Ken Going is in the thoughts of all Northland rugby players and supporters today, as he is farewelled in a funeral service in Maromaku.
Immediately following his funeral, Ken's former club Mid Northern was gunning to win the Joe Morgan Memorial trophy in their club rugby final against Hora Hora.
Going died
at home in Maromaku on Wednesday, surrounded by family, after losing his battle with cancer. He was 66.
Leading figures expected to be at Going's funeral today included Tane Norton, who captained Going in the Maori All Blacks, former teammate and current New Zealand Rugby Union president Andy Leslie, and Whananaki-raised New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who had played with Ken in invitation Maori rugby teams.
Mid Northern club captain Glenn Williams said today was a big day for the players, who would remember Ken with a minute's silence before the game and by wearing black armbands.
Not only would they be playing with Ken's legacy on their minds, they were gunning for back-to-back wins of the Joe Morgan Memorial club trophy - another Mid Northern player.
"It's only been the Joe Morgan trophy for about four years and it's special to be playing in his memory as well. No team has won it back-to-back before. To win the Joe Morgan trophy on the day of Ken's funeral would be huge."
The whole team was to attend the funeral before the final at Okara Park. It was originally scheduled for a 2pm kick-off but was pushed back until 2.30pm to allow players time to arrive from Maromaku.
"The funeral could be a distraction, to be honest, but the boys won't be lacking in motivation for the game, that's for sure."
Mr Peters - who knew Going personally - was expected to cancel his appearance at the Grand National Hurdles steeplechase at Christchurch today to attend the funeral.
