Super Rugby fans are being encouraged to make the most of next month's Hurricanes and Blues preseason Super Rugby game at Eketahuna as the fixture will take a break in 2017.
DB commercial manager Nick Rogers said the February 13 clash will be the last one held until 2018. Rogers and his team from Tui Brewery have previously organised five sold-out preseason games involving the Hurricanes franchise and said they've decided to have a year off for a variety of reasons.
"We want to alternate the running of the event with the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow, ensure it stays fresh and most importantly that it remains true to its grassroots rugby philosophy of taking the big game to the small town."
Rogers said the previous games, three of which have been played at Mangatainoka next to Tui Brewery, the 2014 game played at Memorial Park in Masterton and last year's game at Eketahuna, have all been a huge success and gone down a treat with rugby fans in the heartland.
Rogers is looking forward to next month's game and said the excitement is already building in the small township. There will also be a lot of activity at the ground over the next two weeks.
The temporary grandstand which will seat 2500 spectators will begin to be built and the corporate area which will seat around 1000 will start taking shape. Thanks to Mother Nature playing her part the field was in great condition.
Just like last year's sold-out game between the Hurricanes and Crusaders, Eketahuna Rugby Club will have the support of the whole community to ensure the success of the game. The club's junior players will form a guard of honour for both teams and then entertain the crowd at half-time with a series of Rippa Rugby games.
Tickets for the match are available through PGG Wrightson Stores and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for GA and $130pp for corporate tickets. Tickets are also available online at tui.co.nz. Kick-off is at 3pm.