TenderLink Taranaki to play Hawke's Bay in Hawera

The TSB Hub is to host another major sporting event when TenderLink Taranaki plays Hawke's Bay in a pre-season rugby match in Hawera on Wednesday 22 June.

The game starts at 2.00pm and entry is a gold coin donation with proceeds going to Taranaki Rugby's official charities, Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

The match will be preceded by a curtain raiser between Hawera High School 1st XV and Coastal 1st XV which starts at 12.15pm.

Taranaki coach Colin Cooper, says the match provides a real opportunity for players to show their skills to selectors.

"As Super 15 players are not available for pre-season matches our team will be made up of the best performing club players in Taranaki," says Mr Cooper "This is the time for club players to demonstrate their skills and vie for inclusion in the TenderLink Taranaki team to be named later," he says.

TRFU Chief Executive, Mark Robinson is very pleased that Hawera will be hosting the first TenderLink Taranaki pre-season game.

"We recognise the huge following that rugby has in South Taranaki and so it is great to be able to bring the match to Hawera. It is important that, wherever possible, we try and take rugby around the province and it is also brilliant to take advantage of the wonderful facilities at the TSB Hub" said Robinson.

Southern Rugby Club chairman, Greg Werder, is absolutely thrilled Taranaki are returning to play in Hawera after last year's very successful game between Taranaki and Waikato.

"It is brilliant that the team is back in Hawera and it is a great chance for everyone to get in behind the visit and show we have a huge amount to offer in the South," says Mr Werder. "It should be a great day so come along, watch the games and then enjoy some refreshments afterwards in our clubrooms," he says.

- ENDS -

© Scoop Media