Super rugby greats lace up boots again

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand Super Rugby history are dusting off their boots for a special match in Christchurch on Saturday night.

The Crusaders legends will play the Highlanders Legends in the 5.30pm curtainraiser to the main Super 14 match between the two franchises at the revamped AMI Stadium.

The Crusaders Legends features such players as Reuben Thorne, Richard Loe, Graeme Bachop and Caleb Ralph.

All have played massive parts for the Crusaders over the years and on Saturday they get to pull the boots on for the Red and Blacks against a Highlanders Legends team featuring the likes of John Leslie, Jamie Joseph, Kees Meeuws and Taine Randell.

Former Crusader Tabai Matson, Canterbury’s current assistant coach, has been one of the main organisers of the Legends match.

''The boys have been training hard for the past month. Collectively they have managed to lose 100kg! It has motivated a lot of people to get back in shape to get on the big stage again,'' Matson said.

Crusaders Legends: Kevin Nepia, Stu Loe, Dave Hewett, Richard Loe, Sean Cuttence, Steve Lancaster, Adam Parker, Dan Charteris, Reuben Thorne, Steve Surridge, Sam Broomhall, Scott Robertson, Clark McLeod, Greg Smith, Aaron Flynn, Graeme Bachop, Daryl Lilly, Greg Coffey, Blair Feeny, Scott Hansen, Nathan Mauger, Tabai Matson, Caleb Ralph, Tony Marsh, Paula Bale, Jason Tiatia, Hamish Coakley, James Kerr, Jason Mathie, Brad Fleming, Afato So’oalo, Angus Gardiner, Matt Sexton.

Highlanders Legends: John Leslie (c), Rob Lawton, Brian Lima, John Campbell, Justin Cullen, Jeremy Stanley, Stu Harvey, Andre Bell, Jamie Joseph, Lio Falaniko, Mike Mika, Tony McEwan, To’o Vaega, Pailate Fili, Nick Moore, Kees Meeuws, Paul Cooke, Stephen Bachop, Taine Randell, Reuben Parkinson, Romi Ropati, Tony Hunt, Pita Alatini, Brendan Laney

- © Fairfax NZ News

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James   #20   09:32 am Feb 11 2010

Jamie Joseph didn't even play Super rugby

Chris   #19   11:55 pm Feb 10 2010

Awesome idea !

Yeah so some of these guys werent super 12/14 legends but who cares !

Great to see Paula Bale, Richard Loe, Stu Harvey (played for the stags in the mid-late 90s), the bachops, brian lima and all the other old school fullas there

Also good on tabai matson for organising this, its a thankless task organising these type of events ut hes pulled together some great players

Wonder how many scraps richard loe will get into ? I reckon 3 !

Smoth   #18   04:15 pm Feb 10 2010

If you go don't be disappointed that you won't see Reuben Thorne. He will be there but you won't see hime. Just like you never did when he played for the All Blacks and they needed a leader.

Scotty   #17   03:56 pm Feb 10 2010

Some of these guys barely played Super 12 rugby. I thought Paul Cooke, Andre Bell, John Campbell etc didn't play Super 12 or must've only been right at the start.

The Claw   #16   03:33 pm Feb 10 2010

Kees Meeuws should pack down with the main Highlanders XV after he's done with this Legends game, imho.

The Wah   #15   01:35 pm Feb 10 2010

Highlanders legends will romp this home.

Good to see the Chiropractor (Brian Lima) playing again...

chris   #14   12:36 pm Feb 10 2010

Pretty sure Caleb has the record for most consecutive games in super rugby. Plus his multiple super titles....

What have you done for Canterbury rugby Gary?

Gutted I won't be there to watch it, hopefully there will be a live stream on the net, but not holding my breath...

Caleb   #13   12:31 pm Feb 10 2010

Caleb Ralph is a Crusaders legend, he has an aweful lot of tries by his name. He was the first Crusader to score 50 tries and he played 103 consecutive games for the Crusaders from 1999 to 2006.

muss   #12   12:05 pm Feb 10 2010

Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

Gary   #11   11:25 am Feb 10 2010

Paul #9, if that's what is considered a "Crusaders legend", I think I'll pass!!!

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