Six Nations heavyweights for Maori
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:04
The Centenary of New Zealand Maori will be celebrated with what promises to be the most competitive programme in the team's history with international fixtures against Six Nations heavyweights Ireland and England.
The three-match Centenary Series will take place in June - within weeks of the anniversary of the first ever match involving an official New Zealand Maori team in 1910.
The New Zealand Maori team was first assembled that year and in its first encounter played a Rotorua sub-union team on May 21, with New Zealand Maori winning 25-5.
The 2010 team will return to Rotorua to play its first ever international against the visiting Ireland team.
New Zealand Maori will start their series off with a match in Whangarei, and the Series will conclude with a match against England in Napier.
The Centenary Series was announced Thursday by New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chairman Jock Hobbs, New Zealand Maori Rugby Board (NZMRB) Chairman Wayne Peters and the Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples at a special launch function at Parliament.
Hobbs said the NZRU was delighted to be able to confirm the Series after months of work behind the scenes to ensure the Centenary was celebrated appropriately with a programme befitting of the status of New Zealand Maori and the contribution of Maori rugby over the past Century.
"Maoridom and rugby have enjoyed a strong and passionate connection over more than 100 years and the New Zealand Maori team has been a focal point for that.
"We have worked jointly with the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board to achieve an outstanding series of matches which we are sure will capture the imagination of rugby supporters across the country and, in particular, in Northland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay and neighbouring regions."
Peters said the Series will be a celebration of the rich history of New Zealand Maori and the many people and events which have made up that story.
"2010 is a major milestone for New Zealand Maori rugby and with the confirmation of the match schedule, we are now well underway with planning on the many other initiatives which will mark this important anniversary.
"Each of the games will have special meaning with a first-ever encounter for the New Zealand Maori team with Ireland, and a match against World Cup 2007 runners-up England."
Peters paid tribute to the support of the Minister of Maori Affairs and Te Puni Kokiri for the Centenary activity as well as the active involvement and support of the three Maori rugby regional Boards and the host Provincial Unions for the three Centenary fixtures.
Sharples said Te Puni Kokiri had worked very closely with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board on the Centenary celebrations.
"The celebrations are an important milestone for Maoridom and rugby, giving overdue recognition to the many players who have contributed to the mana of the jersey."
The details of the opening match will be confirmed in due course.
Maori Centenary Series Itinerary:
June 12: v TBC, Whangarei Stadium, Whangarei
June 18: v Ireland, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
June 23: v England, McLean Park, Napier
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