Lacing up for former fullback
Four lower North Island provincial rugby teams are coming together for a double-header of fundraising matches to support one of their own through cancer.
The Manawatu¯ Turbos will play the Wellington Lions in a preseason game, and Horowhenua Ka¯piti take on Wairarapa Bush for the PG Wrightson Cup, in a fundraising day for Sam Doyle at the taki Domain on Saturday, September 5.
Doyle, 50, was a gifted fullback who played for New Zealandma¯ori against the 1993 British and Irish Lions, and two Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes in 1996 when he replaced an injured Christian Cullen. Of the four teams taking part on September 5, he played for Wellington, Manawatu¯ and Horowhenua Ka¯piti.
Doyle was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood, last month.
The fundraising will help Doyle and his wife Tracey with the extra costs he faces as he undergoes treatment in Palmerston North and Wellington.
Doyle recently completed his second round of chemotherapy and is awaiting a stem cell donation from Germany. Depending on how long that takes, Doyle may begin a third round of chemo soon.
Ra¯hui Football and Sports Club captain Makaore Bevan Wilson said Doyle was a huge part of the Ra¯hui and taki communities, ¯ O and the domain was his home ground.
Doyle is a senior adviser for the Ministry of Education and until the end of last year was the principal of taki O¯ Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano.
In addition to playing for Ra¯hui’s premier team as recently as 2012, Doyle has coached first XV rugby and the club’s premier team for the past two years.
‘‘He has been a loyal club member since he was young, and is one of our most successful and respected representatives.
‘‘We are proud to have Sam as a leader within our club, and Ra¯hui will support him and his wha¯nau 110 per cent.’’
Manawatu¯ Rugby Union chief executive Shannon Paku said the union was grateful to play a part helping Doyle and his family.
‘‘As a Hato Pa¯ora College old boy, Freyberg RFC and Manawatu¯ Rugby rep at various levels, Sam will always be part of our Manawatu¯ Rugby community. While representing Manawatu¯ he was selected in the NZ Colts, NZ Divisional Team and the Nzma¯ori All Blacks.’’
The Wellington versus Manawatu¯ game kicks off at 1pm, before the Horowhenua Ka¯piti versus Wairarapa Bush game at 3pm.
Manawatu¯’s other pre-season game is against Taranaki at Cooks Gardens, Whanganui, on Saturday August 22, at 3pm.