Page 3 - All Blacks v Lions - First Test

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY
ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY, IT IS MY
pleasure to welcome you all to tonight’s game. This is
the rst Test match between the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions in the DHL NZ Lions Series, and this is a moment we have been looking forward to for 12 years.
Both teams come into this match ready to play. It was great to see the All Blacks get their 2017 campaign under way last week in the very special Pasi ka Challenge.
The Lions, meanwhile, have six intense Series matches behind them.
It is the 39th time these two teams have faced each other, and while the record favours the host side, every win is cherished because they are the ultimate contests. Since 1904, All Blacks v Lions matches have been highlights of the tours, and I am sure that tonight’s encounter will match up to those of the past.
We appreciate the support of our sponsors and partners and would also like to extend a special welcome to our friends from adidas, Principal Partner of New Zealand Rugby; DHL, sponsor of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017; AIG, Major Global Sponsor of the All Blacks; and all our other sponsors and partners.
The local community has embraced both teams and welcomed their supporters who have travelled to be here. Thank you to ATEED, the Auckland City Council, Auckland Rugby Union and Eden Park for the fantastic contribution your people have put in to ensure tonight’s match goes smoothly. We would particularly like to thank the fantastic volunteers who have put in the hours behind the scenes.
Our best wishes go to the teams, including your coaches and management, and to the match o cials, whose contribution to the game is signi cant and valued. Finally, to all rugby supporters, whether you’re at the ground or watching from afar, we appreciate you getting behind the game, the teams and the o cials. I hope you all enjoy the rugby.
Maurice Trapp
New Zealand Rugby President
ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN KIERAN READ
ON BEHALF OF THE ALL BLACKS,
we’re proud to be here representing
our team and our country as we prepare to face the British & Irish Lions.
To play for the All Blacks is massive and the Lions are a very special opponent. They come with a rich history and huge tradition. A lot of
All Blacks don’t get to play them at all in their careers, so we’re grateful for the opportunity and very excited by the challenge. The Lions are the best players in the UK and Ireland and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against them.
We’ve been assembled in Auckland for a couple of weeks now. We’ve had a lot of work to do to in preparing for the Lions, which included the fantastic Pasi ka Challenge match against Samoa. We’ve also enjoyed getting out and spending time with our fans.
I’d like to thank everyone involved in delivering the Test tonight; from the match o cials to the volunteers and everyone at Eden Park and Auckland Rugby: we couldn’t have a game without you.
I hope you all enjoy the match.
To our fans, thanks for being part of Team All Blacks. We love knowing you’re behind us so keep showing your support in the stands, online and around New Zealand and the world. Tutira Mai!
Cheers,
Kieran Read
All Blacks Captain
WELCOME
WELCOME MESSAGES
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 3