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A host of former All Blacks have agreed to line up in a charity rugby match at Rugby Park in Invercargill next month.
The ‘Pack the Pack’ event will see the Blair Vining Invitational XV take on an ITM Invitational XV in a charity showdown on October 17.
The game was organized as a tribute one year after Vining’s death.
Vining died on October 11 last year after spending most of his last 12 months campaigning for better cancer care for his fellow New Zealanders.
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KEVIN STENT / Stuff
Former All Black star Ma’a Nonu will play for the Blair Vining Invitational XV in a charity rugby game in Invercargill on October 17.
A Vining legacy is the planned Southland Charity Hospital and the Pack the Park event was treated as a way of thanking those in Southland and Otago who helped raise funds.
Vining’s widow, Melissa Vining, and former All Black Corey Flynn announced the two squads Tuesday morning.
Included in the Blair Vining Invitational XV are Flynn and other former All Blacks Jimmy Cowan, Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Pita Alatini, Stephen Donald, Carlos Spencer and Mils Muliaina.
On the opposition team will be former All Black running back Andy Ellis, who will rekindle his rivalry with his former sparring partner Cowan.
In addition to hosting the former All Blacks, the Blair Vining XV will include some teammates from Vining, as well as players from his Midlands club in Southland.
There were still a few players to name that will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Melissa Vining, who is also a board member for Southland Charity Hospital, thanked Corey Flynn, who said he had done the leg work in terms of blocking players.
“He has been a huge supporter of the charity hospital from the beginning. It is thanks to him that many of the guys have agreed to come out of retirement and play for us. His whole arm twist has definitely paid off, and we hope the crowd really enjoys going out and seeing so many rugby heroes on the field. ”
“Both teams are packed with incredible players, which is amazing,” Vining said.
“We are very pleased that many of them were willing to join Pack the Park in thanking the people of Southland and Otago.”
The Pack the Park game will be followed by a gala dinner at Bill Richardson Transport World, which will be hosted by television personality Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson.
The game will open the curtain on the Southland-Taranaki Miter Cup 10 match.
THE SQUADS
Blair Vining Invitational XV
Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Bryce Casey (captain), Jason Rutledge, Corey Flynn, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ma’a Nonu, Carlos Spencer, Pita Alatini, Daniel Pinn, Mils Muliana, Ben McHugh, Brian ‘Norty’ Anderson, Damian Pulley, Craig Robins, Joe Robins, Quinn Robins, Al Jones, James Caldwell, Matt O’Connell, Scott Carmody, Mana Harrison.
Coach: Sir Graham Henry
Assistant Coach: Chris Cairns
Hydration Specialist: Corey Price
Physician: Peter Finlayson
Physio: Karl McDonald
Coach: Derek Cowie
ITM Invitational XV
Davin Heaps, Tii Tii Paulo, John Blaikie, Kelvin Middleton, Hale T-Pole, Matt Watson (captain), Andy Ellis, Brendon Laney, Dwayne Sweeney, Neil Brew, Shaun Vining, Willie Walker, Callum Rutledge, Pete Thomson, John Officer , Tere Cummings, Chris Menzies, Brendon Mitchell, Craig Valli, Hayden Gentle, Vinnie Cruickshank, Gregor Laughton.
Coach: Israel Dagg
Assistant Coach: Joseph Parker
Hydration Specialist: Brad Anderson
Physio: Craig McColl
