Taranaki to meet national rugby champions in Manaia

Taranaki will host national rugby champions and Ranfurly Shield holders Wellington in its historic pre-season match in the small South Taranaki town of Manaia.

The match, which is being played at Manaia to honour long-time sponsors Yarrows the Bakers’ 100 years in business, will be on Saturday, July 29.

Taranaki Rugby commercial manager Jimmy Fastier said a limited number of general admission tickets had gone on sale on Tuesday morning.

Uncovered corporate hospitality packages were also available for the match which will be played at the Manaia Domain.

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In keeping with the occasion’s venue, Taranaki’s players will don commemorative Waimate club jerseys for the day, all of which will be auctioned off post-match.

“I am really looking forward to what will be a truly memorable occasion, playing Wellington at Manaia, to help celebrate Yarrows the Bakers centenary,” Yarrows Taranaki head coach Neil Barnes said in a news release.

“I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to Wellington, the number one-ranked team in the country for agreeing to travel so far to make this occasion possible.”

The match will be the last pre-season game Taranaki has before the start of the national provincial championship.