30 June 2005

MP confident of own Lions victory

As the country gears up for the second All Black – Lions match on Saturday night, West Coast-Tasman MP and flanker Damien O'Connor is warming up for his own Lions clash.

Mr O'Connor co-captains the New Zealand Parliamentary Rugby Team, which will play a one-off game against the British and Irish Parliamentary Lions on Saturday at the Police College in Porirua, North of Wellington.

"I think it's going to be a great game," Mr O'Connor said.

Asked if he was concerned his team had had only one training session since the beginning of the season, Mr O'Connor remained optimistic. "I'm confident that come Saturday, we'll be in top form. We've got some good players and in the right conditions, we can be very formidable."

The team's last match was against the New Zealand Police last week. "A narrow loss," conceded Mr O'Connor, "but a good warm-up."

Mr O'Connor will be joined on the field on Saturday by co-captain Murray McCully, Labour colleague John Tamihere, several other MPs, players from Parliamentary Services and guest players including Press Gallery political reporter Stephen Parker.

Mr McCully has in the past described the team as "probably the only genuine non-partisan grouping of its kind within Parliament".

Mr O'Connor agreed. "It's a good chance to put politics aside and play on the same side as those who're usually after your blood!"

Kick off's at 1pm.

New Zealand Parliamentary Rugby Team Saturday July 2

Damien O’Connor Murray McCully John Tamihere John Carter Ron Mark Brian Connell Edwin Perry Pita Paraone John Luxton Sean Rota Afa Antonio Richard Ninness Stephen Parker Andrew Hunter Cam Wallace John Cribb Fred Laury Moss Noanoa Kelvin Lange Scott Devine Craig Walker Robb Noble Shane Rosson

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Duncan Garner TBC injured Sam Samuelu TBC injured Chris Laidlaw TBC

ENDS

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