Heartland Rugby Alive And Kicking In Mangatainoka

A flurry of Tui billboards maybe waiting in the wings following the success of yesterday’s Super 14 pre-season match between the Hurricanes and the Blues at Mangatainoka that attracted almost 10,000 heartland rugby fans from all over New Zealand.

Themes along the lines of: “Heartland rugby is dead – yeah right” or “You’ll never get a full house at a pre-season match - yeah right” may soon be rolled out across the country after a sellout crowd packed into the specially-made stadium on Neil ‘Skin’ Symonds farm in the small northern Wairarapa Township made famous by the Tui Brewery. Even driving rain and thick mud couldn’t dampen the spirits of fans who donned gumboots and umbrellas making the most of the festive occasion.

Yesterday’s match, which saw the Blues snag a 19-17 victory in the dying minutes, was almost secondary as the day’s pre-match billing as a festival of sport lived up to all expectations. There were helicopter rides, an air show, live music, the Tui Brewery girls and an entertaining curtain raiser which was kicked off by Sir Colin Meads.

“Today just shows that depth of feeling for rugby – it shows that hail, rain or shine people will come out and support their team,” said Tui Brewery commercial manager and Wairarapa resident Nick Rogers, who championed the game to be held in Mangatainoka. “It’s a bit like Glastonbury but not in the UK – it’s just awesome.”

Rugby greats Sir Brian Lochore, Colin ‘Pinetree’ Meads and Ian Kirkpatrick spoke to the 1000 corporate ticket holders on the importance of heartland rugby while sports broadcaster Keith Quinn said it was an honour to speak at the event.

“I’ve been very lucky to look back on my career and think I’ve broadcasted from places like Twickenham and Cardiff Arms Park, Pretoria and the Sydney Cricket Ground,” said Quinn. “But now I can say I’ve been to Skin Symonds farm here at the Mangatainoka Domain, one of the highlights of my rugby career I’m sure.”

“I’ve never seen … so many gumboots which I think are part of the great heartland story of New Zealand rugby and its connection with farming and of course to get here at last and get away from the hotshots of the city and to play on a ground where there maybe and I hope so, some mud,” he added.

Hurricanes player Charlie Ngatai, who scored one of his team’s tries yesterday, said he was overwhelmed with the level of support.

“Wow what a cool day. I mean it’s so cool for these supporters to come out here, especially the ones who often can’t get to Wellington,” he said. “The atmosphere has just been awesome and the crowd amazing.”

Despite the score, Hurricanes Chief Executive Officer Greg Peters couldn’t think of a better way for his team to start the new season.
“This is a fantastic way to kick off the 2010 Hurricanes season and we’re thrilled with the level of support we have received for this historic fixture,” he said. “The team at Tui and the local Mangatainoka community has worked extremely hard to turn this vision into reality.”
In addition 17 community groups were at the game fundraising – selling a variety of food and sausages which were said to go well with Tui-mato sauce.

ENDS

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