Piece of Eden for Rodney

RUGBY MAD: Kyle, Grace and Joshua Hilliam of Orewa have their own piece of Eden Park, the Panasonic tryline.

A rugby mad Orewa family have their own piece of Eden Park.

The Hilliam family saw a television item about Eden Park's makeover and the old turf up for sale.

Dad Robert rang Eden Park to see if they could buy a piece for $4 a metre, but it was almost all gone.

"But they said we could have a small piece and the guy actually lived in Whangaparaoa and dropped it off to us," he says.

That little piece ended up being one of the most significant patches of turf - part of the tryline from the Panasonic stand end, complete with painted line.

"Some people just wanted some cheap grass, we wanted a bit as a memento - the kids love rugby," Robert says.

"When the Rugby World Cup 2011 is on we'll stand on our piece of Eden Park and watch the match on TV."

Kyle, 13, plays rugby for Silverdale, mainly as a hooker. He has been in the J2 representative team and North Harbour under 45kg under-13 team.

Joshua, 11, is a first five for Silverdale and was a Silverdale representative in the J4 grade.

Grace, 8, used to play rippa rugby for Silverdale.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to bring a piece of Eden Park, the host of the Rugby World Cup, to Rodney," says Mr Hilliam.

- © Fairfax NZ News