His father Peter played for Natal and Peter's father played for Natal. Peter was the first New Zealand polo player to take a team to South Africa in 1972.
"Dad was a founding member of the Lions River club in Natal, the same club Don plays for," Wood explained referring to Don McHardy, who captains the six-goal South African side which will end their four-match Central Districts tour with today's clash.
"My great, great, great grandfather was one of the early settlers in South Africa. He had 13 children and his wife died when she was having the 14th," Wood, who started playing polo as a 12-year-old, said.
Polo continues to be a family affair for the Woods. Wood's son Monty also plays for the Bay club and next month will head to England to play for the New Forest club which Wood used to play for.
His daughter Emily also played last year but this summer she made rowing her priority. Emily was a member of the Hawke's Bay club's novice girls eight crew which won bronze at last month's Lake Karapiro-hosted national championships.
"On the weekends Debs [Wood's wife] is busy with Emily at rowing regattas and Monty and I are busy with polo. We catch up with each other in the evenings and compare notes," Wood said.
A former four handicapper who plays off a one these days, Wood once played against Prince Charles during one of his stints in the United Kingdom. He also fixed his sticks.
"There are only 10,000 players around the world so it doesn't take long for everyone to get to know one another," Wood quipped.
Central Districts No 1 player today, Wood pointed out the South African players are similar to the Kiwi contingent they will take on.
"Three of them are farmers and they are all horsemen. They can all adjust to any horse they jump on without any issues. A lot of city players can't do that."
"The South Africans have been wonderful ambassadors. They came out with few expectations, have been blown away with what their host families have offered and they can't wait to reciprocate.
"Our club members have lent 17 horses for the match. They have given their best horses too, some of them are $25,000 horses so in terms of horse power both teams will be evenly matched."
CD's No 3, professional Aaron Vowles, who plays off a three handicap, will be the key playmaker for the hosts. He has yet to play against the tourists as he was involved with a professional event in Wellington last weekend when the South Africans lost 4-3 to Hawke's Bay in Hastings and beat Wanstead 5-2 at Wanstead.
On Thursday the tourists drew 2-all with Rangitikei in Rangitikei. Originally Rangitikei and Poverty Bay players were also eligible for selection for today's Central Districts team but the Rangitikei players opted out and a recent accident involving a transport truck for the Poverty Bay club took 12 of their horses out of the equation.
"I'm confident it will be a great game of polo if the rest of us can give Aaron [Vowles] the necessary support," Wood said.
McDonald will have the No 2 role for CD and Reisima the No 4 job.
Wood, Reisima and Hawke's Bay's Bill Glazebrook have accepted an invitation to play in South Africa during June and July. They expect to finalise their fourth player this weekend.
The South Africans, who are playing out of season, have improved with each of their four games and produced some hard and fast polo on Thursday.
No 1 Brent Chubb proved he is just as comfortable out in the open as he is with the close combat physical stuff. Fellow one goaler, No 2 Andrew Gilson, was again accurate when in possession at pace.
Captain and No 3 McHardy, who play off a two handicap, reads play well and is seldom caught out of possession. Fellow two goaler and No 4 Lionel Foster marshals the defence well and Vowles will have to be at his best to get the better of Foster and McHardy.
Teams for the 11.45am match:
Central Districts: George Wood (1 h/c), Simon McDonald (2), Aaron Vowles (3), John Reisima (1).
South Africa: Brett Chubb (1), Andrew Gilson (1), Don McHardy (2), Lionel Foster (2).
