Former All Black Matthew Cooper chats with ball boys Van Keech, Guy Newson, Reuben Eynon and Reeve Gray ahead of the game.
Veteran rugby commentator Nigel Yalden was in his element on Sunday.
And why not? Hamilton based Yalden just loves Heartland rugby and while hundreds were at the game, he was broadcasting on Sky to thousands around the country.
Yalden’s co-commentator was former Irish international Isaac Boss and both trace their rugby roots to heartlands.
Yalden is a die-hard Whanganui support – Boss, capped 22 times by Ireland, was born in Tokoroa.
So it was little wonder the pair were able to weave a tapestry of side stories into their commentaries and recognise faces in the crowd.
Yalden unashamedly called King Country’s dramatic 46-44 win in Te Kūiti the game of the season.
“Show me another game where you get two such positive teams, drama with a player injured, a fan in the stand needing medical assistance, teams exchanging tries, the ball hitting the top of the upright, a shot to win the game hitting the post and injuries mounting up?” he asked The News.
He was about to add “all that was missing was a red card” – but withdrew that because this was a game with such “wonderful elements” – a theatre with plot twist upon plot twist.
“It was a wonderful finale – and the respect between the two teams was so evident overt 100 minutes.”
Yalden also acknowledged the sporting behaviour of the two Coast players who realised Zac Wickham-Darlington was seriously injured in a tackle and immediately released him.
“You get that respect very much in the Heartland – it’s not professional – when a player goes down, it’s ACC job, players know and understand it – tinker, tailor, candlestick maker – they have to go work the following day.
It was also a momentous day for King Country coach Aarin Dunster, celebrating his 150th game for the province as a player and coach and celebrating a second Lochore Cup win – the first came in 2015.
And, appropriately, the match was watched by an appreciative crowd which included King Country legends and New Zealand Rugby dignitaries. And, on King Country’s social media page, the West Coast Rugby Union announced: “thanks for the game lads, and congrats on the win… we sure showed those folk at HQ that Heartland Rugby is a live a kicking!
Who could disagree?
Scorers: King Country: 46 (Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong, Leveson Gower, Cordy Nordstrom 2, Logan Patterson, Liam Rowlands tries; Patrick Hedley 5 con, 2 pens) West Coast: 44 (Troy Tauwhare, Jack Ray, Ben Alexander, Jacob Mitchell, Quinn Johnsen, Sean McClure tries; Jacob Waikari-Jones 4 cons, 2 pens,) HT: 17-15
