Lizard News JANUARY 2023
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Inspiring visit from World champions
By Matthew Farrell f all the places in New Zealand, the champion Black Ferns kicked off a pre-Christmas Thank You Aotearoa nationwide tour in Ōmokoroa to the delight of fans. Kids of all generations turned up to greet their heroines on Monday 5th December, weeks on from their historic Rugby World Cup victory over England in Auckland. Public events, including a reception at
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Parliament in Wellington, skills and drills, street parades, and meet and greets started with a photo opportunity and signing session as part of the Rippa Rugby Finals Night at Western Avenue Sports Ground. A trio of Bay of Plenty Volcanix players Luka Connor, Santo Taumata, and Renee Wickliffe were joined by their Chiefs teammate Ruby Tūī and Blues midfielder Theresa Fitzpatrick. Luka says they have been blown away
by the awesome amount of support from a fan base that grew throughout the tournament, and they’re now being recognised in the street. The Black Ferns will now be printed as a set of Weetbix cards, which Luka says would be a dream for any player growing up. Ruby Tūī was absolutely swamped by children - being asked to sign foreheads, forearms, plaster casts, crocs, balls, and photos. “They are being generous to me,” Ruby says.
Another Volcanix player, Phoenix Pāniora, was there with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union for the Rippa and says they’d applied to have the Black Ferns visit. “We’ve had such a good turnout of kids. It’s great for the younger generation to see them in person; it’s good for rugby in general. We are pretty lucky to have them here on such a big night for the kids. It’s made the finals a bit more exciting,” says Phoenix. PHOTO: Andrew McWilliam.