Fans tackle Steamers on PlayStation at Home Show

GAMERS: Bay of Plenty Steamers hooker Joe Royal with 8-year-old Connor Aitu playing a game of rugby on PlayStation. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 110714BF15

It's not every day Rotorua locals have the chance to go up against the Bay of Plenty Steamers in a friendly game of rugby.

Youngsters at the Rotorua Daily Post Home and Leisure show were challenged by their local sporting idols to a virtual PlayStation game of rugby.

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The show opened yesterday and about 6000 visitors went through the doors - the biggest Friday since the show's inception seven years ago.

At the Cobb & Co stall, Bay of Plenty Steamers players were handing out cobb crunchies and challenging children to PlayStation battles. Connor Aitu, 8, took up the controller against Steamers hooker Joe Royal and said it was a lot of fun.

"I'm a big fan of rugby so I think I can beat him," Connor said.

He felt starstruck when he met the rugby players because they were his local idols.

Cobb Group chief executive Chris Churchward said the restaurant franchise was the biggest sponsor of the Steamers.

"It's great to see the team members getting involved with the local kids and drawing in big crowds.

"All the team members here today are local Rotorua boys so they connect well with the people they meet and are getting a lot of positive feedback from people walking past."

Photograph by Ben Fraser

Cobb Group and the Bay of Plenty Steamers had a competition running to give away a $200 Cobb & Co voucher and a Steamers jersey.

The Rotorua Daily Post Home and Leisure Show is open at the Energy Events Centre today and tomorrow, from 10am to 5pm today and 10am to 4pm tomorrow.

Adult entry is $5 and under-12s are free.