If you’re anything like us, you no doubt got to the end of the RWC 2011 final with very few fingernails and an oversupply of stress! Still, what an amazing finish to a brilliant World Cup.

Now we’ve almost recovered, we’re busy working on two things: sorting through the hundreds of colouring competition entries, and putting together a commemorative pack. More details to come here soon, but in the meantime, remember Five Men Standing makes the perfect Christmas gift for the delirious Rugby fan in your life!

The Greytown Rugby Festival is on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’ll be doing some Five Men Standing demos somewhere in there (still locking down times) and the festival itself looks like it’ll be brilliant!

On Friday 7th at 9am there will be a parade of the Greytown Junior Players and an Interschool 7′s tournament following at 9.30am.

On Saturday 8th the Greytown Clubrooms are open at 12 midday to view history of Greytown Rugby and there will be a married v singles game at 2.20pm, a ticketed hangi (at 5pm) with big games screening from 6pm. Finger food & spot prizes and the bar will be open.

On Sunday 9th clubrooms will again be open at 12 midday to view history of Greytown Rugby and there will be a Golden Oldies’ Tournament at 1.30pm, prize giving & raffles at 4pm, ticketed Sunday Roast at 5pm, with big games on the big screen from 6pm.

For more details please contact Neil Morison on 06 304 8667 or on 0272549751, email: nwmorison@gmail.com

As one half of the creators of Five Men Standing, we’re based in Carterton. It’s a small place, but it’s amazing what you see out the window of our house: there’s been a hovercraft, snow, an army helicopter, and last Friday… three All Blacks!

Yes, Cory Jane, Victor Vito and Sam Whitelock came visiting. And they were fantastic: friendly, enthusiastic, well-spoken and most importantly, completely ready to leap into activities with the kids! Whether it was ref-ing ripper rugby, running drills, or convincing a whole bunch of kids to rush the tackle-bag holder and drag him to the ground, they brought an excitement and good humour that was contagious.

They signed hundreds of autographs in the park, and then headed to the Arts Centre for another 90 minute session of more signing and photos, not stopping until the massive queues had finally dissipated.

All three were funny and approachable, and it was a brilliant return for rugby to grass-roots support. There were swarms of ecstatic kids who won’t forget the day they got to meet their heroes face to face, a very pleased 99 year-old who got some special attention, and proud parents who had photos taken with their babies who’ll be the next generation of supporters.

It was a fantastic day for Carterton, both for rugby fans and for the community in general. The bitter early morning rain was a little daunting for the many supporters who turned up at 6.30 am, but with the arrival of the All Blacks, the skies cleared and spirits lifted and smiles abounded and much fun was had. Hurrah!

And of course, Cory, Victor and Sam were presented with an “invented in Carterton” memento: copies of Five Men Standing. Seriously, it was just a way of saying thanks, and the fact I got to have a photo with them WAS ENTIRELY NOT THE POINT, OKAY? Ahem. (Many thanks to Helen for taking the pic!)

Anyway, they also signed two games for local rugby clubs to use as fundraisers, which again is awesome.

All right, I’ll end here with a few more photos. Roll on RWC 2011, and go the ABs!!

Continue reading “All Blacks in Carterton!” »

We’ve just launched a colouring competition!

More details can be found under the Competitions menu item above.

Last Saturday’s Times Age had an article on our boardgame making exploits, featuring Five Men Standing!

You can read it here.