Blind New Zealand to play Blind Lions

READY FOR THE BIG MATCH: Ivan Tomo relaxes with his daughters Tapairu (left) and Maioha. But this afternoon is due to be more demanding, with Ivan playing for Blind New Zealand against the Blind Lions in Auckland in the first of three test matches. Picture supplied

BLACK is back.

“We're going to win” was the vow from Gisborne fitness instructor Ivan Te Momo on the eve of playing in this afternoon’s first test of three for Blind New Zealand against the Blind Lions.

The first test at QBE Stadium, better known as North Harbour Stadium, is the world’s first blind rugby international test match.

Te Momo said the Lions had an advantage in that the sport has existed in the British Isles for some time.

The New Zealanders have been training for two days, with only three of them having played rugby before.

The players had to check up on the rules of blind rugby.

The Blind Foundation is supporting the new sport, with the aim of making New Zealand’s national game accessible to the blind and low-vision community.

The two sides are playing a seven-a-side format, with matches played 14 minutes each way on a smaller field than normal.

The football has a rattle inside it.

In another first, the series will debut the world’s only inflatable full-size rugby posts, produced by New Zealand company Packaworld.

Ivan Te Momo said he was partially sighted and had played club rugby in Poverty Bay as a prop for the OBM senior 1 side.

“I haven’t played since last season. I’m a casual player.’’

He jumped at the opportunity to be included in the test series and has attending trials over the past six weeks.

There was still a lot of talent in the New Zealand team, despite the lack of rugby experience, he said.

The squad features players who will become blind ‘‘double All Blacks".

James Dunn (Auckland) captains the side and is also the skipper of the New Zealand Blind Cricket team, the New Zealand BlindCaps.

His son Deacan (Auckland) and BlindCaps teammates Ben Fellows (Hamilton) and Marquele McCaskill (Auckland), will all take the field as newly-capped dual internationals.

Many others in the squad are experienced in other sports.

The second and third tests will both be played on the grounds of the Grammar TEC club at Orakei Domain in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.