A memorable week
Congratulations to Dean Paddy and his team of Mereana and Trina, together with support from Deidre Stanley (on Saturday night), for the great work they did on four consecutive days, culminating with the All Blacks v Australia test last Saturday.
Thanks also to Bryan Craies and Kevin Way for their valued support and contribution.
Last week began with a reception for the visiting 1960s Australian Wallabies and their wives on Wednesday night. The 1960s All Blacks and Wallabies had arranged a reunion of players from both teams, starting with an evening in the Baabaas club. The evening was hosted by President Bryan Williams.
On Thursday afternoon, participants from the Varsity luncheon retired to the Baabaas club as per previous years.
On Friday afternoon, similarly, participants from the NZ Rugby Foundation luncheon were invited to conclude their day in the Baabaas lounge.
Then, finally, test day. It began for Dean and his team at 3.00pm and concluded well after midnight.
Apart from the Wallaby reunion group, the numbers in the club were up to the maximum allowed and facilities and services were pushed to the limit. Dean and his team managed the four days extremely well and the pressure just as well.
The club is lucky to have such dedicated people whose interest is ‘to do a great job’. Thanks to each of you, on behalf of the club. Also assisting, behind the scenes, but helping to make things run smoothly, are Rebekah and Nev, our cleaners.
The clubrooms needed cleaning after each function and Rebekah and Nev came in late each night to make the rooms ready for each new day’s activities. Our thanks to Rebekah and Nev.
We must, though, finish with another ‘thank you’ to Dean and his team for the great job they did over the four days. The atmosphere and fellowship in the club was marvellous and not only did the four days produce an excellent financial return, they also brought members and guests from all parts of New Zealand together to a great environment and for a marvellous occasion.
Tom Johnson’s book launch
A reminder – a launch of Tom Johnson’s book Legends in Black is to be held on Thursday in the clubrooms.
The details are:
When – Thursday August 28
Time – 6.00pm
Where – NZ Barbarians clubrooms, Eden Park
We hope you will be able to attend and if you have someone interested in Tom’s book, bring a friend.
NZ Barbarians Area Schools
Another reminder – the NZ Barbarians Area Schools team plays the NZ Harlequins at Waikato Stadium on Wednesday.
The details are:
When – Wednesday August 27
Where – Waikato Stadium
When – 5.30pm
Auckland members of the club will be located in the West Stand and we have an invitation to meet in the Harlequins room before and after the game. We look forward to seeing you there.
Top 4 schools tourney in Rotorua
The qualifying rounds are now getting serous with only a couple of rounds to go to identify who will represent their franchise at the NZ Barbarians Top 4 schools boys and co-ed Tournament.
Results from last week have now identified the following games are to be played for schools to move to the next qualifying round.
Blues:
Boys – Auckland Grammar School v the winner of Westlake BHS/Whangarei BHS on August 26
Co-ed – Otahuhu College v Massey HS/Kaitaia College on August 26
Girls – Southern Cross Campus College
Chiefs:
Boys – Rotorua BHS v Hamilton BHS
Co-ed – Manurewa HS v Cambridge HS
Girls – (Hamilton GHS or Manurewa HS) v Opotiki College
Hurricanes: finals in Palmerston North on August 30
Boys – Scots College v Palmerston North BHS
Co-ed – Feilding HS v Tawa College
Girls – Feilding HS v St Catherine’s College
South Island:
Boys – Christchurch BHS v Otago BHS in Christchurch
Co-ed – St Kevin’s College v Burnside HS in Oamaru
Girls – Southland GHS
