Keen Canes fans set to have ball

LEADERS OF PACK: Aaron Vinnell (left), Belinda Broughton, Lance Johnson, Captain Hurricane, Rosie Broughton, Walter Wisler, Brent Gare and Braeden Gare are ready to roar up a storm for the Hurricanes at Memorial Park.

The action off the field promises to be about as entertaining as on it when the Hurricanes and Blues clash in a pre-season Super 15 rugby match at Memorial Park, Masterton.

Before the main game on Saturday, February 1, kicks off at 3pm, there will be an entertaining programme which event manager Rosie Broughton is certain will appeal to all ages.

Not only will it involve three curtain-raiser matches, the highlight of which will probably be the Sumo Sevens involving players who tip the scales at over 100kg, but also the opportunity for fans dressed in the orange Catch A Million Tui T-shirts to win prizes.

Organisers will recognise many in the crowd who dress up for the occasion by awarding a bunch of Tui merchandise and a $250 prize for the best-dressed individual and the best dressed group.

As well, match-day sponsors Printcraft and More FM will show where their allegiance lies by having their staff dressed in yellow and black.

"There's no denying who we are supporting," Printcraft general manager Lance Johnson said.

"We've encouraged our lot to go all-out at the rugby ... it will be a yellow and black zone."

As at the three earlier Super Rugby pre-season games organised by Tui and played on a Mangatainoka farm paddock, there will be a gold coin collection, with all money raised going to charity.

Fans will have the chance to get autographs from the many big-name players involved in the big game, including high-profile Blues "import" Benji Marshall and All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu, former Hurricanes players now with the Auckland-based franchise.

Tickets for the February 1 match are available from Tui HQ and PGG Wrightson and Bottle-O stores in the Wairarapa or via www.tui.co.nz