Andrew Hore
The Highlanders will go back to the heartland next week.
The entire squad will be based in the Maniototo for three
days, and the players will be staying with farming families.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the players would mingle
with the community and the families.
''We are going back to Horey's [captain Andrew Hore] home
town. We are doing some things with the local school there.
''They have had a bad run there ... so we want to lift
spirits,'' Joseph said.
''The players will be going to training on the school bus.
That is going to be an experience for them.
''You think about the families billeting the likes of Brad
Thorn and Ma'afu Fia and the sort of different cultures they
come from. When was the last time you got billeted as a rugby
team?
''I quite like to do something a bit different. We're from a
small community, a farming community, so everyone who comes
down south needs to have a bit of experience of that.''
The Highlanders have a bye next week after starting the
competition with a match against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr
Stadium tomorrow night.
Hore, the captain of the Highlanders, is sitting out tomorrow
night's game, because of a suspension, but has had plenty on
his plate this week, having just become a father.
Tyrell James Hore was born earlier this week, and baby and
mother - Hore's fiancee, Frankie Lister - are both doing
well.
Tyrell weighed in at just over 4kg, about 9lb in the old
measurements.
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