Rugby: Eketahuna hosts stars

Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, left, and Avan Lee, Hurricanes CEO, at the Eketahuna rugby grounds. Photo / Supplied

The small township of Eketahuna will see two of Super Rugby's greatest foes - the Hurricanes and the Blues - do battle when it hosts a pre-season game for the second year running early next year.

After the outstanding success of this year's sold-out game between the Hurricanes and Crusaders, club president Dennis "Doc" Dougherty says he's grateful event organisers from Tui Brewery have placed faith in Eketahuna holding the game again. He and his clubmates are looking forward to putting on another memorable event for rugby fans.

"This year's game was a wonderful day out thanks largely to the positive response we received from the whole community who got in behind to support the day. There's no doubt we will have the same level of support next year," he says.

Dougherty says having leading players from both Super Rugby franchises take to the Eketahuna field, particularly after the All Blacks success at the Rugby World Cup, can only benefit the game at a grass roots level.

"Giving our kids the opportunity to see these top guys playing in their own backyard is priceless and I am confident will help boost our club's player numbers and help motivate many young players to remain in the sport, including those who play at a premier level."

Both franchises have announced their squads for 2016 with the Hurricanes looking to build on the success from 2015. Their coach Chris Boyd says he is excited about taking his squad to Eketahuna.

"It's an enjoyable occasion and will be a great chance for our full squad to come together for their first match of the year," he said. "All of the players will be pushing hard to stake their claim for the season, so there will certainly be some fantastic Super Rugby on show for the locals."

It will also be the first time Hurricanes new chief executive officer Avan Lee has been sideline at the Tui Brewery-organised pre-season game. He is looking forward to observing what has become a unique grassroots experience for fans and for the players.

"Grassroots rugby in New Zealand is vital to the success of professional rugby, so it's pleasing to be able to give something back," he said. "I've heard a lot of good things about this event and can't wait to be a part of it for the first time."

The Blues squad is built strongly around six senior players with All Blacks experience, captain Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, James Parsons and George Moala while several players are also 21 or under.

Of particular note for Hurricanes fans will be former captain Tana Umaga having one of his first outings as Blues head coach.

Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, says February's game will continue a grand tradition of bringing the big game to the small town. Rogers and his team have previously organised five sold-out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise - three of which have been played at Mangatainoka, next to Tui Brewery, the 2014 game at Memorial Park in Masterton and this year's game at Eketahuna.

"Tui has always championed bringing the big game of Super Rugby back to provincial New Zealand and we are stoked that Eketahuna can host it again in 2016 following the amazing success of this year's event which was a sell-out and involved the entire community," Rogers said.

-Tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game go on sale on today, and are available through PGG Wrightson Stores and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for general admission and $130pp for corporate tickets. Also available on www.tui.co.nz