Northland town scores All Blacks bench

Rugby star Rieko Ioane thrilled fans in Kaikohe when he touched down to unveil a specially designed bench from the All Blacks.

A great turnout at Memorial Park on Sunday welcomed the Blues centre, who said the community was part of the “extended All Blacks bench” and the gift to the town was to thank rugby supporters ahead of this year’s world cup.

It is one of 26 benches presented by the All Blacks to communities around the country, featuring the exclusive All Blacks tohu and a message from the team: Me eke mai – our bench is your bench. Thanks for all your support.

Far North District Council Kahika Moko Tepania, with local iwi, welcomed the star player to the unveiling ceremony and told the crowd how special it was that Kaikohe was selected to receive the All Blacks bench.

“If you think of how many towns there are in the whole of New Zealand and Kaikohe was chosen as one of those 26 - that is a huge honour for this community,” he said.

Ioane, whose grandparents live in Kaikohe and where he spent much of his childhood, explained how on the rugby field, the bench was the backbone of the team, and off the field, it was a place for people to come together and connect.  

“The stronger our bench is, the stronger our team is. We're extending our bench to say thank you for all your support,” Ioane told the gathering.

He said that support holds even greater importance this year as the team heads to France in September for the world cup.

“Our bench extends well beyond our eight subs sitting on the field. To feel New Zealand on our bench when we jump on that plane to France – that’s all we need.”

Chicky Rudkin and Tanya Filia from the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board were also in attendance while junior rugby players, and families just out enjoying the sunshine, were delighted to rub shoulders with the star, who spent time sitting on the bench with fans to sign cards, shirts, rugby balls, and boots.

Memorial Park was chosen as the ideal location for the bench as it fitted in well with the park's recent upgrade.

Main Photo: Rieko Ioane meets some future All Blacks from Taheke United JMB Rugby.

Below: Far North District Council Kahika Moko Tepania with All Blacks and Blues favourite Rieko Ioane on the supporters bench.