New Zealand faced off against Australia in Saturday’s Waitangi Day rugby union match at the Katherine town oval.
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The ‘Wannabes’ verses the ‘Old Blacks’ game has been a yearly fixture in Katherine for 30 years.
‘Golden oldies’ rules were enforced with the majority of players over the age of 35.
Patrick Carmody from the Australian side said he was one of the original players and organisers of the event.
“There is great camaraderie, the match is about fun, fraternity and friendship,” Mr Carmody said.
‘It’s all played in fairness and fun, everyone looks after each other, but there is often an unforeseen injury.”
Stephen ‘Cactus’ Vellor representing the Kiwi’s said the rules insist there is never a winner, it must be a draw every year.
“It’s always a really good day and a great social event,” Mr Vellor said.
‘It brings a bit of Kiwi to the NT.”
The teams played quarters rather than halves, with a constant rotation of substitutes to keep the boys fresh on the field.
Friendly feuds that erupted during play, were quickly forgotten as beer flowed freely and spectators enjoyed a traditional New Zealand hangi after the match.
More than 50 Katherine players and spectators will fly to Christchurch next year to participate in the ‘Golden Oldies’ Rugby World Cup with 25 other nations.