Former All Blacks flanker and New Zealand Maori and Auckland rugby legend Waka Nathan will be the official Ambassador for the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Rugby Legacy programme.
The appointment was revealed at the launch of the Rugby Legacy Programme at the Hutt Old Boys Marist rugby club in Lower Hutt today.
Nathan will be the public face of the NZRU’s Rugby Legacy programme designed to help drive more people to the sport and create better systems and infrastructure off the back of New Zealand’s hosting of RWC 2011.
Since 2009, the New Zealand Rugby Union has been working with Provincial Unions and other partners on a range of initiatives intended to deliver long lasting benefits for rugby.
The six Rugby Legacy initiatives are:
New Zealand Rugby Passport
Sign Your Jersey
Rippa World Cup tournament
National education programme
Pass the Ball relay
National Registration Drive and Trophy Tour
Nathan is seen as the ideal ambassador for the Legacy Programme, through his involvement at every level of the game from club through to Provincial, New Zealand Maori and All Blacks level.
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said Nathan embodies many of the traits that the programme is intended to foster and encourage.
"Waka is a loyal supporter of rugby and maintains his interest at every level. He is also widely recognised in the community and enjoys respect wherever he goes for his deeds on the field and his friendly and generous spirit off the field."
Nathan is honoured to play his part in helping to grow the sport he loves.
"Hosting RWC 2011 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone with an interest in rugby. More importantly, it’s a once in a lifetime chance to introduce a whole lot more people – especially young people – to the game," he said.
"I am honoured to be involved in this programme which, for me, is perhaps the most important thing that RWC 2011 can do for us by inspiring the next generation of young Kiwis to get involved in rugby."
BIOGRAPHY OF WAKA NATHAN
Biography – Waka Joseph Nathan
Waka Nathan was educated at Mangere Central Primary School (Auckland East Roller Mills team) and Otahuhu College, where he played in the First XV 1956-57. Hailing from the Otahuhu club, he made his debut for Auckland just before turning 19 in 1959 and toured the Pacific with the New Zealand Maori team that same year. Late in the 1960 season he scored a dramatic last-minute try for his province against Canterbury which fullback Mike Cormack converted to retain the Ranfurly Shield with a 19-18 win. A key member of the Auckland team during its then record breaking 1959-63 Ranfurly Shield tenure Nathan also appeared for New Zealand Maori again in 1960-61. His All Blacks debut came on the 1962 All Blacks tour of Australia where he appeared in both tests, and in all three when the Wallabies returned the visit later that season. Early in 1963 he played in both tests against England and was selected for 1963-64 British tour. After showing good form and playing the tests against Ireland and Wales he broke his jaw against Llanelli and was restricted to 15 tour matches. Despite this injury he scored 11 tries - the third highest total on the tour. A leg injury kept him out of rugby in the 1964 season and continued to plague him the following year, forcing him to withdraw from the team selected to play the first test against the 1965 Springboks, though he recovered to play for New Zealand Maori against the tourists. Fully fit, he appeared in the whole series against the 1966 Lions, scoring two tries in the third test. He toured Britain again after the 1967 jubilee test against Australia but suffered another broken jaw and played only six times, missing the test matches but playing in the prestigious end of tour match against the Barbarians. He retired after two more seasons of club rugby. In his 14 Internationals for the All Blacks Nathan, sometimes referred to as "the Black Panther," never played in a losing side. He was described by Colin Meads as "that most virile runner with the ball in hand, great at exerting pressure close to the forwards." During his All Blacks career he weighed around 14 1/2 stone and stood 5'11". After his playing days, he was a New Zealand Maori selector from 1971-77 and Manager of the New Zealand Maori team that toured Wales in 1982. He was President of the Auckland Rugby Football Union in 2003-04.