Support Waikato by donning red, yellow, black tomorrow

OLÉ, OLÉ, OLÉ ... Mooloo Kid Melanie Weal, above in the thick of the action (front centre) with star Waikato centre Richard Kahui (centre), lock Mark Burman and wing/fullback Jared Payne, and below, doing her bit for the Waikato team.

Chance to repeat Mooloo’s only NPC title of 14 years ago on Saturday night

By Colin Thorsen

There is a chance for Mooloo fans of all ages to pack in behind their team’s bid for a second NPC title.

Courier staff are entering into the spirit by dressing up in Waikato colours tomorrow. They challenge other businesses, schools and Mooloo fans in general to do likewise.

Waikato’s younger generations will get a rare opportunity to witness a Mooloo parade in Hamilton this Saturday. The parade, featuring a variety of floats, will celebrate the Waikato rugby team making the Air New Zealand Cup final against Wellington. It kicks off at 2pm down Hamilton’s main street, Victoria Street, on the day of the game. Mooloo parades have traditionally been held in conjunction with Ranfurly Shield defences.

The Waikato team to play Wellington (named today) is likely to include six players affiliated to Te Awamutu Sports Club, captain Steven Bates, Jono Gibbes, Nathan White, Sam Biddles, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Sione Lauaki. Lock Toby Lynn also has Rosetown connections, being a former Te Awamutu Gwynne Shield representative.

Waikato recorded their one and only victory in an NPC division one final, thumping Otago 40-5 at Rugby Park in Hamilton in 1992. This year they did the same to Otago in the semi-final, winning 44-15 at Waikato Stadium.

The clash between Waikato and Wellington, two sides that have never before met in an NPC final, promises to be an epic encounter. Both line-ups possess tough, uncompromising forward packs and sensational backlines capable of scoring tries from anywhere on the paddock.

Waikato have made an NPC final on three previous occasions for the one triumph, while Wellington also have one title from four final appearances. Their championship success came in 2000 with victory over Canterbury.

Win or lose, Waikato’s outstanding showing this season is a good omen for the Chiefs’ 2007 Super 14 campaign.

Pekerau School student Melanie Weal (10) will be involved in the pre-match entertainment at Waikato Stadium. She is one of this season’s Mooloo kids, who practice their drills every Wednesday night. Melanie was a member of the Pekerau team who won the Year 5 section of the Waikato Southern Zone Rippa Rugby tournament at Kihikihi Domain last month.

“Being one of the Mooloo Kids is an awesome experience,” says Melanie. “Sometimes we get to practise our dances in one of the changing rooms at Waikato Stadium and get to see the Waikato players working out or having massages. I always like getting to practises early so I get to see what’s going on.”

It has been just as big a thrill for her younger brother Brandon (8), who attends all Melanie’s practises.

Messages of support can be sent to the Waikato team this week via fax 07-838-9911 or email support via www.mooloo.co.nz . Match ticket details are also available on the website or by phoning 0800 GOMOOLOO (466-665). Be in quick, they are apparently selling fast.