Hurricanes to return to Eketahuna

The small township of Eketahuna will be the convergence point for two of Super Rugby’s greatest foes next year – the Hurricanes and the Blues - when it hosts a pre-season game for the second year running.

Following the outstanding success of this year’s sold out game between the Hurricanes and Crusaders, the Eketahuna Rugby Club will once again host the Hurricanes when they face the Blues on Saturday, 13th February 2016.

The club’s President Dennis “Doc” Dougherty, says he’s grateful event organisers from Tui Brewery have placed faith in the township to hold the game again. He and his club-mates are looking forward to putting on another memorable event for rugby fans.

“This year’s game was a wonderful day out thanks largely to the positive response we received from the whole community who got in behind to support the day. There’s no doubt we will have the same level of support next year,” he says.

Doc says having leading players from both Super Rugby franchises take to the Eketahuna field, particularly following the All Blacks success at the Rugby World Cup, can only benefit the game at a grass roots level.

“Giving our kids the opportunity to see these top guys playing in their own backyard is priceless and I am confident will help boost our Club’s player numbers and help motivate many young players to remain in the sport, including those who play at a premier level,” says Doc.
Both franchises recently announced their squads for 2016 with the Hurricanes looking to build on the success from 2015. Hurricanes Coach Chris Boyd says he is excited about taking the squad to Eketahuna.

“It’s an enjoyable occasion and will be a great chance for our full squad to come together for their first match of the year,” he says. “All of the players will be pushing hard to stake their claim for the season, so there will certainly be some fantastic Super Rugby on show for the locals.”

It will also be the first time Hurricanes new chief executive officer Avan Lee has been sidelines at the Tui Brewery organised pre-season game. He is looking forward to observing what has become a unique grass roots experience for fans and for the players.

“Grassroots rugby in New Zealand is vital to the success of professional rugby, so it’s pleasing to be able to give something back,” he says. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about this event and can’t wait to be a part of it for the first time.”

The Blues squad is built strongly around six senior players with All Blacks experience comprising captain Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, James Parsons and George Moala while several players are also 21 years of age or under. Of particular note for Hurricanes fans will be former captain Tana Umaga having one of his first outings as Blues Head coach.

Over the coming months Doc and his club-mates will work closely with the Council and local contractors in ensuring the grounds are Super Rugby match ready come February 13th. He will also work with community groups to ensure visitors to the small township are treated to genuine rural hospitality and that here is enough seating to accommodate all 4000 ticket holders, including corporate ticket holders.

Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, says February’s game will continue a grand tradition of bringing the big game to the small town. Mr Rogers and his team have previously organised five sold-out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise – three of which have been played at Mangatainoka, next to Tui Brewery; the 2014 game played at Memorial Park in Masterton and this year’s game at Eketahuna.

“Tui has always championed bringing the big game of Super Rugby back to provincial New Zealand and we are stoked that Eketahuna can host it again in 2016 following the amazing success of this year’s event which was a sell-out and involved the entire community,” says Mr Rogers.

Tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game will go on sale on Wednesday, November 11th and be available through PGG Wrightson Stores and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for GA and $130pp for Corporate Tickets. Also available on www.tui.co.nz