Watching the courtship between the Phoenix and Hurricanes teams in Wellington was just as awkward as witnessing Tiger Woods publicly apologise for something that was a private issue.
Seeing rugbyheads rub buff shoulders with the whippet-like football players was like watching the bullies and geeks at school shake hands and hug because the principal told them to.
Despite the awkward nature of the liaison, both codes delivered the goods over the weekend.
The weekend started with a bang, when the Hurricanes beat the Force 47-22 in a tryfest of a game that kept the healthy but reserved crowd happy.
The weakened Force never seemed to fire on all cylinders and the only highlight for me was watching the bulked-up Rodney So'oialo run out in a somewhat tighter yellow jersey again.
The start of the Super 14 is never very exciting as teams test out their dynamics and tweak their moves.
The football season, on the other hand, is at the exciting end of the season.
Westpac Stadium ground staff worked hard to transform the turf from a rugby to football field in less than 24 hours and Phoenix supporters from the length and breadth of New Zealand congregated to the Cake Tin to show their support.
Football crowds are definitely less reserved than rugby spectators and taking off the yellow and black ensemble seems to be the modus operandi of Phoenix fans.
The Phoenix didn't disappoint the 24,000 roaring spectators there to ensure the unbeaten streak in Wellington continues.
Compared to 80 minutes of one-sided competition in rugby, football fans were rewarded with 120 minutes of "oohs" and "aahs" before a penalty shoot-out determined the fate of both teams.
Phoenix goalie Liam Reddy seemed ready to hold up his end of the defensive bargain while Paul Ifill, Andrew Durante, Tim Brown and substitute Adrian Caceres did their attacking jobs superbly.
After exceptional performances by Reddy and Mark Paston, goalkeeping has become cool, rather than corny and, in general, football in New Zealand has gone from strength to strength.
With successful age-grade world events, the All Whites, Auckland City, the Phoenix, and even Terry Serepisos on The Apprentice delivering beyond our expectations, rugby needs to be careful of this staged tango with football.
Gone are the days when rugby presumed the lead role.
Football is no longer overshadowed or intimidated by rugby.
Super rugby has lost a lot of its twinkle-toe magic and in two weeks' time, if the Phoenix can extend its 18-game unbeaten streak in Wellington, football may just ditch its big and clumsy dance partner to take a well-deserved twirl centre-stage, with thousands of New Zealanders cheering them on.
