Whitelock Brothers Return To Old Stomping Ground

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Whitelock Brothers Return To Old Stomping Ground

It’s fair to say Luke Whitelock will have almost come full circle when the Crusaders take on the Hurricanes in a Super Rugby pre-season game at the Mangatainoka Rugby Grounds, next to Tui Brewery, next month.

The 1.90m loose forward and youngest of the four Whitelock brothers named in this season’s Crusaders Super Rugby team says he is looking forward to returning to the very region in which his rugby career began.

“I grew up on a dairy farm about 30 minutes from Mangatainoka, so I know the area well,” says the 20-year-old. “I think it will be great coming back and playing there. It will also be a great opportunity to take Super Rugby back to grassroots. I’ve heard the last two games at Mangatainoka have been a real success and I am looking forward to being part of it this time around.”

Like his three older siblings - George, Adam and Sam - Luke was born and raised in Manawatu and attended Fielding Area High School. After creating a buzz on the local rugby fields, he headed south to study Commerce at Canterbury University and further his rugby career. After making his debut for Canterbury in 2011 against Wellington, Luke went on to make two appearances during the team’s campaign and last year captained the New Zealand team to victory at the Junior World Cup in Italy.

Now with the 2012 Super Rugby season just around the corner, Luke is eager to make his debut for the Crusaders. As such he is focused on building his fitness base under the guidance of trainer Carl Jennings and gaining as much valuable advice as he can from coaching staff, management and more senior players.

“The opportunity to play for the Crusaders is huge and being in the squad is just great. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of getting some game time and making an impact at either blindside flanker or No 8, but competition for my position is pretty fierce so it will be a big challenge,” he admits.

Depending on the selections of Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, there maybe an opportunity for Luke to take to the field with his three brothers at the same time – a feat which has only happened on one other occasion in 2003 when the Hostel played the Day Boys at Fielding Area High School.

February’s game will have another twist for several Crusaders players also returning to familiar territory. Midfielder Robert Fruean has previously played for the Hurricanes, while full back Israel Dagg burst onto the national scene playing for Hawke’s Bay.

Like previous pre-season games at Mangatainoka, the February 11th 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 scaffolding to accommodate all ticket-holders; pre and post game entertainment as well as an array of guestspeakers. Less than 1000 tickets are still available for the game.

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 is also offering 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 still 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

© Scoop Media