Over 60 of the Crusaders 2017 squad, including coaching and management staff, attended a brief informal hui at Te Whatu Manawa o Rehua Marae. Joe Moody (Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri) spoke on behalf of the manuhiri at the pōwhiri, thanking those in attendance from Rehua Marae, and connecting back with his Ngāi Tahu whakapapa.
Kaumātua, Ruawhitu Pokaia opened his whaikōrero with “Te kaupapa o te rā – whakawhanugatanga” and spoke of the importance of establishing this relationship, as well as the close proximity to the Crusaders Christchurch training ground, Rugby Park less than 2km away.
The visit marked the first steps in establishing a relationship with the local marae, and for some, was the first step they had ever taken onto a marae. Laughter and references to rival Super Rugby teams broke through the nerves within the first few minutes.
