Touch Blacks on Way to World Cup

Date: 9 January 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Touch Blacks on Way to World Cup

Four teams representing New Zealand depart this afternoon (Tuesday 9 January 2007) for the 2007 Touch World Cup in South Africa.

The Touch Blacks – consisting of three elite squads and a Mixed 30’s masters squad – will compete at the Touch World Cup in Stellenbosch from January 17-21.

Touch NZ Chief Executive, Dale Stephens, said New Zealand had competed at all five previous Touch World Cups, and was currently ranked second in the world behind Australia.

This year’s tournament will feature about 40 teams from countries also including Australia, USA, Cook Islands, South Africa (hosts), Cook Islands, England, Scotland, and Singapore.

Prior to the World Cup, Touch New Zealand will present its bid in Stellenbosch on January 15 to host the 2011 Touch World Cup. Mr Stephens said that with the Rugby World Cup being held in New Zealand in 2011, the chance of hosting the Touch World Cup on the North Shore earlier in the year would make it a huge year for New Zealand sport.

Touch is New Zealand’s largest team sport, with 317,000 people participating last year.

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The following are the three Touch Black and the Mixed 30’s Teams to represent New Zealand at the 7th Touch World Cup in South Africa on January 17-21:

Touch Black Men’s Open:

Brian Adams, Counties Manakau

Whitiaua Black, Manawatu

Ed Burrell, Canterbury

Eli Doornenbal, Canterbury

Thomas Greensill, Waikato

Dave Hekatoa, Auckland

Lani Kaiwai, Manawatu

Arepa Ohia, Waikato

Nazea Silbery, Canterbury

Leon Skinner, Canterbury

Troy Skinner, Canterbury

Brendon Stewart, Canterbury

Maurice Stone, Hawkes Bay

Chris Wall, Waikato

Coach: John Rangihuna, Canterbury

Asst Coach: Peter McIntyre, Auckland

Manager: Allie Wright, Auckland

Physio: Dave Kearns, Canterbury

Touch Black Women’s Open:

Hannah Brand, Canterbury

Emily Close, Canterbury

Julie Ferguson, Hawkes Bay

Leana Hoani, Canterbury

Carla Hohepa, Waikato

Anita Kerrigan, Canterbury

Frankie Mortimer, Canterbury

Shay–Marie Pidduck, Wellington

Pua Phillips, Waikato

Kylie Shankland, Canterbury

Rachel Stephenson, Canterbury

Kristina Sue, Wellington

Jean Waaka, Counties Manakau

Renee Wickliffe, Counties Manakau

Coach: Cally Hoani, Canterbury

Asst Coach: Setu Naseri, Canterbury

Manager: Darlene Te Karu

Physio: Elly Tobias, Waikato

Touch Black Mixed Open:

Sharlene Bannister, Bay of Plenty

Sean Brown, Taranaki

Trask Daymond, Taranaki

Conal Grant, Taranaki

Keisha Grant, Taranaki

Kim Hiroti, Taranaki

Richard Marsters, Counties Manakau

Donny Rihari Auckland

Wade Sharp, Bay of Plenty

Cecily Stainton, Bay of Plenty

Tersa Te Tamaki, Auckland

Pieter Vis, Wellington

Steve Wall, Bay of Plenty

Dean Williams, Counties Manakau

Coach: Rangi Hiroti, Taranaki

Asst Coach: Mike Daly, Bay of Plenty

Manager: Pam Hyde, Bay of Plenty

Physio: Greg Knight, Canterbury

Mixed 30’s:

Annette Almond, Bay of Plenty

Chris Campbell, Auckland

Micheal Edwards, Canterbury

Teresa Edwards, Bay of Plenty

Shane Foley, Canterbury

Mahu Leach, Horowhenua

Sarah Mawhinney, Auckland

Karen Miles, Canterbury

Mel Peina, Wellington

Fletcher Prendergast, North Harbour

Clint Rohloff, Wellington

Hinei Taute, Bay of Plenty

Peter Walters, Auckland

Eugene Wepa, Bay of Plenty

Coach: Steve Campbell, Canterbury

Asst Coach: Steve Toki, Canterbury

Manager: Kara Henshaw, Canterbury

ENDS

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