All Blacks roadshow rolls into Queenstown

Inflatable rugby challenges for children and adults at the 2008 MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow....
Inflatable rugby challenges for children and adults at the 2008 MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow. Photo from Getty Images.
Charging along a "10-pin bowling alley" attached to a horizontal bungy trying to beat your mate to score a pushover try may seem like kids play, but organisers of the All Blacks Roadshow say that and several other rugby-themed games are aimed at grown-ups.

The MasterCard-sponsored roadshow, which will be in Queenstown on Sunday, has been visiting cities and towns around New Zealand and has drawn huge crowds, with about 1300 people attending its stop in Oamaru.

Enormous inflatable rugby challenges - some of the biggest ever seen in this country - will be towed by an Iveco Stralis truck in a massive 13m tri-axle trailer unit, which also contains a 40sq m foldout stage.

Taking about three hours to erect, the roadshow is the single largest investment behind MasterCard's sponsorship of the All Blacks during its six-year collaboration with the New Zealand rugby union and also gives visitors the chance to test themselves in a series of challenges.

Kirk MacGibbon, of Professional Public Relations, said the challenges included a line-out throwing competition at three different heights, a goal-kicking challenge and the chance to "test yourself under the high ball".

Mr MacGibbon said a ball was shot into the air with participants aiming to catch it.

Fans will also be able to place themselves in the thick of a priceless All Blacks moment by getting their picture taken and also having their image inserted into an All Blacks shot via green screen technology.

Fans can keep an eye on how they are faring against their rugby heroes and others around the country by visiting www.mastercardroadshow.co.nz, which includes leader boards, roadshow news and an interactive game featuring injured All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Aside from the fun, frivolity and intense competition, the roadshow was also an opportunity for rugby supporters at the grass-roots level to meet their All Blacks heroes.

While MasterCard brought back Buck Shelford in Dunedin, Otago and All Blacks loose forward Arran Pene, who was preferred as the test No 8 during 1992-93 seasons ahead of Zinzan Brooke, will fill the role in Queenstown.

At 1.91m tall and weighing in at 114kg, Pene was a hard-driving forward who made full use of his physique to break the advantage line.

He captained the New Zealand Maori in the 1993-94 seasons, playing eight matches, including a game against the British and Irish Lions and a four-game tour of South Africa.

In 1993, Pene was awarded the Tom French Cup as the season's outstanding Maori player.

The roadshow will be operating from 11am-3pm on Sunday.

 

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