Curtain Raiser Predicted to Be a Beauty

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, February 12 2013

Curtain Raiser Predicted to Be a Beauty

A who’s who of former top level players will take to the field in this Saturday’s curtain raiser at the sold out pre-season game between the Hurricanes and Chiefs at Mangatainoka.

The DB invitational team features Taranaki veteran and former Hurricanes player Kevin Barrett; former All Black and New Zealand Sevens player Rico Gear; former New Zealand Maori and Super 12 player Rua Tipoki; and East Coast and New Zealand Maori representative Mutu Ngarimu. The team also features Steve Walters, General Manager for the Hertz Wellington Sevens Tournament and Thomas Ben, commercial manager for the Wellington Phoenix

Team manager Hamish Clentworth says his team is looking forward to taking to the pitch at the Mangatainoka RFC, next to Tui Brewery on Saturday. He is predicting a competitive outing for the team when they take on the invitational PGG Wrightsons team at 1pm.

The curtain raiser is part of the pre-match entertainment before the big game between the Hurricanes and defending Super Rugby champions Chiefs kicks off at 3pm. Tui Brewery commercial manager Nick Rogers, who has championed the grass roots rugby match for four years in a row, is thrilled the game has sold out again.

“For the fourth year in a row the game has sold out, the cupboard is bare. Anyone wanting tickets will now need to go www.trademe.co.nz,” he says.

In true No 8 wire style, Tui Brewery is bringing the big game to the small town for the fourth year in a row after securing two of Super Rugby’s most passionate franchises. Like previous preseason games at Mangatainoka, the February 16th game is expected to go down in grass roots rugby folklore. It will again be played on Neil Symonds' farm and see the community rally together to host a predicted 8,000 visitors. There will be enough temporary seating to accommodate all ticket-holders; pre and post-game entertainment as well as an array of guest speakers while passionate fans are expected to turn out in their regional colours.

Tui has teamed up with key match day supporters to make the day possible including: Cable Price, HireQuip, MoreFM, PGG Wrightsons, Norwood Farm Machinery, Sharpes Stockfeeds, PrintCraft and Wairarapa News.

The Wrightson Invitation XV:
1 Ben Diamond
2 Maurice Stewart
3 Hamish Black
4 Ryan Dowling
5 Nick Ward
6 Dave Lilley
7 Mathew Towers
8 William Hurst
9 Bryce Morgan
10 Callum McCrostie
11 Carl Gunson
12 Harry Stanway
13 Abe Pomare
14 Quinton Smith
15 Kane Adams
Res
16 Ben Martin (Prop)
17 Charlie Taituha (Hooker)
18 Campbell Harding (loose forward)
19 Ryan Shaw (loose forward)
20 Sam Miller (Back)
21 Warren Johnson (Lock)
22 Elliot Nicholson (Back)

The DB Invitation XV:
1 Pete Cleaver
2 Joe Harwood
3 Nico Fabrello
4 Zac Haumaha
5 Kevin Barrett
6 Grant Caunter
7 Jarrod Bear
8 Mutu Ngarimu
9 Pere Rodgers
10 Campbell Woodmass
11 Hamish Clentworth
12 Rua Tipoki
13 Rico Gear
14 Liam Sullivan
15 Peter Grills
16 Jamie Hunt (Forward)
17 James Bruce (9/10)
18 Paul Cleaver (Loose Forward)
19 Steve Walters (Back)
20 Ian Breedon (Midfield Back)
21 Thomas Ben (Loose Forward)

ENDS

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