John Banks speech notes: Blues Success

Celebrating the Blues Super 12 rugby success at a lunchtime civic reception in Aotea Square.

What a huge victory at Eden Park on Saturday night!

Today the City of Auckland salutes Blues captain Xavier Rush and his team for a superb Super 12 season.

The six-year dominance of the mighty Crusaders has been sunk. The strength of New Zealand rugby is again centered around everything good about New Zealand - Auckland.

The support and loyalty shown over the years from the many Blues fans has now delivered big rewards.

Auckland, North Harbour and Northland are the titleholders of the heavily contested southern hemisphere battle - the Super 12.

Auckland is again on the map and we are very happy and very proud.

Auckland City believes in putting success on a pedestal. Today we put success on a pedestal.

We acknowledge the hard work and success of the Blues. Today we say thank you for bringing home the silverware.

You have shown us all what can be achieved when discipline, focus and determination are applied in huge and equal doses.

We are grateful to all those people who have committed so much: the team and their families, management, coaches, sponsors, and of course the true believers.

Good luck as you go forward to the NPC and for some, all the best as you put on the black jersey with the mighty silver fern and focus on bringing home the Rugby World Cup!

Again well done. Congratulations.

Three cheers for the Auckland Blues.

It now gives me great pleasure to introduce our victorious captain Xavier Rush.

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