Waverley in the rugby limelight

PRISTINE: The Waverley rugby fraternity have Dallison Park looking like a bowling green ahead of tomorrow evening's pre-season match-up between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders.PHOTO/Gillian Lennox

The Waverley community has put the final polish on the township's rugby pitch ahead of tomorrow's Hurricane's pre-season clash with the Crusaders.

Waverley liaison with the Hurricanes, Guy Lennox, said the match between the two Super Rugby giants was a big thing for the town and the last few weeks the focus has been firmly on preparing Dallison Park for the big occasion.

"Our rugby pitch is usually a pretty good ground anyway, but the locals have all got together and pitched in," Lennox said.

"The ground is in mint condition. We have watered, aerated, fertilised and mown the grounds, brought in extra seating, some borrowed from Wanganui Collegiate School, and set out hay bales. The ground is looking very green, which is strange for this time of year.
It's usually brown and dry, but luckily we've had rain."

Lennox said while further up the road in Taranaki it was officially Chiefs country, strong support for the Hurricanes still remained. Taranaki had originally been a Hurricane's stronghold until the switch a few year back.

"We've got people coming from all over and I'd say there will be plenty of support for the Canes. After all, the Barrett boys are from Taranaki. It's going to be a top game with most of the All Blacks from each side available."

Lennox gave pause before tipping a winner of tomorrow night's match, but eventually swayed the Cane's way.

"It's pre-season, but there will be no love lost on the field and it could go either way. But I guess on current form and the line-up I'd have to go the Hurricanes," Lennox said.

Meanwhile, Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd was confident the franchise's fan base would play a big part in the outcome.

"I can assure our fans that when the players run out to a big, loud, yellow and black home crowd they get a massive lift. The Hurricanes have always had a passionate and loyal fan base and it has always been appreciated," Boyd said.

The Hurricanes will get their first chance to say thank you to their fans when they play in front of a capacity 4,500 fans at the Border Rugby Club in Waverley tomorrow.
Boyd said the team was looking forward to the Farmlands Grassroots Game Day, which was shaping as a unique event.

"It just shows how strong our support is throughout the Hurricanes region and to sell out a pre-season match is a great result," he said.

"Hopefully we can put on a great spectacle for all the people from Whanganui and South Taranaki on the day."

For fans who missed out on general admission tickets to the Crusaders match, the Hurricanes will be opening their captain's run at Cooks Garden in Whanganui to the public today.