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One year to go to New Zealand Lions Series 2017
One year to go to New Zealand Lions Series 2017
With one year to go plans are on track to challenge the British & Irish Lions and welcome their legions of fans in 2017.
Today Whangarei officials and Mayor Sheryl Mai attended the one-year-to-go celebrations at Eden Park where the All Blacks will take on the Lions in the first Test next year.
Whangarei will host the first game of the tournament, between the Barbarians and British & Irish Lions.
"This is Whangarei’s chance to show the world how well we do international sports’ events," said Mayor Mai.
"We’ve got the stadium, the spirit and the structures, and one year to bring them all together in a fabulous and memorable opening match of the tour. Whangarei: they’ll love it here!”
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said the New Zealand Lions Series 2017 was shaping up to be the biggest international event the country would host for some time when it gets underway in Whangarei on 3 June 2017.
He confirmed the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians would provide the opposition for the opening match. The team will feature players selected from the Mitre 10 Cup and Mitre 10 Heartland Championship who were not eligible to play for an Investec Super Rugby team.
“We expect to name an experienced coach early next year who will work hard to get the very best out of the players selected,” said Tew.
He said the one year to go milestone was a special moment for the series and the ceremony, promotional video and website (www.nzlionsseries17.
com) aimed to build excitement among New Zealand fans in advance of tickets going on sale later this year.
“For six weeks next year, the focus of the rugby world will be again on New Zealand with an estimated 20,000 travelling fans joining tens of thousands of Kiwis for the 10 match series, and millions more following from around the world.”
“The New Zealand Lions Series is expected to be the most attended event since Rugby World Cup 2011. We all remember how special Rugby World Cup was and many fans have fond memories of the 2005 Lions Series so we’re hoping Kiwis make the most of this unique opportunity to see the Lions in action.”
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