Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the envy of many. Les McLean was the first of the 20 players who have so far been selected for the All Blacks from Bay of Plenty. He played as a forward in the second and third tests against the 1921 Springboks – and at full-back against New South Wales in 1923. Bay of Plenty’s most capped All Black is Hika Reid. Hailing from Ngongotaha near Rotorua, Reid’s grandfather, J. Hikatarewa, played for New Zealand Maori in 1913. Reid was selected for the All Blacks in 1980 when test incumbent Andy Dalton was unavailable for what turned out to
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at Vector Arena in nearby Auckland. From 2012, the Magic will shift home games played in Hamilton from Mystery Creek to the new Claudelands Events Centre. Located in the city centre, the new stadium will have a seating capacity of 4000. The QEYC will also be replaced from 2012, with the new Baypark sports and exhibition centre likely to host Magic games in Tauranga. The new, $40 million Baypark venue will have a seating capacity of 3500, making it the first Tauranga venue to meet the 3000-seat minimum requirement for ANZ Championship stadia. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic The Waikato