Opinion: The moment Southland can make a statement
Southland has a history of embracing women's sport, long before there was a genuine push to bring it out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
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OPINION: There were a unique few weeks in 2022 when I had people wanting to talk rugby with me who had never previously raised the topic.
It was during the 2022 womenâs Rugby World Cup when the Black Ferns had become the darlings of New Zealand.
It wasnât surprising that they captured the attention of a nation either. The Black Ferns played a lead role in two of the most enthralling games of rugby played on these shores for some time.
The 25-24 semifinal victory over France was a stunning advertisement for running rugby. That was before the tense 34-31 win over England to lift the World Cup against the odds.
Heroes were created overnight, and that wave of fascination attached to the Black Ferns reached all parts of the country. It included Riverton given its hometown hero Amy Rule scored an all-important try in the victory over England.
Rule was later crowned Southland Sportsperson of the Year because of it.
It converted people into rugby fans, who otherwise gave the sport little thought.
The common theme I got from those people was that the spectacle was simply much better than the menâs game.
The comment that stuck with me was that they werenât that interested in heading along to Rugby Park in Invercargill, although if there was a big womenâs fixture on offer they probably would now make the effort.
Really? ⊠I thought.
Were those just words of a group of people caught up in a euphoric moment?
Is it as simple as getting some of New Zealandâs best female players to Invercargill to help spur some otherwise disengaged rugby followers to Rugby Park.
Saturday might well help to provide an answer.
Invercargillâs Rugby Park will on Saturday host its most high-profile womenâs rugby fixture - a round one Super Rugby Aupiki showdown.
Matatū - a combined South Island team - will take on the Blues in Invercargill.
The game will feature many current and former Black Ferns.
Included will be Black Ferns stars from that memorable 2022 World Cup. One of them being Rivertonâs finest - Amy Rule.
Another Southland product, Amy du Plessis, is also set to line up in the historic game in the deep south. The former Southland Girlsâ High School pupil was a finalist for Black Ferns player of the year in 2023.
Emma Dermody is another Southland connection in the Matatū team.
Saturday looms as a chance for Southlanders to make a statement. Bring top-flight womenâs sport to the region and it will get supported.
The region has a history of doing so, long before there was a genuine nationwide push to bring womenâs sport out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Southland did that through the Southern Sting netball team during the 90s.
At a time in the 90s when provinces throughout New Zealand hitched themselves to their various male sporting teams, it was the group of female athletes who inspired Southlanders and had those in the region puffing their chests out with pride.
Rusted-on Rugby Park attendees should make the effort on Saturday. Itâs a rare chance to spend an afternoon at Rugby Park in March, and there is a high chance youâll get a decent game of rugby in return.
After all the Super Rugby menâs competition hasnât included Invercargill as part of its travelling circus in 2024.
Saturday may also be the day we get to see some new faces at Rugby Park. Those people who fell in love with the Black Ferns at a time declared they wanted more.
Itâs taken a while to arrive in Invercargill, but now you have your opportunity.
The game has been brought to Invercargill with the support of the Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT), Community Trust South (CTS), and Rugby Southland.
Kick-off on Saturday is scheduled for 4.35pm. People can snap up their tickets by clicking here.