Mooloo men ready to relive that glory day

By WYNNE GRAY

A gleaming group of Waikato rugby talent will gather in Hamilton this weekend to celebrate the province's solitary NPC title earned a decade ago.

Most of the class of '92 will start their reunion festivities today, watch Waikato play Auckland tomorrow at a transformed Rugby Park then attend a celebration dinner.

Chiefs coach Kevin Greene was in charge of the NPC side, All Blacks coach John Mitchell was his captain and current NPC coach Ian Foster was his first five-eighths.

Mooloo men expected include Greene, Mitchell, Foster, Andrew Strawbridge, Matthew Cooper, Duane Monkley, Richard Jerram, Steve Gordon, Brent Anderson, Graham Purvis and Richard Loe.

Ten years ago, Waikato demolished Otago 40-5 in the early-October final at Hamilton.

Otago captain Mike Brewer was so distressed he could not be persuaded to come out of the dressing room to talk to the media.

But there was a far larger furore about to explode.

Television footage showed Waikato prop Loe eye-gouging current Otago co-coach Greg Cooper, a clash which forced Cooper from the field and ended with Loe receiving a lengthy suspension.