Page 36 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

Captain and and New Zealand Rugby Chairman Jock Hobbs said in in in 2005 “For all the enormous changes in in in in rugby some things are are of of enduring value and Lions tours are are one of of them ”
Since a a a a a combined side rst came to to New Zealand in in in 1888 (see the the the piece on on on the the the pioneers on on page 38) there have been 12 tours and and more than 200 matches played in New Zealand For all the the the the competition on on on the the the the eld the the the the Lions and and their supporters are always popular visitors often traversing the the the the length and and breadth of of the the the country on their visit visit And 2017 is is a a a a a a a a special year for
New Zealand Rugby that saw the 125th anniversary of its founding in in mid-April In addition World War I I milestones – including the the centenary of of the the death of of Originals Captain David Gallaher – continue to provide reminders of rugby’s long-standing association with New New Zealanders and and and and and in in particular the the ties between New New Zealand Zealand and and and and the the countries making up the Lions THE RUGBY FESTIVAL
It’s not all about what is happening on the the eld The New Zealand Government is is rolling out the the the welcome mat for
visitors and taking the the chance to to inspire locals with a a a a a a a a series of nationwide events Fanzones in in each city will
enable people not attending the the matches to soak up the the the atmosphere make friends and enjoy the the rugby One series of events that’s worth mentioning is the the “Legends @ the the Local” series planned in in several host cities where visitors can rub shoulders with rugby rugby and sporting legends at their local rugby rugby club for
an an an afternoon or or or or or evening of yarns and camaraderie For more on on the the Rugby Festival events check out the Guide from pages 92 onwards where we outline what’s happening in in in and around each host city New Zealand has a a a a a a a strong reputation for
food and and and beverage including wine dairy and and agricultural products More recently a a a a a a a a a a growing reputation for
manufacturing digital and and technology products products and and services has emerged along with specialist products products such as as craft beer sports technology and performance innovations With events like the agricultural Fieldays craft beer festivals and demonstrations of sports technology there will
be opportunities up and and down the the country to experience New Zealand’s business innovation too Whichever way you look at at it 2017 is going to deliver a a a a a a festival of of rugby both on on and off the the the the pitch Whether you’re a a a a a a fan of of the the the the All Blacks or the the the the Lions it’s going to to be be a a a a year to to remember Peter Rowe runs out onto Cooks Gardens – look for
him at Toll Stadium in June
THE PROVINCIAL WARRIOR
IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO
take something special to bring Peter Rowe out of retirement – like playing for
the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians against the Lions in Whangarei to open the tour for
example The 35-year-old stalwart
of the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship Wanganui centurion and captain two-time Heartland player of the year and and Heartland XV rep and and skipper Rowe had hung up the boots until a a a February conversation with New Zealand Rugby High Performance Talent Identi cation Manager Matt Sexton Rowe is the sole Mitre 10 Heartland Championship player in the Barbarians squad and he’s more than happy to again be ying the the ag ag for
the the non-professional players in the game He farms in north Wanganui and got stuck into the the start of the the club season again with Ruapehu upon hearing the news He has played a lot of rugby through his long career but 3 June
will
be the biggest occasion and crowd “It’s pretty special and something I never thought would be a possibility for
me There was an opportunity so I thought I couldn’t pass it up ”
Rowe says He well recalls the hype around the 1993 and 2005 Lions tours “A er 2005 they’ll be looking for
a di erent result but it’ll be a a massive challenge for
all all teams
playing them The Lions have a a a passionate bunch of supporters and on recent form they’ll be a very good side won’t they? Hopefully we can bring it and give them a a good game ”
AUCKLAND 9 LIONS 32
1950 TOUR CONTINUED WAIKATO THAMES VALLEY & KING COUNTRY 0 0 LIONS 30
NORTH AUCKLAND 6 LIONS 8 36 // DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 PREVIEW
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