Rucking in for breast cancer

Susan Smith proudly wore pink in support of breast cancer at Saturday's rugby match between Te Puke Sports and Tauranga Sports. She led the Te Puke team out with son Eru Smith-Wano. Photo / Andrew Warner

Two-thousand dollars was raised for breast cancer at a rugby game between two of the Bay's best sides.

Te Puke Sports' Premier rugby side wore one-off pink jerseys against Tauranga Sports on Saturday in the Bayfair Baywide match in honour of the occasion.

At the start of the game, players marched on to the field with their mothers, grandmothers, partners or friends all decked out in pink to show their support for the cause.

Leading the parade was Eru Wano-Smith, who was presented with a blazer to mark his 30th match with the team, and his mother Susan Smith.

Matching her son, Miss Smith was decked out in pink, with a pink hat, pink shirt, pink jewellery and a pink patterned skirt.

She said the atmosphere at the game was "fantastic".

"There's a whole heap of families all wearing pink and our boys are all in pink shirts in support as well.

"There's a huge amount of people here in pink."

Miss Smith said her family, like many, had been affected by breast cancer. She had close friends and family members that had battled the illness.

"I've lost a couple of my best friends that Eru was close to growing up. One used to support all his Rippa rugby games," she said.

It was an extra exciting game for Miss Smith as her son scored two tries in the first half.

"I'm one of those mums who is always running up and down the sidelines in support."

-More photos on page 12 and full coverage of the game on page 30.