15 November 2011 7:00
Heroes Rugby Challenge set to be All-Black generation game
New Zealand All-Blacks Mehrtens, Marshall, Thomson, Willison & Thrush join southern hemisphere line-up in the Heroes Rugby Challenge
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Three generations of All Black rugby talent will form part of a Southern Hemisphere squad that will take to the field for the HeroesRugbyChallenge. The aim of the match is to raise a substantial sum of money for the Help for Heroes charity, which provides practical support for wounded service men and women.
This year’s fixture will mark the tenth anniversary of Britain’s Armed Forces Operations in Afghanistan. It promises to be an even bigger attraction than the first Help for Heroes match in 2008 when over 52,000 spectators helped raise £1.46m for Help for Heroes.
Rugby World Cup 2011 winner Adam Thomson, All Black rugby legends Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall, New Zealand Maori Jackson Willison and All Black Under-21 Jeremy Thrush will all line up for a Southern Hemisphere XV set to play against a Northern Hemisphere XV. The two teams will comprise of players selected from the northern and southern hemisphere professional game and the best players from the Armed Forces. The five kiwis join up with current All Black backs coach Wayne Smith who will be coaching the Southern Hemisphere XV.
Andrew Mehrtens, who was capped 70 times for the All Blacks at fly half, said: “I can’t wait to be back at Twickenham. It’s a very special place to play rugby and I look forward to lining up with young kiwi talent like Jeremy Thrush and Jackson Willison. I’ve played some significant matches at Twickenham over the years but this one is right up there. I’m very proud to be supporting the Heroes Rugby Challenge is and I urge rugby fans to do the same by buying a ticket and helping us pack out Twickenham on December 3rd”
Heroes Rugby Challenge supported by J.P. Morgan kicks off at 16:30 on Saturday 3 December 2011 at Twickenham Stadium. Ticket prices start at £15 for adults, £10 for under 16’s, and are available through Ticketmaster. For more information visit: www.heroesrugby.org.uk