The over 50s rugby team that Grant Straker put together for the World Masters Games contains a handful of ex-international players and is expected to be highly competitive.
However, Grant, who lives in Arkles Bay, says his priority will be “having a run around with a bunch of mates” and enjoying the atmosphere of a big international event
The full team, which will play as the NZ Barbarians, only came together in recent weeks and so far training has consisted of “raising our elbows and talking strategy at the Grey Lynn RSA”.
As well as Grant, who has played rugby since he was five years old, the team includes ex-Manu Samoa players Eddie Ioane and Tu Nuualiitia, NZ Maori player Brett Iti and Kiwi League prop Francis Leota.
The team members are all aged between 50 and 55 but Grant is also hoping that his 74-year-old father, Don, who still plays Masters league, tag and touch, will take part.
He says the final positions have not yet been sorted – “We seem to have a lot of forwards – including backs that are now the size of forwards!” Grant says.
Most of the team are current social players and fairly fit which is important because the games are expected to be hard.
Assembling the team was a mission in itself and came about through Grant’s connections with Ponsonby Rugby Club where he used to play (recently he switched codes and now plays league for New Lynn with some friends).
“I was watching the sevens at the Olympics last year and caught up with Eddie Ioane and that’s where the idea began.”
He says they wanted to field an over 50s team because the younger grades, in their 30s and 40s, will have a lot of players to draw on and be very competitive. “Once you’re 50, you know you’re 50 and after five minutes on the field you know it for sure,” he says. “But we have put together a pretty good team.”
Although Grant says he was more competitive at Ironman competitions than rugby, he is a lifetime supporter of the game and loves being in a team.
“I played one Masters game for New Zealand versus Australia two years ago in the NZ Over 50s. We didn’t win, but it was an amazing experience. I think the Worlds will be all that and more.”
Games facts and figures
- The World Masters Games takes place April 21–30 at 48 venues, most in Auckland.
- When registration closed for most sports, on March 3, a total of 27,058 participants had registered to take part in the World Masters Games. This includes 24,261 athletes and 2797 supporters and officials.
- Some sports have no limit on capacity. Entries close March 31 for the following: athletics road races, cross country, cycling road race, cycling criterium, mountain bike, triathlon sprint and standard, open water swim.
- A total of 100 countries will be represented at the games.
