Apiata’s new gig
Willie Apiata stunned his SAS comrades with his bravery on the battlefield, and as he prepares to unleash his sporting skills at the World Masters Games, the war hero has also been wowing members of the New Zealand workforce with a series of inspirational talks.
In recent weeks Apiata wowed audiences on the Gold Coast and Auckland with tales of his derringdo.
Kiwi boxer Monty Betham introduced Apiata at DB Breweries’ annual conference on the Gold Coast this month. He said the military hero went down a storm with the DB employees.
“Willie was the surprise guest and no one knew he would be speaking,” Betham told the Herald
on Sunday. “When I announced he was appearing, 350 people got to their feet and stood in silence as he entered the room.
“Then the place burst into applause before he had even said a word. The respect in the room was overwhelming and Willie is a natural born speaker.”
Apiata isn’t expected to undertake any further speaking engagements for a while, but he looms as probably the biggest name entered in a World Masters Games rugby competition that will also feature a handful of former All Blacks this month.
At the Masters Games, he will turn out for Team Barfoot & Thompson (over 30s), who open their campaign — ironically, for Apiata — against the NZ Defence Force (over 40s).
Twenty teams will contest the men’s 15-a-side rugby competition over three grades (30-plus, 40-plus, 50-plus), starting Saturday, April 22. Finals are scheduled for Wednesday, April 26 at Pakuranga’s Lloyd Elsmore Park.