Tag: rugby

Updated:12/05/2019 01: 23h

save

The Classic All Blacks they will face the Spanish rugby team the next May 29, in a friendly match for charitable purposes in which they hope to bring to Spain the "values" of this sport and take to the chosen stage, the Metropolitan, to a "new level" with its traditional 'haka', before an opponent who has "greatly improved in recent years."

The team formed by big stars already removed from New Zealand or that they are still active but not internationally and the 'XV del León' will face each other in the fief of the Athletic for the first time, in a match where part of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the project 'Rugby free' of the Spanish international Patricia Garcia and which aims to promote rugby and its values ​​as a means of social education in groups at risk of exclusion.

«For us it means a lot to come here. In fact, it means everything. The values ​​of rugby, passion and respect, being able to bring rugby to Spain. With the 'hakas' we will take this stadium to a new level. We believe that in May it will be perfect to be able to do our ritual here, ”said the wing Joe Rocokoco and the third line Chris Masoe, two of the players confirmed in the presentation of the game by the promoter 'Kiwi House'.

The rugby values

«One of the values ​​of rugby is the family, the world is our global family in that sense. That is why it is so important for us to help in this cause, to help less favored people, less fortunate than us. We really want to start the game to help this cause, ”explained the two 'All Blacks'.

The former players, who define this sport as "passion, family, respect and humility", want to invite all people, connoisseurs of rugby or not, to go "in family" to this charity match, in which they will try to "directly transmit the values". "We will give a lot of entertainment and ensure that the 80 minutes that we will be playing will leave the best of us on the pitch," they explained.

«I have followed Spain in the last two years and they have improved a lot and on May 29 we will bring rugby here and hope it will serve as inspiration. We are going to see great individual players, and we are going to do what I call champagne rugby, entertainment and enjoyment, ”they added.

Finally, Masoe and Rokocoko confessed that they are faithful followers of the spanish soccer league since the last few years, although they did not dare to pronounce on their "favorite" team. "We know that Spaniards are very passionate, so let's say we like them all," they said.

For its part, the Spanish team of XV finished in 16th place last season, the best place in its history, and will try to take advantage of the "opportunity" to play against the "idols of rugby" to "make visible" this sport. «It is a very important match for us. They are idols worldwide, they will be legends for what they did, ”said the captain Fernando Lopez

«There is a good vibe among the players. That it is played in Spain is very important for rugby to begin to become more known, because here it is not so much. In addition, the sale of tickets comes very well so you will feel the warmth of the people. Rugby is something that always tries to contribute a grain of sand, everywhere, ”he said.

In addition, the Argentine-born player considered the Metropolitan a "perfect scenario" to play this game, since it is "freshly made", and with many "chances of filling up." "I think that people are going to welcome us well, people are increasingly enjoying rugby, they are getting to know it and I think that the national team is leaving Spain in a better place every year," he said.