Hurricanes preparing for pre-season Eketahuna match

Mother Nature has played a key role in helping the Eketahuna Rugby Club ground remain in good condition ahead of next month’s Super Rugby pre-season game between the Hurricanes and Blues.

The club’s President Dennis “Doc” Dougherty, says rain that feel last week has kept the ground moist and with more rain predicted later today, he’s confident it will ensure the pitch is in top notch condition for the Super Rugby clash on Saturday, 13th February 2016.

“Although we have irrigation in place, up until now we’ve relied on Mother Nature, who has kindly delivered on her own,” says Doc. “Rain fell heavily last Friday and then again over the weekend, so if it continues like this for the next few weeks we will be pleased.”

Since announcing the game last November, Doc says the Eketahuna community has come together with offers of support to ensure players and visitors to the small Tararua Township are treated to genuine rural hospitality and that here is enough seating to accommodate all 4000 ticket holders, including corporate ticket holders. He says this community spirit follows on from the success of last year’s sold out game between the Crusaders and Hurricanes held on the same ground and organised by the team at Tui Brewery.

“The genuine community spirit seen during last year’s sold out game was reignited when the Hurricanes finished their 2015 Super Rugby campaign strongly and when the All Blacks defended their Rugby World Cup title,” says Doc. “We’ve had support from people offering up their dams to help irrigate the pitch to those wanting to spray for weeds and tidy up the around the clubrooms – it’s just great!”

Hurricanes Match and Event Manager Sam Kershaw inspected the grounds last week and says they look fantastic.

“Some people may not have been too happy about the rain over their summer break, but it’s definitely been good news for us. Everyone at the Hurricanes – players, coaches and staff – are looking forward to the pre-season game,” she says.

Hurricanes new chief executive officer Avan Lee says despite losing some key players off-shore post 2015, the 2016 Hurricanes squad is another strong combination of experience and youth. Players to watch out for include new captain Dane Coles; 2015 Rugby World Cup stand out Nehe Milner Skudder; the powerful Vaea Fifita; 2015 NZ U-20 half back Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Warriors convert Ngani Laumape.

“The pre-season is hugely important for the players to form combinations and get up to speed before the season begins proper. In terms of individuals, the players want to show the coaches they deserve a starting spot for Super Rugby,” says Lee.

“The players really enjoy this match, largely because it appeals to the fans and because the chance to play at a club like Eketahuna is such a novelty compared to normal games. All of our players started the game in clubs just like Eke so it's great for the Hurricanes to give something back to the community game.”

Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, says February’s game will continue a grand tradition of bringing the big game to the small town. Mr 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 played at Memorial Park in Masterton and last year’s game at Eketahuna.

“Tui has always championed bringing the big game of Super Rugby back to provincial New Zealand and we are now on the countdown until Eketahuna hosts it again in February,” says Mr Rogers. “I think judging by the amazing success of last year’s event which involved the entire community, this year will be equally successful.”

Tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game are available through PGG Wrightson Stores and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for GA and $130pp for Corporate Tickets. Tickets also available online at www.tui.co.nz Kick-off is at 3pm.