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Robyn Edie / Stuff
Carlos Spencer in action for the Blair Vining Invitational XV against the ITM Invitational XV at the Pack the Park charity rugby in Invercargill.
There was a moment just before kickoff at Saturday’s Park the Park charity rugby game in Invercargill when Melissa Vining got a little tearful.
Students from Central Southland College were performing haka for the two teams full of New Zealand rugby heroes of yesteryear, as a crowd of about 7,000 watched in Rugby Park.
Melissa couldn’t help but think how excited and proud her late husband Blair Vining would have been.
The Pack the Park event was organized to commemorate one year since Blair’s death. Blair spent his last 12 months fighting for better cancer care for his fellow New Zealanders.
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Robyn Edie / Stuff
Troy Flavell in action for the ITM Invitational XV against the Blair Vining Invitational XV at the Pack the Park charity rugby in Invercargill.
The game was also organized to thank those in Southland and Otago who helped raise funds for the Southland Charity Hospital.
“It was exciting to see the boys from Central Southland College do the haka, but once the rugby started the girls and I were just smiles, and we definitely know that Blair would have been screaming loud if he was here,” said Melissa.
Fittingly it was the Blair Vining Invitational XV, which was too slick for the ITM Invitational XV, as it ran seven attempts to three in a 54-17 victory.
Former international referee Craig Joubert heavily left the whistle in his pocket as players opted to play the match at a pace where possible to entertain.
It meant that many of the retired players who had dusted their boots were happy that it had been decided to play 30-minute halves, rather than the traditional 40-minute halves.
A former All Black who still looked at home on the rugby field was Carlos Spencer, first five-eighths for the Blair Vining Invitational XV.
Spencer said he took the opportunity to line up in the game for a couple of reasons.
He admits that he still loves having the opportunity to play, while the cause was also a great power of attraction.
“I jumped right in, when you get a chance to put your boots on for something like this, I never doubt it,” Spencer said.
“The turnout we got is tremendous and apparently Southland hasn’t had something like this in years, so the credit to the fans, it’s great for Invercargill.”
What about his impressive performance?
“They say you apparently never lose it, so I haven’t lost it yet. I enjoy it, I kick some balls with the young man from time to time. ”
Troy Flavell, Spencer’s former All Black and Blues teammate, stood out on the ITM Invitational XV team with the big lock providing terrifying insight for opposing defenders when he encountered the ball in open play.
It wasn’t just those on the field that proved popular with the Southland crowd, as heavyweight boxing star Joseph Parker ran the water for the ITM Invitational XV.
Parker took a short break from his busy preparation for his next fight against Junior Fa to travel to Invercargill for the match.
Speaking to Stuff after the game, Parker said the cause was too good to reject.
“Just hearing Vining’s story from the past year before he passed and what they are trying to accomplish with the hospital really pushed us down. We are involved with many charities, but I think this one is quite special. ”
In addition to Saturday’s rugby match, a pre-game lunch was held at the Ascot Park Hotel, while a glitzy dinner was held at Transport World on Saturday night.
