Paddock Transformation Underway At Mangatainoka RFC

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Paddock Transformation Underway At Mangatainoka RFC

For the fourth year in a row, a rugby mad Mangatainoka farmer has agreed to transform one of his back paddocks into a top-notch field ahead of next month’s Super Rugby pre-season game between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.

Neil Symonds, or Skin as he is widely known as, owns the farm on which the Mangatainoka Rugby Football Club grounds are located. The avid Hurricanes fan has spent the last few weeks preparing the ground ahead of game, which is organized by Tui Brewery, to be held on Saturday, February 16. Symonds’ decision to be involved follows the success of three previous sold out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise.

“I’m really looking forward to the fact that when people turn up and walk down my driveway they have this amazing smile on their face, almost like they can’t believe what they are seeing,” says Symonds. “It just gets me every time.”

Following November’s announcement about the game, Symonds has been busy working hard ensuring the pitch is in top order for the players. He started mowing in early December, has twice rolled the pitch with a seven ton roller and recently started irrigating following a hot and dry summer.

“The ground is in good order. There’s solid grass coverage on it and it will be easy underneath for the players,” he says. “I removed the sheep before the New Year, mowed it again last Thursday and have recently started to irrigate, putting around 80,000 litres on it to ensure it is in the best possible condition come February 16.”

In addition to ground preparations, scaffolding is currently being erected to create a temporary grandstand. Event manager Rosie Broughton says the grandstand will feature a different configuration to previous years making it more user friendly for the fans.

“We’ve created a new layout so corporate ticket holders will now sit on the western side of the paddock near the historic Mangatainoka RFC grandstand while general admission ticket holders will be seated on the eastern side of the paddock.”

In true No 8 wire style, Tui Brewery is bringing the big game to the small town for the fourth year in a row after securing two of Super Rugby’s most passionate franchises. Like previous preseason games at Mangatainoka, the February 16th game is expected to go down in grass roots rugby folklore. It will again be played on Neil Symonds' farm 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. Tickets are still available.

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 $55

• Transport: Tranzit Tours are providing buses to the game. Visit www.tranzittours.co.nz or 0800 471 227

ENDS

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