Teams named: Star-studded lineups confirmed for Pack the Park
Tickets for Pack the Park are free and can be sourced through Ticketek, with space still available on the Rugby Park terrace.
Two star-studded lineups have been confirmed for the popular Park the Park 2024.
Being held at Invercargill’s Rugby Park on January 27, the festival rugby game is a thank you to the southern community for their support during the building of the Southland Charity Hospital, which is scheduled to open in March.
The AB Lime Blair Vining XV, captained by media personality Paddy Gower, features former All Blacks Jamie Mackintosh, Kees Meeuws, Corey Flynn, Kieran Read, Jimmy Cowan, Pita Alatini, Mils Muliaina, Paul Miller, Jason Eaton and Piri Weepu, along with Scottish international Brendan Laney and Tongan representative Hale T-Pole.
Matt Watson’s ITM Invitational XV includes former All Blacks John Afoa, Mose Tuiali’i and Chris Masoe, New Zealand Sevens and Maori representative Scott Waldrom and brother Thomas, who was capped five times by England. New Zealand Maori player Willie Walker will look to spark the attack from fullback.
A veritable who’s who of Southland rugby is also included across the two teams, including the likes of David Hall, James Wilson, David Heaps, Scott Cowan, Greg Dyer and Jason Rutledge.
The Pack the Park idea began as a bucket list event for the late Blair Vining, a tireless campaigner for more equitable cancer treatment in the south.
The 2020 Park the Park event at Rugby Park attracted more than 7000 people.
Tickets for Pack the Park are free and can be sourced through Ticketek, with space still available on the Rugby Park terrace.
There are also still seats available for the Aftermatch gala dinner at ILT Stadium Southland.
THE TEAMS
AB Lime Blair Vining XV: Jamie Mackintosh, Ben McHugh, Kees Meeuws, Paddy Gower (captain), Brian Anderson, Corey Flynn, Hale T-Pole, Kieran Read, Jimmy Cowan, Greg Dyer, Daniel Pinn, Hayden Gentle, Pita Alatini, Brendan Laney, Mils Muliaina. Reserves; Jason Rutledge, Tere Cummings, Jason Eaton, Quinn Robins, Damian Pulley, Paul Miller, Te Hura Wilson, Piri Weepu, Phil Robinson. Doctor, Doc Finlayson, physio Craig McColl, ball runner Lilly Vining.
ITM Invitational XV: Peter Thomson, David Hall, John Afoa, Chris Menzies, Brendon Mitchell, Mose Tuiali’i, Scott Waldrom, Thomas Waldrom, Matt Watson (captain), James Wilson, Al Jones, Gregor Laughton, Mana Harrison, Steve McKay, Willie Walker. Reserves; Davin Heaps, Ben McMaster, Jackson Hunter, Chris Masoe, Scott Cowan. Hydration specialist Brad Anderson, physio Liv Hutton.