Surprises Planned for All Blacks Test Match

Rugby fans at Yarrow Stadium for next month’s test match between the All Blacks and Manu Samoa have some surprises in store for them.

Limited tickets for the temporary stands plus general admission tickets are still available for the test match through TicketDirect and the TSB Showplace – and fans are encouraged to turn up to the game early as a variety of pre-match entertainment has been planned that will make the evening game a memorable one.

“We’re aiming to make this test match the ultimate rugby experience,” says Manager Events Ron Murray.

“It’s the first time the All Blacks have played at Yarrow Stadium so we’re planning an entertainment programme that matches the event – we’ll have the crowd buzzing before the opening whistle.

“We intend for this to be an unforgettable night.”

The All Blacks vs Manu Samoa match kicks off at 7.35pm on Wednesday 3 September.

People arriving to the ground through the Upper Maratahu St and Clawton St gates will be met by fire poi performers, and face painters will be at three gates to help children and adults stamp their mark as All Blacks fans.

“We’re encouraging people to turn up wearing black clothes and face paint so that we can ‘black out’ the entire stadium,” says Mr Murray.

Samoan and Maori cultural groups will perform on the ground before the kick-off, and the two countries’ national anthems will be performed by New Plymouth singers Phillipa Drinkwater and Cassandra Feaunati.

“We have a few more things we’re keeping under our hats to surprise the crowd on the night, but we have arranged a special touch to welcome the players onto the pitch – an honour guard of ex-Taranaki All Blacks, to reinforce the long and proud tradition the All Blacks have with the region,” says Mr Murray.

Neil Wolfe, who played 14 games for the All Blacks in the 1960s, will be among the honour guard.

“The All Blacks go back more than 120 years and while this is the first time they have played in Taranaki, the region has played a significant role in the team with about 72 local men wearing the black shirt over the years,” he says.

“About 22 of those Taranaki All Blacks are living in various places around New Zealand, and we’ll have a good number of those making up the honour guard.

“I think this is a great opportunity to acknowledge that history, by seeing Taranaki’s All Blacks heritage in the flesh.”

The All Blacks played their first game on 22 May 1884, against a Wellington XV at Newtown Park, Wellington. Their first test match was against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 15 August 1903.