermarket frozen section (Kiwi cookery icon's Alison Holst's are our favourite).

2: Mini lamb sliders

Chicken wings, left, and Mini lamb sliders. Photos / Bite.co.nz

To make the burger Kiwi as, you have to add beetroot. Tinned slices, no argument. The Aussies may have one or two more sheep than we do, but we know ours tastes a whole lot better.

3: Prawns

Ocker as, when you throw another shrimp on the barbie. These two versions are a whole lot easier (make them on the grill pan inside, nobody's gonna be relaxed enough to stand around outside in the chill when there's a game to win). Try Barbecue prawn skewers with chilli lime or Pancetta-wrapped prawns with caper aioli and lemon.

4: Mini meat pies

Mini mince pies, left, and Pancetta-wrapped prawns with caper aioli and lemon. Photos / Bite.co.nz

The jury is out on whether the meat pie started with us or them. Whatever, it's comfort food when you're getting tense and need something to soak up those anxious beersies. Try this recipe for mini mince pies.

5: Marmite things

Use half time to argue the merits of Marmite versus Vegemite - you're in an arguing mood anyway. The debate will probably degenerate to kindergarten-level name calling, so time to bring out the best kindy finger food - mousetraps or cheesy-mite scrolls.

Anzac biscuits, left, and Bacon mussels. Photo / Bite.co.nz

6: Chicken wings

We think, somewhere, there is an international Code of Football Foods that always has to include spicy chicken wings. Recapture that post-game drive-through experience with Food Truck Michael's (kinda) healthy version of the colonel's best.

7: Bacon mussels

There isn't a dish in the world that isn't improved by bacon. Slurp down this classic combo of great New Zealand mussels and bacon and you just know we're onto a winning streak.

8: Wedges and dips

Chicken sausage rolls, left, and wedges. Photos / Bite.co.nz, Thinkstock

The beetroot in the slider nearly counts. But slip in one vege, just one. These wedges and dip are waaaay better than the ones in Eden Park, truly. Aren't you glad you're watching from the couch?

9: Anzac biscuits

C'mon, you know under the skin we're all brothers. Share the love with the classic Anzac biscuits.

10: Lamingtons

Christmas lamingtons, left, and Cheesy-mite scrolls. Photo / Bite.co.nz

This is not the time to bring out the pavlova battles. You can be more subtle than that, as you reclaim the lamington from our trans-Tasman cuzzies. Test the loyalties of your guests: dip half the sponge squares in lemon and lime jelly (one colour end each, you got that, eh?) and the other half in dark, black chocolate. Eat.