Taranaki Rugby has announced that the Yarrows Centenary Match between the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls and the Wellington Lions at the Manaia Domain this Saturday has sold out.
The Yarrows Centenary Match will commemorate Taranaki Rugby Principal Partner Yarrows the Bakers who celebrate 100 years of business in 2023. Yarrows the Bakers was founded in Manaia back in 1923 by Alfred and Grace Yarrow and has been an integral part of the Manaia community ever since.
The game in the Bread Capital has attracted 2,500 fans from across Taranaki and beyond and will see Manaia’s population triple on Saturday.
Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Mike Sandle said: “The Yarrows Centenary Match has seen unprecedented demand for tickets and commemorative Taranaki Rugby x Waimate Buffalos jerseys which shows Yarrows and rugby in rural Taranaki holds a special place. The long-range weather forecast is positive for what is going to be a very special day in the Bread Capital celebrating an iconic brand raise the bat.”
Saturday’s match will be particularly memorable for Yarrows Taranaki Bulls squad members Jesse Parete and Meihana Grindlay who call Manaia home.
Meihana Grindlay is Manaia through and through, he played rugby for Manaia as a junior, his mother is employed at Yarrows the Bakers and his father has worked at Manaia Primary School.
Grindlay said: “I am super excited to be back playing on a ground that holds so many special memories for me especially in front of a big home crowd full of whanau and friends. A perfect way to celebrate Yarrows the Bakers centenary and honour them for their commitment to Manaia and Taranaki.”
The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls will celebrate the Yarrows Centenary Match with a Waimate Buffaloes-inspired Canterbury of New Zealand commemorative jersey. The Manaia Domain was home to the Waimate club up until they merged with the Hawera and Athletic clubs to form Southern in 1994.
Fans have a final opportunity to purchase a cotton replica jersey by emailing member@trfu.co.nz with their size before 9am Monday July 31. Jerseys have a 10-week delivery.
The large majority of playing jerseys from the Yarrows Centenary Match will be made available for fans to purchase on Trade Me following the match.
Taranaki Rugby plan to live stream the Yarrows Centenary Match through the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Facebook page and the TRFU You Tube account.
