One of the biggest rivalries in NPC Rugby will be making its way to east Auckland as Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) are set to host the ‘Battle of the Bombays’ between Auckland and Waikato in September.
Coined the ‘Backyard Blitz’, the Round 7 match is set to be the first in what will become a new look rugby and entertainment experience as Auckland Rugby plans to revolutionise its Bunnings Warehouse NPC home games.
The Backyard Blitz event is aimed at amplifying the fan experience, reaching new audiences and taking Bunnings Warehouse NPC matches out to Aucklanders.
“This is about taking NPC rugby away from the typical stadium environment and reaching Aucklanders throughout the region with a fresh and exciting fan experience,” says Auckland Rugby CEO Jarrod Bear.
“It’s a way for us to reach new audiences and amplify the typical match day programme with a festival-style atmosphere for fans of all ages to enjoy and where rugby is just one part of the overall experience. We thank Pakuranga United Rugby Club for their support of Backyard Blitz and for being such exceptional hosts”.
The club will be transformed with temporary seating, a beer garden, kid’s zone, live music and boot party as part of the festivities on Saturday, September 16.
Pakuranga United Rugby Club’s General Manager Mike Bongiovanni says it is a major coup for the club to host such a big match.
“We are incredibly excited for not only our rugby community but the wider east Auckland community to have some of the best players in the country playing right here in our own backyard.
“We have been privileged to host big events in the past with the World Masters Games and the World School Sevens, this will be another fantastic occasion and one we are sure will be passionately supported,” says Bongiovanni.
Pakuranga members will be invited to an exclusive meet and greet with the team the week of the match, while several other exciting initiatives are in the pipeline.
Tickets are limited and will go on sale on Wednesday, July 26, starting from $20 for adults, $10 for secondary school students and $5 for kids. Boot Party tickets are $40 but are strictly limited, so fans are encouraged to get in quick to avoid disappointment.
Visit the link https://aucklandrugby.flicket.co.nz/ to purchase tickets.
