Last weekend’s Lochore Cup semifinal in Oamaru provided some halftime entertainment for a good cause.
Tony Hargood strolled out to the field at the break to line up a shot at goal as part of his nationwide tour to raise money for the New Zealand Rugby Foundation.
He is walking the length of the country and kicking a goal at all 26 of the country’s major rugby stadiums.
At the end of the tour, every ball he kicks will be donated to the foundation to be auctioned off.
The foundation works to ensure the message of safety first is paramount to all rugby players and provides lifetime emotional and financial support to those who are seriously injured in the sport.
Despite windy conditions that required one of the ball boys to hold the ball on the tee for him, Hargood knocked over the shot first at his first attemtpt.
He kicked off the tour in Invercargill at halftime of the Southland versus Tasman game at Rugby Park last month and had ticked off Forsyth Barr Stadium as well.
Hargood recently retired after 30 years as a player, coach, referee and rugby administrator, including 11 years as Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union chief executive. — Allied Media
