Kiwis take on Rhinos in historic clash

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, April 6, 2015

MEDIA RELEASE - Kiwis take on Rhinos in historic clash

NZ Kiwis have confirmed a warm-up game for their three-test series against England in November, locking in Leeds Rhinos in an historic clash at Headingley Carnegie on Friday, October 23.

The clash will be the first time that a Super League club has played a touring side since 2002, while Leeds have not faced overseas visitors since their 1994 clash with Australia.

Tickets for this unique clash will start from just £20 for adult members and £10 for junior members.

The encounter will mark the 125th anniversary of Headingley Stadium, celebrating the ground’s first ever rugby game back on September 20, 1890. Fittingly, the link with New Zealand goes back to those early days of the stadium and the famous All Golds touring side that arrived in England in 1907.

The match will be 108 years, almost to the day, since Leeds met the All Golds met at Headingley for the first time on October 26, 1907. Headingley also hosted rugby league’s first ever test three months later, with the Northern Union winning 14-6.

In 11 previous contests, the NZ national side has only lost to Leeds once (1972). They last played in 1992, but more recently the Kiwis attracted huge crowds for their 2013 World Cup wins over Papua New Guinea and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie.

“To have been granted a game against the current Four Nations champions is a huge honour and a privilege for Leeds Rhinos,” says Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington. “Ourselves and the Kiwis have a long shared history, and this will be the chance to write a new chapter.

“Our links with New Zealand include the many great players who have played for us down the years, like Bert Cooke, Dean Bell and Ali Lauitiiti. This will be fitting way to bring down the curtain on the 2015 season and a special occasion to be at Headingley, just like our recent World Club Challenge clashes with Melbourne and Manly.

“The current group of players have achieved so much together, however this would be a first even for them and it will be a special night.

Tickets will go on general sale at 9am on Tuesday, April 7, either over the phone (0871 423 1315), online (www.therhinos.co.uk) or from the Leeds Rugby Store at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

NZ Kiwis v Leeds Rhinos
Headingley Carnegie, Leeds
8pm, October 23

NZ Rugby league would like to thank partners Pirtek, BLK and Revera for their support of the NZ Kiwis programme.

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