Waikohu’s Latrell Walker scores in the corner in the tackle of YMP’s Taine Aupouri in Poverty Bay premier club rugby last season. Waikohu will not field ia team in this year’s competition, reducing it to six clubs. Photo / Paul Rickard
The board of New Zealand Rugby, in a historic first, will sit in Gisborne in June as Poverty Bay makes its case to host a major fixture, such as a Māori All Blacks match or a Hurricanes pre-season game in 2026.
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union (PBRFU) chairman Hayden Swann said the board would be shown the redevelopment progress of the pitch, grandstand and other facilities at Rugby Park in the $12.5 million “shovel-ready” recovery project launched after Covid-19.
It was to Poverty Bay’s advantage two Tairawhiti men, Doug Jones and Greg Barclay, were on the NZR board, Swann said.
The board will be in Tairāwhiti at King’s Birthday Weekend, when it is Ngati Porou East Coast’s turn to host the traditional derby fixture with Poverty Bay.
Meanwhile, PBRFU council of clubs chairman Tim Lister has confirmed former Lee Bro Shield premier club champions Waikohu will step down to the Senior 1 grade this season.
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