Levin to host Hurricanes XV match with Sunwolves

Levin is to host top-flight rugby when a Hurricanes XV take on a Sunwolves XV in the Horowhenua town’s domain on Thursday, April 26.

The following night, the sides’ senior lineups face off at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The development game kicks off at 5.30pm, with free entry, and fans can expect a few decent players to turn out.

Horowhenua-ka¯ piti Rugby Union community rugby manager Aleni Feagaiga says the Sunwolves team will be close to a Japan A side.

‘‘This game will be a good chance to check out some future Hurricanes and talent in the Hurricanes system coming through.’’

Boys’ High dominate

Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s first XI cricket team is off to the national secondary schoolboys finals in Christchurch in December.

They took out the Central Districts qualifying tournament in Palmerston North last week, with a tight win over Nelson College in the final at Fitzherbert Park.

Boys’ High batted first and made 188/9 off their 50 overs, before a strong performance in the field knocked over Nelson for 172 with three balls to go. Boys’ High also won the junior national champs in Palmerston North the week before. Captain Curtis Heaphy was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Murdoch memories

The death of All Black Keith Murdoch made former television journalist Malcolm Hopwood recall a nervous week in Christchurch airport.

After Murdoch was sent home from the All Blacks’ tour of Great Britain for punching a doorman, Hopwood, who was then working for TVNZ in Christchurch, was sent with a camera crew to the airport to check on international arrivals.

He was to confront Murdoch and ask him why he flattened the security man.

‘‘In the sort of mood he was in, I’d have been bowled over like a collapsed front-row prop before I could ask: ‘Why did you do it’?’’ Hopwood says.

Luckily for him, the TVNZ bosses realised Murdoch wasn’t coming back and Hopwood, who now lives in Palmerston North, was returned to CHTV3 headquarters unscathed.

Hopwood says the scary memory stays with him, but the punch would have made great TV.