RWC encouraging grass roots rugby

video here - http://www.3news.co.nz/RWC-encouraging-grass-roots-rugby/tabid/317/articleID/226279/Default.aspx

After the last Rugby World Cup in 2007, the number of people playing the game in host nation France leapt by 30 percent.
So, a programme is underway here to maximise the long-term benefits of hosting this RWC and it is luring all sorts from as far afield as Milwaukee.
The video shows this is the closest the Johnsonville Cripples get to a warm-up and it is much the same for their American opposition.
It is not the RWC and the horse-poo-dotted paddock bares little resemblance to Eden Park.
But it is grassroots Kiwi footie at its best and it is on show for international visitors and to boost interest here in New Zealand.
Cripples captain Perry ‘The Poo’ Barber says it is not often their competition can play in an environment like they are.
“We've a lot of kids, a lot of families, lot of horses, lot of kids and bikes and stuff cruising round.”
It is the Milwaukee team's third game of its tour their but first out in the sticks.
It is not just the tiny goalposts, there is also remnants of pony club to contend with and anyone who outruns the try zone risks ending up in the drink.
There is one other point of difference here – Sarah Thomas was ‘man of the match’ in their opening game.
“I took out one of their old boys a few times, I think they've been ribbing him a lot.”
Former All Black great Andy Leslie is one of several big names driving the legacy programme.
“If this tournament encourages two or three kids to kick a ball around, whatever the shape of the ball, that's great.”
He says things have changed since his day.
“There are wonderful opportunities, I would have loved to have played the game and got paid for m hobby.”
But for this lot, just rewards will be a couple of beers and a hangi down the road in a woolshed.
3 News


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