Auckland Grammar fans celebrate during last weekend’s semi-final against St Kentigern. Photo / Photosport
Grammar is appearing in the final for the first time since 2015.
It is understood Grammar’s concerns about ticket prices were outlined in discussions involving people at the highest levels of the school and rugby union earlier this week.
Two sources close to Grammar raised the possibility the school might want to relocate the final, although one conceded this was never likely to be a serious or viable option.
With concerns bubbling away, Thompson stepped in.
“I am personally,” Thompson said. “We’ll use the company name to [be] the benefactor of it. I’m a life member of Auckland Rugby, I sponsor Auckland, we sponsor the secondary schools … I can understand why Auckland Rugby have to put a charge on, but it’s hard on the schools.
“We are just coming in as a way to help them get the team along, promote rugby, and hopefully people will stay to support the Auckland and Hawke’s Bay [NPC] game.”
Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson. Photo / Ted Baghurst
Thompson did not want to give details of the arrangement. “That’s just something between us and Auckland Grammar, and I know they’re offering it to Kelston, which I’m happy for. There was a late-night call last night, and I prefer to keep the details of that quiet.”
He also said the potential outlay was confidential. “It really depends on the day – the weather can vary, depending on the day.”
Thompson said the arrangement was to encourage supporters who had been following the teams through the year to head along to the final.
“It was a quick call, and I’m there to support rugby and try and get as many people interested in the game by helping them out.”
Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O’Connor.
In a statement to the Herald today, Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O’Connor said the school was looking forward to the “privilege of playing Kelston Boys’ High School in the 1A Auckland rugby final at Eden Park this weekend”.
His statement did not address questions about Grammar’s earlier concerns or position.
“We have worked closely with Kelston Boys’ High School and Auckland Rugby on the logistics of playing at Eden Park to ensure that as many supporters as possible, from both communities, can attend the match free of charge.
“We are extremely grateful to Barfoot & Thompson for their sponsorship of both schools and Auckland Rugby.”
In an email to parents this afternoon, O’Connor pointed out that because the match was taking place at Eden Park, it was a ticketed event.
“Thanks to Auckland Rugby, students interested in attending have been provided a link to download a free ticket to join us while wearing navy blue and gold.
“Parents, Old Boys and friends of the school interested in joining us are also welcome to access free tickets, courtesy of Barfoot & Thompson. We are grateful to Peter Thompson, CNZM ’76 and Barfoot & Thompson for their generous support of both school communities.”
He provided a link for those supporters.
Eden Park will host this weekend’s Auckland 1A secondary schools rugby final between Grammar and Kelston Boys’ High.
Auckland Rugby Union event director Cody Neilson said discussions with Grammar had been positive. “I don’t think we were ever facing the possibility of the game not being played at Eden Park. We definitely had some discussions and have come to a really satisfactory place for both.”
He said the union was distributing 8000 free tickets to the four schools involved in the two finals – Grammar, Kelston and 1B finalists Howick and Otahuhu.
“I don’t believe there are any issues here, and we’re really looking forward to celebrating a good day of rugby.”
Asked why Thompson had needed to come forward to subsidise other tickets, he said: “You’d have to ask Auckland Grammar that question because that’s an arrangement that they’ve come to with Peter Thompson.”
Asked if Auckland Grammar had hit the roof about the original $10 charge, Neilson said: “I wouldn’t say hit the roof. We had some really good conversations and came to a really good resolution. We’re both very comfortable that we’ve looked after our stakeholders.”
He said his conversations with O’Connor had been positive. The union did not believe there had been a controversy “or even a story”.
Gates open at Eden Park at 12.15pm before the 1B final at 12.30pm, the 1A final at 2.50pm and the Auckland versus Hawke’s Bay NPC match at 5.05pm.
Rugby fans who are not affiliated to the schools and want to watch the matches, including the NPC game, will be charged $20 per ticket (a ticket for a child under 13 is $5).
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.