Tui Brings Super Rugby Back To Mangatainoka

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Tui Brings Super Rugby Back To Mangatainoka

The euphoria felt by New Zealanders when the All Black’s won the Rugby World Cup is set to continue next year after it was announced Tui Brewery will bring another pre-season Super Rugby game to the Mangatainoka Rugby Grounds.

In true No 8 wire style, Tui Brewery will bring the big game to the small town for the third year in a row after securing the Hurricanes and the Crusaders in a pre-season game on Saturday, February 11th 2012.

The game follows the success of two previous pre-season games involving the Hurricanes which sold out two weeks before kick off and attracted around 8,000 spectators each year. Held on Neil Symonds’ farm next to Tui Brewery, the games showcased grassroots rugby at its best with passionate fans adorned in their regional colours and visibly enjoying the unique setting. It also received the highest praise from some of New Zealand’s rugby greats including Sir Brian Lochore, Sir Colin Meads and commentator Keith Quinn.

Tui Brewery commercial manager Nick Rogers, who has championed all three games, says he is determined to ensure New Zealanders maintain that “amazing sense of euphoria” following the All Black’s win of the Web Ellis Cup.

“Eden Park had its fan trail, a sell out crowd and a fantastic atmosphere – well come February the tiny township of Mangatainoka will be no different,” says Mr Rogers.

“The last two pre-season games held here have emphasized the theatre of going to see rugby and having the Crusaders and the Hurricanes – two of Super Rugby’s most passionate franchises – will only help build on the feeling the Rugby World Cup gave us. That feeling of pride in supporting your team, that amazing sense of euphoria experienced when they win and the sense of occasion it brings.”

Crusaders head coach and former All Blacks Captain Todd Blackadder is already looking forward to the pre-season game.

“It’s going to be a fantastic contest going up against the Hurricanes and a great opportunity for our new look side to have a solid hit out and trial some new combinations,” says Blackadder.
“But I am most excited about taking the game to the people. I heard the last two pre-season games held at Mangatainoka were sold out before kick-off and that just proves to me how important it is to take top level players back to the heartland.”

Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst, who scored one of his team’s tries against the Chiefs this year, can’t wait to hit the ground running.
“We loved going to Mangatainoka last year. The fans were awesome and the try I scored even made it into a Tui ad. I can’t wait to head back and play the Crusaders there next year,” he says.
Like previous games, February’s game is expected to go down in grass roots rugby folklore. It will 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 guestspeakers.

Tui has teamed up with key match day supporters to make the day possible including: PGG Wrightsons, Norwood Farm Machinery, Sharpes Stockfeeds, Hirequip, K+M Print, MoreFM, and Altum. Tui will offer transport deals to and from the game thanks to their strong relationship with Tranzit Coaches and Nimons HB.

• Timeline for February 11th, 2012
12.30pm Gates Open
1.00pm Tui Invitation XV vs Mangatainoka RFC Invitation XV
3.00pm Hurricanes vs Crusaders
5.00pm Close for GA
5.45pm After-match speeches and VIP entertainment
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: Corporate Tickets $125 General Admission $45

• Transport: Tranzit and Nimons HB are providing buses from Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Wanganui. www.tranzit.co.nz or www.nimons.co.nz

ENDS

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