8 October 2007
The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s rugby league team will play the Royal Air Force in Warrington later this month in a curtain raiser for the All Golds match against the Northern Union.
The fixture is part of a month-long reciprocal tour to Britain by the RNZAF following RAF league tours of New Zealand in 1997 and 2005. The last time the RNZAF toured Britain was in 1995.
RNZAF rugby league manager Squadron Leader Lawrence Field said the curtain raiser for the All Golds match on October 20 would be the highlight of the tour.
“It will be a great atmosphere for the guys. Everyone’s taking their camera in the hope that we will be able to meet the All Gold and Northern Union players after their match.”
The Air Force team left for England today to begin the tour, which will see them travel from London to RAF Base Lossiemouth in the North of Scotland.
They will play against the RAF team in the curtain raiser, as well as a RAF Scotland representative side, and the Myton Warriors league club during the tour.
All of the RNZAF players are paying their own way. They will return to New Zealand on October 31.
ENDS
For further information please contact James Heffield, Defence Public Relations, on 04 496 0286 or 021 676 338.