Rugby match will recall bygone era

Today's Hurricanes versus Crusaders rugby match at Mangatainoka is expected to be a cracker.

It will be an early, tough test for the Hurricanes, a chance for them to help erase the memories of last year's horror season.

The venue is a throwback to rugby's earlier, non-professional days - a Neil Symonds' paddock, transformed into a full-size rugby playing field with a crowd capacity of 8000 people.

There will be music at half time as well as plenty of displays, including a show by the Air Force.

The Hurricanes team will include stars including All Blacks Cory Jane and Victor Vito, along with fan favourites like Dane Coles and Jason Eaton.

Gates open at 12.30 and, at 1pm, proceedings will be kicked off by a Tui Invitation XV playing a Mangatainoka RFC Invitation XV - both teams packed full of ITM Cup players and former All Blacks including Greg Somerville and Rua Tipoki.

Tui Commercial Manager Nick Rogers said the match is more like a festival, than just a game of rugby.

"I love this time of year - it's like the calm before the storm.

Excited as he was about the game, Rogers remained tight-lipped about who he thought would take out the main match.

"It'll be close," he said.