Rugby for Life fundraiser draws crowds
The Rumble in Russell, a charity event supporting Rugby for Life, recently saw politicians face off against a Northland invitational team, the Russell Penguins. The event, which included former All Blacks and media personalities, has become a significant fixture in Northland’s sporting calendar since its inception two years ago. This year’s gathering attracted nearly 1200 attendees to the Russell Sports Club.
Peter Stuart, president of the Russell Sports Club, highlighted the event’s importance for the small community, noting that 250 of Russell’s 1000 permanent residents are club members. He emphasised the significance of hosting the Parliamentary Rugby Team and the large turnout from the grassroots level.
The Russell Penguins, captained by former All Black Taine Randell and coached by Ian “Kamo Kid” Jones, ultimately secured a 22-10 victory over the parliamentary side, retaining the Graham Thorn Cup. Randell expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting the limited scrums and line-outs in the game’s rules led to more running.
Parliamentary team faces challenges and injuries
The Parliamentary Rugby Team, captained by Local Government Minister Simon Watts, faced a challenging match. Watts humorously stated that the main criteria for joining his squad were the ability to walk unaided and no hip operation in the past six months, given the team’s average age. He also shared his personal strategy for the game: passing the ball quickly.
Despite the competitive nature of the match, the event is primarily a fundraiser and an opportunity for community engagement. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell, a member of the parliamentary team, sustained injuries during the game, breaking two ribs. Mitchell was back in Wellington by Monday, having travelled from the capital after flights were cancelled due to adverse weather, forcing the entire squad to travel by bus.
Other parliamentary members also participated, with Northland MP Grant McCallum making a brief appearance despite not having played serious rugby since 1991. Fisheries and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones watched from the sidelines due to an injury sustained in the warm-up, but his son, brother, and two nephews played for the Parliamentarians.
Andrew Saville, a sports presenter, also participated for the Russell squad. He noted the appeal of being able to legally tackle a politician.
Netball match and future events
The event also featured a netball match between Parliament’s Parly Ferns and a Russell invitational side. The local team won the Dame Jenny Shipley Cup with a final score of 53-19. Tukituki MP and Parly Ferns captain Catherine Wedd acknowledged the local team’s strong performance, highlighting the importance of seeing women in sport and leadership.
The Rumble in Russell is held every two years, a schedule attributed to the time it takes for participants to recover and commit to playing again. The next event is scheduled for 2028, offering the Parliamentarians another opportunity to compete for the cup. Taine Randell, who is standing in an upcoming election, noted he could potentially be eligible for both teams in 2028, but expressed a preference for the Russell Penguins.
Riki Kinnaird, deputy chairman of Rugby for Life, stated that the charity aims to foster community growth through sport and that the event is as much about fun and bringing people together as it is about fundraising. Former All Black Grahame Thorne, who debuted for Russell in 1963, also contributed to the event by lending his name to the trophy and presenting jerseys.
The Russell Penguins derive their name from Kororāreka, the town’s original name, which translates to ‘sweet penguin’.
Source: rnz.co.nz
