Video: Hori BOP hits road for ITM Cup opener

Bay of Plenty rugby mascot Hori BOP will hitch-hike to Invercargill this week to catch the match between the Stags and the Steamers. PHOTO/JAMIE TROUGHTON

Bay of Plenty rugby mascot Hori BOP is celebrating the start of the ITM Cup rugby season with another hitch- hiking adventure.

Hori BOP, the alter-ego of Tauranga resident Terry Leaming, will hitch-hike 1500km to Invercargill to watch the upcoming Bay of Plenty match against Southland.

Bay of Plenty rugby mascot Hori BOP is celebrating the start of the ITM Cup rugby season with another marathon pilgrimage, hitch-hiking 1500km to Invercargill to catch Bay of Plenty's match against Southland on Friday night.

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The trip comes two years after a similar trip to Dunedin to support the Otago Rugby Union during its financial woes.

"A lot of people reckon the modern calendar started more than 2000 years ago but any true-blue Bay of Plenty supporter will tell you we're now in the year 10 - as in, 10 years since we won the Ranfurly Shield," he said.

Leaming has been keeping a nervous eye on the forecast, with a cold snap hitting the deep south this week.

"I haven't warn shoes for 20 years but I'm seriously considering ditching the jandals for the last leg of the trip. Luckily, a mate of mine - who happens to be Leicester Rutledge's cousin - came through with some ugg boots, so that should keep the toes from falling off in the snow."

Leaming said the ITM Cup meant so much to many people and hoped some of them would stop to pick him up in the next few days.

He will leave this morning, and hopes to arrive in Invercargill before kick-off at 7.35pm on Friday night.