Rugby: Free food attracts crowd

Kara Pryor on the charge for Northland last season. Tonight he will be in Blues colours. Photo / John Stone

A new initiative to get more families at Northland rugby games has been hailed as a success before a ball has even been kicked.

Any child under the age of 14 will be able to eat for free at tonight's game between the Blues and Northland Barbarians, provided they have purchased a ticket pre-game.

These tickets can be purchased at the Northland Rugby Union office.

NRU's Alistair McGinn said the strategy has increased pre-game sales for tonight's match immensely.

"Kids eating free is a new initiative to help boost pre-sales. It created a record number of pre-sales for us and we're thrilled," he said.

"It enables kids that wouldn't necessarily come due to the cost of food to get along to the game."

The initiative has garnered a large amount of interest and it's something that the NRU will be looking to continue.

"We will prolong this initiative in some form for the Mitre 10 Cup. The Barbarians themselves have been a huge help for this."

Meanwhile, Northland Barbarians coach Richie Harris and Blues coach Tana Umaga have named their respective sides for tonight's clash.

Three Northland players feature for the Blues in this match: flanker Kara Pryor, hooker Matt Moulds and prop Namatahi Waa.

New Blues signing Josh Goodhue will run out at lock for the Barbarians side.

Umaga said the game is an opportunity for the team to practice their combinations and work flow on the field before the season recommences.

"Northland Rugby Union is providing a great opportunity for us to get on to the field and have a good hit out, especially as we haven't played together for three weeks," he said.

"We're taking everything in to this game that we would into a regular season match.

"The boys have been training pretty hard and I know they're all ready to get back onto the field and play as a team."

The June international window has been an opportunity for players and coaches to gain some representative experience.

The fixture will be good preparation for the Blues ahead of their final three Super Rugby games, while is offers a chance for Northland players to press their claims for Mitre 10 Cup selection.

The game kicks off at 6:30pm.

Blues: Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, Michael Little, Matt McGahan, Tevita Li, Piers Francis, Billy Guyton, Joe Edwards, Kara Pryor, Hoani Matenga, Josh Bekhuis, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons (c), Sam Prattley.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Matt Moulds, Namatahi Waa, Nic Mayhew, Scott Scrafton, Brandon Nansen, Blake Gibson, Bryn Hall, Will Talataina Mu, Matt Vaega, Afa Fa'atau, Lolagi Visina.

Northland Barbarians: Josef Glamuzina, Levi Clark, Tamati Tua, Warren Dunn, Wisea Lewabuka, Peter Breen, Malcolm McLeod, Matt Matich, Aorangi Stokes, Tom Robinson, Shane Neville, Josh Goodhue, Phil Kite, Jordan Olsen, Howard Sililoto.

Reserves: Ben Tou, Curtis Toapuho/Sesimani Tupou, Chris Apoua, Thomas Dwyer, Michael Faleafa, Conor Lawson, Taniela Manu, Matty Marwick, Solomona Paraki, Jordan Hyland, James Cherrington, Tyler Lansdowne.