Rugby: Pre-season match scheduled for Kaitake

Taranaki Rugby

Photo: Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Jimmy Fastier, Kaitake Rugby Club Chair Jono White and Taranaki Rugby Academy Manager and Ōakura local Teihorangi Walden at Corbett Park, Ōakura - home of the Kaitake Community Sports Hub.

The newly renovated Kaitake Community Sports Hub is set to host a blockbuster Yarrows Taranaki Bulls NPC preseason match.

The match against the Wellington Lions, dubbed the “ Battle at the Beach” will be played at Corbett Park on the afternoon of Friday 24 July.

Following sold-out Manaia preseason fixtures with Principal Partner Yarrows the Bakers in 2023 and 2025 and the Firstgas Urenui Showdown in 2024, the TRFU have committed to taking another match to a township that does not host topflight club rugby, let alone provincial rugby.

Corbett Park is home to the Kaitake Rugby Club, the club was established in 1894 and recently won CMK Division 2 titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The club is also home to a thriving junior rugby programme and is proud to be the junior club of Ricky Riccitelli and Teihorangi Walden.

To celebrate the Corbett Park match, the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls will don a Canterbury of New Zealand inspired blue and black Kaitake strip. Cotton replica jerseys are available to pre order HERE and the playing jerseys from the match will be auctioned off post-game.

The event will acknowledge Kaitake local David Jennings who passed away in September 2025, aged 90.

David and his late wife Jennifer lived in the Omata and Ōakura district for six decades. Jennings was a strong supporter of Amber & Black rugby and the recent Kaitake Community Sports Hub upgrade.

David was the Kaitake Rugby Club Treasurer and a junior coach in the 1960s and 1970s and the Spotswood College 1 st XV coach from 1977-1982. The 1978 1 st XV was the most successful in the school’s history with a 17 win, 3 loss and 1 draw record.

The clubrooms at Corbett Park will be renamed the David Jennings Lounge for the match day to recognise David’s contribution.

TRFU Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Fastier was thrilled to announce the Kaitake fixture.

“Kaitake has a rich rugby history. The village have got right behind the recent Corbett Park renovations and hosting a Yarrows Taranaki Bulls match in their backyard will be a great way for the local community to celebrate the upgrade.

“Taking an annual preseason match to a small Taranaki town aligns with our vision of creating memorable experiences for the region.”

Kaitake Rugby Club Chairperson Jono White said hosting the match day would give local youngsters the chance to meet some of their idols.

“We’ve got a growing junior club here at Kaitake. I think there are some future Yarrows Taranaki Bulls players running around in Kaitake colours at the moment, and an experience like this will inspire our juniors. 

“The revamp of the Kaitake Community Sports Hub has created a meeting point in our community, so it is awesome to host such a special event and reward all those whose hard work and donations helped bring it to life.”

Tickets for the “Battle at the Beach” will go on sale in the coming weeks. General Admission Adult tickets will be $20, and General Admission Child tickets will be $10.

Due to the limited venue capacity, Taranaki Rugby is encouraging locals and Amber & Black fans to purchase tickets early, so they don’t miss out. Transport and parking plans for the event will be communicated with ticket holders closer to match day.

Limited corporate hospitality packages will be available. Avoid disappointment and secure your space to be a part of history when the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls run out onto Corbett Park.