Maori club side on track

Teachers Eastern are hoping the lure of the TV cameras will help them field an all-Maori team in this year's Auckland club competition.

The Herald on Sunday revealed last year that Maori playing numbers have been in decline for the last decade with less than 2000 of Auckland's 19,000 registered players from either Pakeha or Maori descent.

Teachers Eastern, whose Orakei Domain ground is on Ngati Whatau land, have been aware of the decline in Maori numbers for some time now and are looking to field a Maori Under-85kg team when club rugby kicks off in April.

Should they find enough numbers - approval has been granted by the local iwi, as well as the Auckland and New Zealand Rugby Unions - the team could be the subject of a reality TV show that will follow their fortunes.

The idea behind the show is to highlight the ups and downs, struggles and successes, as well as the social and cultural side of an all-Maori team.

Kirk Jennings, the club's rugby development officer whose father Arthur toured with the All Blacks in 1967, said the club opted to field a weight-restricted team as it is one of the most competitive and ethnically balanced grades in the province.

"It is important to emphasise," he said, "that we are not looking for rep players. This is a club side and we want middle of the road. The Auckland Rugby Union has championed our cause.

"We have Samoan and Tongan teams in Auckland, so why not a Maori team?"

- HERALD ON SUNDAY