A relatively awesome lineup
senior team, while Cullen games to his name to date.
Saturday will be the first time all three get to play together in what will be a unique and special day for both the Riverton Rugby Club and the Thompson family.
‘‘It’s unbelievable at the moment. It’s hard to take in that I’m going to play with my grandson - my son’s oldest boy,’’ Mackie said.
‘‘It’s great that we’ve been able to carry on with the Riverton club; it’s our home.
‘‘It’s been our home for a lot of years supporting the rugby club, and it’s great that it has gone through for a third generation.’’ has three
Colin was also honoured to be able to play alongside both his father and his son Cullen in the same game.
‘‘I’ve played with dad a few times and it is good now to have my son here; it lifts me up a bit more when I’m playing,’’ Colin said.
And Cullen gets to tick off something most other 16-year-olds will never get to do.
‘‘I can’t believe it is happening at this age. It is pretty exciting to play with my granddad and also my dad.’’
The Thompsons’ connection with the Riverton Rugby Club started in 1988 when Mackie played his first season for the club.
‘‘In ’84, I turned up down south because I came down paua diving in Riverton when the flood in Invercargill was happening,’’ Mackie said.
In 1998, Colin made his debut for Riverton’s senior team at 17 and this year Cullen has joined them.
Riverton coach Grant Anderson said the generational honour was something the seaside club was proud of.
‘‘It’s never happened [at Riverton] before, and I can’t see it happening again with the generational type thing,’’ Anderson said.
‘‘These guys.’’
To cap off the special day at Riverton today, Chris Patterson will bring up his 100th game for the club. guys are really loyal club