The special fixture is a curtain raiser to the Bunnings NPC showdown between Northland and Auckland and the first appearance by the Classic All Blacks in New Zealand since the 2021 Ngāti Porou East Coast Centenary celebrations.
While many fans might not be familiar with the team, they have a celebrated international history.
The Classic All Blacks most recent tussle was in May 2022. Over 40,000 spectators flocked to the Wanda Metropolitano, home of football powerhouse Atletico Madrid, to watch a match against the Spain national side.
For three decades the Classic All Blacks were the biggest drawcard at the prestigious Bermuda World Rugby Classic. Classic President, John Kane recalled when Andy Haden passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2020;
“The Classic All Blacks first appearance in the World Rugby Classic was in 1989 and it was the result of an early morning (2am) phone call. In a strong Kiwi accent, I was told, as I woke from a deep sleep, “You can’t call it the World Rugby Classic if New Zealand is not represented!”
“Who is this calling at this unearthly hour” I managed to utter and was told, “This is the All Black Andy Haden.”
The invitation was immediately issued and an impressive team of All Blacks’ talent including Stu Wilison, Bernie Fraser, Bill Osborne, Murray Mexted, Mark Shaw, Andy Dalton and Haden as captain arrived in Bermuda for the second Classic. The All Blacks won their first of nine Classic titles at that 1989 tournament.
In 2011 the Classic All Blacks sold out Ballymore two weeks after the Christchurch earthquake and fundraised $700,000 for victims.
Two years later the side played Fiji as part of the Fiji Rugby Union's centennial anniversary and they came together against in 2015 to play Toulon at the Stade Mayol in a match to honour the late Jerry Collins.
Following Andy’s passing in 2020, the team and the brand were inherited by New Zealand Rugby who have brought Andy’s son, Chris Haden, into the fold to manage their relaunch.
“The Classic All Blacks can play a really special and important role in New Zealand Rugby, they’re an opportunity for players to reconnect with one another but also to connect with grassroots rugby communities around the country,” Haden said.
“The Northland Rugby Union has done some amazing work in the community space in recent years, and this match is a fantastic opportunity to share and celebrate that success.
“Beyond that I’m really excited by the opportunity to see the Classic All Blacks in emerging rugby nations, and to support the growth and development of the game around the world.”
An appetite both competitively and commercially exists for the Classic All Blacks in countries like Hong Kong, Portugal, Spain and Germany.
The September 15 fixture in Whangārei is set to be a blockbuster with the likes of Stephen Donald and John Afoa already confirmed in the Classic All Blacks roster. More household names are set to be released in the coming weeks.
For the Classic Taniwha former Northland captain Dean Budd, Lachie Munro, back from a distinguished decade in France, and former All Black centre Rene Ranger (after a tug of war with the opposition) are due to line up for hosts.
Attendance for children is free and the live commentary on Sky will feature familiar voices and special guests in an entertaining showcase. Get your tickets from https://www.northlandrugby.co.nz/