A trans-Tasman rivalry is brewing on social media ahead of a clash between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final on Sunday.

Tensions reached new heights just hours before the big clash, but it didn’t involve the clubs or the fans.

Rival airline sponsors Qantas and Air New Zealand put a wager on the match, which will have the losers left to dwell wearing the winner’s colours.

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At first, Air New Zealand (backing the All Blacks) attempted to coax Qantas (sporting the Wallabies) to paint its 737 aircrafts with a lick of black paint if they lost, on Twitter.

Union fans were enjoying the online banter, following the hashtags #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS, calling it good sportsmanship by all.

.@Qantas So we’ve been thinking about this wager. How about you paint your planes like this? #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/46HhWkVyi7

— Air New Zealand (@FlyAirNZ) October 29, 2015

In which Qantas responded.

.@FlyAirNZ While black is slimming, we think it needs a golden touch. Something like this… #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/FxADqwUsdJ — Qantas (@Qantas) October 29, 2015

@Qantas No thanks – we wouldn’t want to slow our planes down. You know… with all that extra paint. Leave it with us. #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS

— Air New Zealand (@FlyAirNZ) October 29, 2015

@FlyAirNZ We wouldn’t think you’d be in a hurry to get here when you lose. Keep in touch. #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS

— Qantas (@Qantas) October 29, 2015

But, in the end Air New Zealand had other ideas for the flying kangaroo, suggesting that all crew wore the All Blacks jersey.

.@Qantas OK, how about this? On Monday in the air, your crew wear our jerseys. #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS — Air New Zealand (@FlyAirNZ) October 30, 2015

  Qantas agreed – but increased the anti. 

.@FlyAirNZ It’s on! But let’s not leave the pilots out, yours shall speak our name when the #Qantas @Wallabies win! #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS — Qantas (@Qantas) October 30, 2015

@Qantas @Wallabies Sounds like a deal. Shall we take this offline? #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS

— Air New Zealand (@FlyAirNZ) October 30, 2015

@FlyAirNZ We’ll be waiting by the phone. Speak soon! #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS

— Qantas (@Qantas) October 30, 2015

Meanwhile, the build-up for the first ever meeting in a Rugby World Cup final between arch-rivals Australia and New Zealand is intensifying.

On Thursday, the Wallabies said the the level of belief and trust they gained from playing – and winning – four consecutive mighty contests against England, Wales, Scotland and Argentina is priceless as they look to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record third time.

By comparison, Steve Hansen’s All Blacks breezed through their pool after a tough opening fixture against the Pumas with facile wins over Georgia, Tonga and Namibia before crushing France 62-13 in the quarter-finals.

Catch the title decider on Sunday at 3am AEDT from Twickenham, watch it on Gem and Fox Sports.