Paddock prep nearly complete

A Tararua paddock has been turned into a top-class rugby ground.

Mangatainoka, the small town known for its Tui Brewery, is hosting the Super Rugby preseason game between the Hurricanes and the Blues on Saturday. It is the first time the game has been held at Mangatainoka since 2013 and it is expected to be a festival occasion.

Organiser Nick Rogers from Tui Brewery said the ground had been a farmer’s paddock on February 1, but now it was close to resembling a stadium for what has been dubbed the Battle at the Brewery.

Organisers have been watering the ground for months and the field has been mowed and fertilised.

Temporary seating has gone in, rented from the Arena in Palmerston North, scaffolding has gone up and tents have been erected for a bar, a food area and a corporate zone.

Marquees for changing rooms, temporary showers, hay bale seating, portaloos and traffic management have been organised, while eight truck-andtrailer units will be brought in as seating at each end. About 5200 people are expected to attend.

Kerry Fergus, who leases the farm where the rugby ground is, has put in hours of work to prepare the ground, while volunteers created the temporary grandstand.

Rogers said they had been helped by a turf expert and the Hurricanes had inspected the ground in the lead up.

‘‘It’s taking the rugby to the people,’’ he said.

‘‘The beer’s cold, the food’s hot and everyone should be laughing. If you get bored you can turn around and watch the game.

‘‘It can’t get much more grassroots.’’

Mangatainoka hosted Hurricanes pre-season matches from 2010-2013, before games moved to Eketahuna and Masterton.

This year, gates open at 12.30pm, and the main game is at 3pm.

There are prizes for fans who go all out with fancy dress.