NZDF Academy team member Private Jeremy Bush from Burnham during the match on Wednesday against the French Armed Forces New Caledonian team. (OH 08-0763-07tn).
31 October 2008
It will be an all New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) final in the Pacific Nations Military Rugby Tournament when the NZDF senior team faces the NZDF Academy team at Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt on Saturday 1 November.
Over the past week defence force rugby teams from Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga have played each other in a series of round robin matches.
The battle for the Shield final (third and fourth place) will take place between the Australian Defence Force and Tongan Defence Service. The Plate final (fifth and sixth place) will see Papua New Guinean Defence Force team playing against the French Armed Forces New Caledonian team.
“The Pacific flavour of the tournament is a key ingredient and provides the opportunity for us to learn more about each other’s cultures and militaries,” said the Chairman of NZDF Rugby Air Commodore Peter Stockwell.
“All tournament matches so far have been played with true Pacific passion and flair and I’m sure the final games will provide some very exciting rugby,” he said.
The inaugural Pacific Nations Military Rugby Cup in 2006 was hosted by the Australian Defence Force. After the tournament the participating nations’ Defence Force Chiefs decided to hold a similar tournament biennially, with New Zealand and Australia hosting the tournament alternately.
ENDS
Editor’s note: Times for the games on 1 Nov:
1100 - PNGDF vs FANC
1300 - ADF vs TDS
1500 - NZDF vs NZDF AC
For further information please contact Ally Clelland, Defence Public Relations on 04 496 0273 or 021 569 130.