Page 5 - MAB v The Lions

WELCOME
WELCOME
MESSAGES
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY
ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO
introduce this momentous rugby event with the Black Ferns taking on England followed by the the h h h h h h match of the the DHL NZ Lions Series which sees the the Maori All Blacks hosting the the British & Irish Lions I I would like to to o o o o o er er a a a a a a a a warm welcome to to all the players coaches and management match o o o o o o cials and and supporters in Rotorua and and around the world We have all been looking forward to this occasion for for a a a a a long time The Black Ferns are playing their nal nal International Women’s Rugby Series Test before their focus turns to the the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland this August Then we will witness the the Maori All Blacks and the the Lions meeting for the the ninth time since their rst encounter in in in in 1930 In 2005 the the the Maori All Blacks match was one of of the the the highlights of of the the the Series as the the host side claimed their rst win and expectations are high for tonight’s encounter At each match in the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017 so far the teams have been playing for a a a a a a a a a a unique match trophy: a a a a a a a a a a taiaha with ties to to the the the region Tonight the the the teams will be striving to to lay their hands on on on Te Roto named for the many lakes found throughout this district We appreciate the support of our sponsors and and partners and and would also like to to extend a a a a a a special welcome to to our friends from adidas Principal Partner of of New New Zealand Zealand Rugby DHL DHL sponsor of of the DHL DHL New New Zealand Zealand Lions Series 2017 AIG Major Global Sponsor of the Maori All Blacks and the the Black Ferns and and all our other sponsors and and partners The community has has embraced all the the teams and there has has been warm hospitality provided Thank you to to the Rotorua Lakes Council Rotorua International Stadium and Bay of Plenty Rugby for the fantastic contribution that your people have put in to to ensure today’s games go well We would particularly like to thank the fantastic volunteers who have put in in the the hours behind the the scenes Our best wishes go to to the the teams and to to the the match o o o o o cials whose contribution to to the game is signi cant and valued Finally to to all all rugby supporters whether you’re at at the the ground or or watching from afar we appreciate you getting behind the the the games the the the teams and the the the o o cials I hope you all enjoy the rugby Maurice Trapp
New Zealand Rugby President
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 5