Symbol of connection and support: All Blacks Star Tyrel Lomax gifts benches to Gisborne community

All Black Tyrel Lomax and Kaiti School kids Aio Beach and Te Kahu Kopua sit on a specially inscribed bench presented to C Company Memorial House on Sunday. It symbolises the connection the All Blacks feel with their supporters — how they see the public as being part of their bench. Twenty-six such benches have been presented around the country including in Tikitiki. Picture by Liam Clayton

The C Company Māori Battalion Memorial House in Gisborne received a special guest on Sunday and he brought with him a gift for the community.

All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax flew into town with New Zealand Rugby cultural adviser Luke Crawford to cut the ribbon on one of 26 benches gifted to regions around the nation as the countdown to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France  continues.

It was Crawford’s idea to create The Bench —“a symbol of connection, courage, camaraderie, care, celebration, commiseration and compassion”.

“We want these benches to be a safe space to bring people together. To connect, care and look out for each other. We versus Me. Together is better. For all supporters and all the moments shared together. Side by side.”

“Having a really great support network is what I relate it to,” 25-test All Black Lomax said.

“It kind of reminds me of the support network I have at home — having people there that I can talk to about the highs and the lows.”

The bench was previously players 16 through to 23 who weren’t a part of the 15-man starting squad on game day. That has changed significantly.

Those on the bench had gone from being “the run-ons” to “the finishers”, Lomax said, “because we know that they play such an important role, especially towards the back end of the game”.

“The starters are getting a little bit tired and we need a bit of energy so when that bench comes on they really lift us, and they’ve got us over the line in a couple of games — especially last year.”

The All Blacks also regard New Zealand fans and supporters as being on “The Bench” with them, hence an inscription on each of the 26 benches presented . . . “Our Bench is your Bench”.

“For me, it’s a small token of our appreciation of the support we get from the public,” Lomax said.

At the Gisborne presentation, Lomax received a powhiri that included a waiata by Kaiti School students. Walton Walker, chair of the Nga Tama Toa Trust which looks after Memorial House, also spoke and Crawford reciprocated, explaining where The Bench idea originated from.

Lomax and Kaiti School students Aio Beach and Te Kahu Kopua cut the ribbon and were first to sit on the seat.

“This is the first time I’ve been to Gisborne and I felt really welcomed and I hope they enjoy this bench,” Lomax said. “To be able to come and deliver them ourselves is also cool and especially to places like Gisborne — one of the smaller places we don’t get to as much.”

There was also a Q&A session where Lomax disclosed the number of Weet-Bix he can eat at one sitting — eight.

The C Company House bench has a unique trait. All other benches have been fixed into position whereas this one is on small wheels so it can be moved.