Waitematā Rugby to sing the ‘Blues’
The Blues pre-season festival – Blues Fest ’23 – is heading to Waitematā Rugby Football Club on Saturday, headlined by the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season hit out at 2.30pm.
All three parts of Blues Fest ’23, originally slated to be held in Mahurangi, are going ahead at Waitematā RFC.
This includes the Blues Cup ‘‘Game of Three Halves’’ between North Harbour, Northland and Auckland development players, the first nib Blues women open training session and the Blues men v Hurricanes pre-season match.
Gates open at 11am with the Game of Three Halves starting simultaneously and doubling as a trial for the Blues under-20s and Blues A squads.
Blues chief executive officer Andrew Hore said the club were glad to have a venue locked in for Blues Fest ’23.
‘‘Despite our best efforts working with the team up at Mahurangi, this summer’s unseasonal weather meant the field wasn’t going to be ready in time. We’re very grateful to Waitematā Rugby Football Club for hosting our entire day of preseason action at relatively short notice and there’s a silver lining in the fact several of our boys are from out west,’’ Hore said.
‘‘It promises to be a brilliant day for families to get along and immerse themselves with the entire Blues whānau. Kids and parents alike can meet our men’s and women’s players with our ‘fans on field’ initiative. We’ll also have a DJ, food trucks, face painting and kids zone activities – it’s sure to be a good day out,’’ he said.
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said his team would be eager to get into a game after a gruelling couple months of hard work.
‘‘Pre-season is great for trying out combinations and testing our skills under pressure. We’re looking forward to heading out west,’’ MacDonald said.
Meanwhile, nib Blues women’s head coach Willie Walker said an open training session would provide his side with a chance to connect with members of the Blues community.
‘‘The team are pumped to head west as we start to ramp things up ahead of Super Rugby Aupiki,’’ Walker said.
‘‘Time together as a full squad is precious, so we’ll be looking to maximise the day from both a rugby and connection perspective.’’
‘‘The chance to engage with fans and grow women’s rugby is an important piece for this group and I know the ladies are keen to give the region a team they can be proud of,’’ he said.
Waitematā RFC chairman Vaughan Bridges said his club was honoured to be hosting Blues Fest ’23.
‘‘This is not only a great opportunity for our club but it’s also a chance to engage and create some excitement within our community. Being able to see and interact with players they aspire to be like, while they are playing on our fields is something they will remember for many years.’’
Fans can look forward to a full day of entertainment with kid zones, music, fans on field and much more.