A Tribute To The Needle

A Tribute To The Needle

A NIGHT WITH THE NEEDLE, is the tribute and testimonial dinner for Fred Allen, the SPCA and The Salvation Army. The dinner, honouring one of New Zealand’s greatest rugby icons and oldest living All Black Captain, will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 23rd March 2004 at Eden Park’s ASB Lounge, Auckland.

The evening, proudly presented by Tanalised, will celebrate Fred Allen’s distinguished career as a rugby player, All Black Captain and as a legendary All Black coach, whose record of 100% test wins remains unbeaten.

Sir Wilson Whineray and Sir Brian Lochore will be Masters of Ceremony, with Mike King providing entertainment. An impressive contingent of All Black greats will attend including: Andy Dalton, Tony Davies, Sid Going, Andy Haden, Arthur Hughes, Jock Hobbs, Ian Kirkpatrick, Andy Leslie, Fergie McCormack, Don McKay, Colin Meads, Stan Meads, Waka Nathan, Bob Scott, Kevin Skinner, Tony Steel, Sam Strahan, Grahame Thorne, Graham Williams and Pat Walsh. Other special guests include former Prime Ministers The Rt Hon Jim Bolger and The Rt Hon Jenny Shipley, together with Hon John Banks QSO, Mayor of Auckland City, Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Murray Halberg, Jeremy Coney, Miriama Smith, Allison Roe, John Morrison, Jude Dobson and Lana Co-Croft.

Fred, the Needle’s unbeaten run through the late 1960’s established a record which has never been matched by any other All Black coach before or since. Fred Allen had that rare ability only the best coaches possess of being able to mould disparate individuals into a collective force. Allen acquired a reputation as a motivator – a skill which earnt him the nickname ‘Needle’.

Tickets to this black tie special event are available for $200 per person or $2000 for a table for 10 by contacting Toni Durant on (09) 376 9247.

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