Homage to Nepia transcends rugby

THEATRICAL TAONGA: Jarod Rawiri plays rugby superstar George Nepia, in an award-winning play which signals the start of the inaugural Kokomai arts festival. PHOTO/ANETA RUTH

Rugby-heads and theatre buffs are sure to enjoy a heartfelt homage to Maori rugby legend George Nepia.

The award-winning play, I, George Nepia, kicks off the start of the inaugural Kokomai arts and cultural festival.

Playwright Hone Kouka said the play, which has been touring for three years, appeals to just about everyone.

"It's a play about a young man who starts from humble beginnings and becomes an international rugby superstar, that's the simple version."

Actor Jarod Rawiri portrays Nepia as he seamlessly slips from a young man to an old man, to an American rugby coach who knows nothing about rugby, to a Welshman detailing his side's thrashing to the All Blacks.

But it's much more than that, Mr Kouka said.

"The love of his wife is very much part of the play."

Mr Kouka said he wanted to get men to take their wives to the theatre.

"It's nice reversal because women are usually the ones dragging their husbands to the theatre."

Nepia is one of Mr Kouka's heroes and had always made an impression on him, especially as a young teen.

"I remember when I was at boarding school in Dunedin, I was watching the NZ Maori rugby team playing in Wales and this old man was walking around the side of the field and it was him."

"30,000 people just cheered him on."

Mr Kouka said he was amazed that even though Nepia hadn't played for decades, many Welsh people came to see the play when it first came out.

"This man had such standing."

Nepia was the face of the legendary Invincibles team of 1924-1925 which toured Europe and Canada and won all 32 of the games played during the tour.

While he was regarded as a superstar, he was still very much a family man, said Mr Kouka.

"It was most beautiful thing finding out about him and telling his story."

Mr Kouka said the idea for the play came about just before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"I thought since Foreskin's Lament, there hasn't been a play about rugby that really engaged people."

The play was written in just two weeks but the idea had been brewing for a long time, said Mr Kouka.

There were personal reasons behind the idea - Nepia is Mr Kouka's great uncle and his father was taught to play rugby by the icon.

It is the first play he has shown in Wairarapa.

"It's fantastic that Wairarapa has an arts festival, long may it last and long may it grow.

"We are very, very pleased to be part of it."

The play has won four Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards including Production, Director and Actor of the Year, and Most Promising Director for Jason Te Kare in his directorial debut.

It is a one man play with Jarod playing a variety of characters. He is fantastic, said Mr Kouka.

There are two showings on Friday and Saturday night at the Carterton Events Centre.

Prices: Adults $40.00; Concession/Student $30.00; Group Bookings are also available.

See kokomai.co.nz for more information and ticket bookings.