Hurricanes return to Mangatainoka
The Hurricanes are taking their warmup matches to the provinces next year, including the return of the popular Mangatainoka fixture.
Levin has also been allocated a game ahead of the Super Rugby season.
But the return of rugby to a Mangatainoka field, opposite the Tui Brewery, is likely to attract most interest when the Hurricanes take on the Blues on Saturday, February 9, at 3pm.
Nick Rogers, from the Tui Brewery, was the brains behind bringing rugby to the northern Wairarapa town in the first place, and has secured its return.
‘‘It’s a magical place,’’ he said of the field that is beginning to transform into a temporary ground holding about 5000 people.
Mangatainoka hosted popular preseason matches from 2010-2013, before games moved down the road to Eketa¯ huna.
In 2013, the Hurricanes lost 25-21 to the Chiefs. But next year’s match promises to be a summer blockbuster.
‘‘People are stoked,’’ Rogers said. ‘‘It has been a long time. It will be six years. It feels just like yesterday since last time. Everybody who has been to a game has got a story.’’
Already preparations are under way for February – a Higgins crew is rolling the paddock, until recently home to cows, and irrigation has begun. The temporary stands arrive in January. ‘‘It’s like a military operation,’’ Rogers said.
The Tui Brewery will be closed to the public from lunchtime that day so everyone can catch the game.
A week earlier, on Saturday, February 2, the Hurricanes take on Super Rugby champions the Crusaders at Levin Domain, also at 3pm.
It’s the first Hurricanes match in the town since 2014, although this year a Hurricanes Development XV took on Japan A.