All Blacks captains support rugby’s Olympic push
New Zealand Rugby Union
NZRU Media Release:
All Blacks 2009 captains Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina have joined the international rugby community in supporting the game’s final push for inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2016.
The two players, who both captained the All Blacks in 2009, say they expect all Zealand’s rugby players would be motivated by the potential to play on the world’s greatest sporting stage.
McCaw, who has played 76 Test matches for the All Blacks and captained the team on 39 occasions, said rugby players the world over would be excited at the prospect of rugby joining the Olympic Games.
“Playing for New Zealand and pulling on the All Blacks jersey have been a huge honour in my life. As a rugby player, to be able to do that at an Olympic Games would be just huge and something that every rugby player in this country would be motivated by,” he said.
Muliaina, who has played 77 Test matches for the All Blacks and captained the team for three matches in 2009, made his name on the international stage in sevens rugby and is hopeful that the International Olympic Committee will vote to readmit Rugby Union to the Olympic Games at the IOC Session in Copenhagen on Friday.
“I think every player playing today, and all those who are coming through rugby in New Zealand would give their right arm for the chance to play rugby at the Olympic Games,” he said.
“I know I have been incredibly blessed with the opportunities I have had, and winning a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was right up there with my greatest All Blacks memories, so I can only imagine what it would be like to play at the Olympics. It’s a great thing to imagine though.
The IOC will consider presentations from golf and rugby on Friday October 9 (late evening NZ time) and then vote separately on each sport’s inclusion in the Olympic programme.
The outcome of the voting is expected to be announced by the IOC late on Friday or early Saturday morning (NZ time).
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For further information please contact:
Brian Finn
Communications Manager
New Zealand Rugby Union
T: +64 4 494 0765
M: +64 27 229 5380