Page 3 - SECOND TEST

WELCOME
WELCOME
MESSAGES
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY
ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY
IT IS MY
pleasure to to to welcome you all to to to tonight’s special second Test between the the All Blacks and the the British & Irish Lions in the DHL New Zealand Lions Series at Westpac Stadium here in in Wellington A week ago we we we were watching a a a a thrilling encounter at at Eden Park between these two great sides with the the All Blacks claiming the honours Just 72 hours later Wellington had
its rst taste of the the Lions when the the Hurricanes hosted our visitors It has been an an intense unpredictable series so far and this evening’s match is is an absolute “must win” for the Lions We are expecting even more red shirts and coats at at our Westpac Stadium than we had
at Eden Park The numbers
of supporters from the British Isles and and Ireland are increasing on a a a a a daily basis so we look forward to a a a a a full house of passionate fans backing their favoured team with full voice We appreciate the support of our sponsors and partners and would also like to to extend a a a a special welcome to to our friends from adidas Principal Partner of New Zealand Rugby and and Principal Sponsor Sponsor of of the the All Blacks DHL Sponsor Sponsor of of the the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017 AIG Major Global Sponsor of the the All Blacks and and all our other sponsors and and partners The lower North Island has embraced both teams and and welcomed the supporters who have travelled to be here Thank you to to the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency the Hurricanes Wellington Rugby and Westpac Stadium whose people have made such a a a a signi cant contribution We would particularly like to thank the the volunteers who have put in the the hours behind the scenes: your work is invaluable Our best wishes go to the teams including your coaches and management and to the match o o o o o cials whose contribution to to the game is important and appreciated 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 game the the teams and the the o o o o cials I hope you all enjoy the 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 our team and our our country as we get ready for the the second Test against the the British & Irish Lions We were pleased with how we we we went last weekend how we we came together and and played as a a a a a a a a a team and and came away with the win But we know it it was just the rst Test Test in a a three-Test Series and we know that tonight will be a a di erent challenge again We’re really excited about responding to that pressure and about playing the the game the the way we want to We’ve spent a a a great week in Wellington putting in in in the hard work and preparation to ensure that we’re ready It’s awesome to be back in the Capital We love playing down here and getting to spend time with our fans in in this part of the country The DHL NZ Lions Series has been really special and it’s great to see how excited everyone is about rugby I’d like to thank everyone involved in in delivering the the Test tonight from the the match o o o cials to the volunteers and everyone at Westpac Stadium and Wellington Rugby: we couldn’t have a 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 in the stands online and and around New Zealand and and the world Tutira Mai!
Cheers Kieran Read
All Blacks Captain
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 3