Nelson College v Timaru Boys High to be Sky TV feature game

Nelson Mail

Calling all Nelson College old boys, and rugby fans. Your presence is required at school on Saturday afternoon.

Not for anything unpleasant, mind, but to cheer on the First XV in front of a national audience.

The team's match against Timaru Boys' High School this Saturday is being screened live on Sky TV's Rugby Channel, and the school is after a full house to throw its weight behind the team, and give a positive impression on the small screen.

Keith Quinn and Mark "Bull" Allen will be calling the match. A crew was in town last week to get footage for the buildup, and a tower will be erected to allow the cameras to pan back onto the school buildings.

Shane Drummond, a college old boy and rugby fan, is calling on everyone with a connection to the school, as well as general rugby fans, to help pack out the ground for the match, which could be crucial in helping to determine the semifinal lineup for the Press Cup competition.

Secondary school matches in Auckland have attracted up to 7000 fans.

He wasn't expecting that many, but hoped about 2000 would make the effort on Saturday.

The match was one of only a couple of South Island matches to be screened, and Drummond said a good crowd was crucial to help convince Sky they should return.

It was also an opportunity for everyone involved to put their best foot forward in front of the rugby watching public.

"It's a really good opportunity for a local referee to be exposed, because obviously without them the game doesn't continue, but that also gets them recognised.

"It gives these kids the opportunity to be recognised nationally.

"A few of them are already in current national squads.

"And Nelson College sits real high on the Press Cup table, and with the World Cup this year and the re-enactment game that's between Nelson College and Nelson ... . again it puts Nelson on the map."

While the exposure was great for the players involved, the screening would also be of benefit for the wider rugby community, Drummond said.

"It wouldn't have mattered if it was Nayland College or Waimea College to me, I'm just wanting to make sure it is a success for the Nelson community, and it may be that next year one of these other colleges gets the opportunity."

The school had sent an email to all its old boys about the match. The college's other teams were playing earlier in the day so those players could attend, and it was hoped the Tasman Makos would be able get along also.

"We just want as many as possible old boys and parents, supporters and the Nelson community to turn up and support us," Ray Hill, who is on the board of trustees, said.

"It's absolutely huge for the school to be on national television, and great exposure for the city of Nelson."

The match kicks off at the later time of 2.45pm, with coverage on the Rugby Channel beginning at 2.30pm, for those who want to record it and watch it when they get home.