MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Young Gun Looking Forward To Grass Roots Rugby At Mangatainoka

Callum Gibbins is a mix of excitement and nervousness in the buildup to next year’s Super Rugby pre-season game at Mangatainoka.

The 24 year old was named in the Hurricanes wider training squad alongside Richard Buckman, Mike Coman, Ash Dixon and Ope Peleseuma and is hopeful he will get some game time when the Hurricanes take on defending champions Chiefs at the Mangatainoka Rugby Grounds, next to Tui Brewery, on Saturday, February 16.

“I’ve always looked forward to playing for the Hurricanes and have now been given this great opportunity and I am really excited,” says the 6ft 1 flanker. “I’ve never played at Mangatainoka before but have heard the atmosphere is really cool due to the grass roots style of rugby and the crowd being close to the field.”

Gibbins cut his rugby teeth on the fields of Taranaki, before making an immediate impact for the Varsity Senior A side when he moved to Palmerston North in 2007 to study for a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at Massey University. After climbing the ranks and playing for Manawatu A, he made his debut for Manawatu Turbos against Wellington at the Westpac Stadium in 2009 – a milestone he still remembers fondly.

“I’ll always remember my first game against Wellington. I came on with 10 minutes to go at the Cake Tin and was very nervous and very excited at the same time. I was thrilled to get a few solid runs in,” he says.

Gibbins outstanding positional play in the line-out and on the field, ability to carry the ball and make big tackles caught the eyes of Hurricanes selectors earlier this year and now he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his Hurricanes heroes before him – Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga and Karl Lowe. He is also looking forward to working under the guidance of Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett.

“I’m excited about playing under Mark and playing alongside the current players – I know I will learn a lot from everyone and want to contribute a lot to the team.”

Assuming Gibbins gets game time at Mangatinoka, he will face some of his former Manawatu teammates in Aaron Cruden, Mike Fitzgerald and Nick Crosswell who will don the Chiefs jersey in 2013 as well his cousin Rhys Marshall. He is also expecting a big turnout from his friends and family at Mangatainoka.

Tui Brewery announced they had secured two of Super Rugby’s most passionate franchises for February’s game in November. The news followed the success of three previous sold out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise – including the 2011 game against the Chiefs that saw the home team clinch a 35-31 victory.

Tui Brewery commercial manager Nick Rogers, who has championed all the games to date, says Hurricanes and Chiefs clashes throughout the history of Super Rugby have been closely contested and this game promises to be no different.

“Having two of Super Rugby’s most passionate franchises return to the Mangatainoka RFC – which happens to be right next to Tui Brewery - will provide the fans with a memorable game of footie and an opportunity to experience a game that emphasizes the theatre of going to see rugby,” he says.

Like previous games at Mangatainoka, February’s game is expected to go down in grass roots rugby folklore. It will again be played on Neil Symonds' farm, which is currently a bare paddock, 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.

• Timeline for February 16th, 2013
12.30pm Gates Open
1.00pm Tui Invitation XV Vs Mangatainoka RFC Invitation XV
3.00pm Hurricanes Vs Chiefs
5.00pm Close For GA
5.45pm After-Match Speeches And Band (At Mangatainoka Tent Village For VIP's)
6.45pm Mangatainoka Tent Village Closes For VIP's

• Tickets are available from Tui HQ, PGG Wrightson stores in the lower North Island, the Palmerston North i-SITE or via www.tui.co.nz
Price: VIP/Corporate Tickets $125 General Admission $45
• Transport: Tranzit Tours are providing buses to the game. Visit www.tranzittours.co.nz or 0800 471 227

ENDS