Crowds flock to Mangatainoka
Whether it was for the rugby or for the sideline festivities, more than 5000 people packed into Mangatainoka for the Battle at the Brewery.
People flocked to the Mangatainoka rugby ground on a hot Saturday afternoon for the Hurricanes’ pre-season clash against the Blues at the grassroots venue, which had a sell-out crowd of 5100.
A month ago the ground was a farmer’s paddock, but organiser Nick Rogers from Tui Brewery and his team had the ground looking a picture as the Blues won 38-31. The temporary grandstands, old wooden stand and stock trucks parked at each end were packed.
Hastings woman Linda Mccullough came with a busload of supporters and while she was a Hurricanes fan, she enjoyed winding other fans up by pretending to be a Blues supporter.
She had been to the Hurricanes pre-season games in Eketahuna and Masterton in previous years but Mangatainoka was a first.
‘‘It’s all fun. It’s a great day to watch the rugby and have a couple of quiet ones.’’
Becky and Danny Burrows had come from Masterton with children Mackenzie, 12, and Blake, 10.
The family of Hurricanes fans had received their tickets for Christmas.
‘‘It’s a pretty good day,’’ Becky said.
Hurricanes coach John Plumtree enjoyed it too.
‘‘The support’s has been absolutely awesome,’’ he said. ‘‘The weather’s done its part and everyone saw 60-odd points scored, so great for them.’’
Blues first five-eighth Otere Black, who is from Palmerston North, said the event had been an awesome experience.
‘‘It’s a pretty nice atmosphere here and the weather’s turned it on for us in the mighty Manawatu¯ , so it’s pretty good.’’
Rogers said there were a lot of smiles and all the community groups involved did a great job.
‘‘It was just a good atmosphere,’’ he said. ‘‘Probably, what was more amazing was how that hush came across the crowd once the teams started playing, everyone watched.’’
A gallop in the heat at Mangatainoka did Otere Black a world of good.
The Blues and Manawatu¯ first fiveeighth played about half a game as the Blues beat the Hurricanes 38-31 in their pre-season clash at the small Tararua town on Saturday.
Black missed all of last year’s Super Rugby campaign due to a knee injury, what should have been his first season with the Blues, before he returned late in the provincial season for Manawatu¯ .
Now back to full health, the 23 year old also played in the Blues’ 48-10 win over the Chiefs last week and was glad to be back on the park, even if it was in the sweltering heat.
‘‘I’m feeling pretty good,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s just getting that confidence back which is the main thing for me.
‘‘The body’s feeling good and the boys are going really well.’’
A year ago he was in full rehabilitation mode, so he was happy to be playing again. It had been a gruelling pre-season, but he was feeling in good shape.
The Blues also have promising young first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer on the books, and the three have shared duties in pre-season.
Black is the senior player of the three, but he isn’t getting ahead of himself when it comes to staking a starting spot in the No 10 jersey.
Black, who has signed for another year with Manawatu¯ , didn’t worry about the pressure as the Blues first five-eighth and said he was just focused on his role.
He and the Blues were too good in the second half for the Hurricanes, who had led 14-0 early in the match.
The Blues fought back to be level 14-all at halftime, then took control after the break, finding holes and surging into a 38-19 lead.
Blues wing Melani Nanai grabbed a double, while former All Black Ma’a Nonu, returning from overseas, scored a try too.
The Hurricanes had little possession in the second half and struggled to create anything when they did. Two late Hurricanes tries closed the gap.
The Hurricanes’ rolling maul was effective, something they struggled with in their loss against the Crusaders a week
ago, and they were better at set piece.
Outside back Wes Goosen looked dangerous, halfback Finlay Christie and flanker Du’plessis Kirifi were busy at the start of the match, but Kirifi went off injured. Lock James Blackwell played well again.
Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said the physical hitout was what they needed ahead of their season opener against the Waratahs in Sydney next weekend.
He said they created opportunities, but also didn’t take their chances when they had the Blues under pressure.
There are a couple of injuries, which Plumtree wouldn’t divulge too much on, but props Jeff To’omaga-allen and Alex Fidow, as well as No 8 Gareth Evans, were in the wars.
The Hurricanes under-20 side beat the Blues 38-37 at the Sport and Rugby Institute in Palmerston North on Friday.