As the dust settles on the Irish victory over the All Blacks, and the country licks its wounds, there is one Shore local who has been close to the action with the Irish. Former North Shore City councillor, Takapuna Beach Business Association General Manager, and current North Harbour Rugby team manager Peter White was the New Zealand Liaison Officer with the Irish as they toured the country. It is a role that Pete has performed on several Irish rugby tours over two decades. Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett talked with Pete about his experience with the Irish in late July, just as the victorious team was departing our shores.
AIDAN BENNETT: How many tours have you now done with the Irish, Pete?
PETER WHITE: Six tours with the Irish: 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2022. I have also had a great deal to do with many Irish players and management as Liaison Officer with the British and Irish Lions team tours in 2005 and 2017.
AB: What duties does the New Zealand Liaison Officer perform on tour?
PW: Generally the Liaison Officer ensures that both New Zealand and Ireland are treated fairly according to the Tour Agreement – which covers all details of the tour. Squad numbers, landed costs (accommodation, food, training venues, internal travel etc), resolving issues that may arise and utilising established networks to assist as required.
Because of Covid the Irish management couldn’t do a pre-tour recce to establish hotels and training venues. For previous tours I usually travel with management to assist in this respect, some months in advance of the tour. I had to do this myself for this tour and as a consequence spent a great deal of time in video calls with Ireland discussing various options. It has probably been the most difficult and satisfying tour that I have been involved in.
Initially, there was uncertainty as to whether the squad would have to isolate upon arrival in New Zealand and as a consequence the tour was only confirmed once New Zealand lifted this requirement – meaning there was little time to prepare adequately. Complicating this was the changing hospitality landscape. Most traditional hotels used in previous tours were being used as MIQ centres or had changed their operating model and were no longer suitable for touring teams.
Touring teams need a great deal of conference room space to cater for their requirements – medical, analytical, dining and meeting rooms as well as leisure spaces for the squad. They also need twin rooms for players with double double beds and large storage rooms for the kit that travels with a squad of 40 players and 29 management. In addition the hotel needs to be experienced in looking after large groups of sportsmen – providing nutritious meals of generous portions, ensuring the team's privacy and security are maintained, having parking for two 50-seat buses, plus minivan and a cargo van and also satisfy a range of other special requirements.
We had a large number of injuries in the first two weeks of tour meaning players had to be replaced and sent back to Ireland. Covid also affected the team with eight of the squad having to isolate alone for seven days, with the team travelling to Dunedin without them.
The team didn’t miss a beat – with others stepping in to fill the breach and everyone helping out as required.
AB: You were pretty close to the action and would have seen the team lose their first two matches. Did you get a feeling then that the tour could go either way or was there a resolve?
PW: There was a huge amount of resolve amongst the team. Although disappointed with the result of the first test at Eden Park they realised that they could have won if they had converted a number of opportunities and hadn’t let themselves down in the second quarter.
Unlike previous tours this squad believed they could beat the All Blacks.
Andy (Farrell) is an outstanding leader and motivator who instils confidence and inspires performance. Likewise Peter (O’Mahony) and Johnny (Sexton) are marvellous leaders.
The second test win was huge as was the midweek performance of the youngsters in the squad in beating the Māori All Blacks in Wellington, meaning there was a great deal of momentum going into the third test.
AB: They are obviously close to being the world’s very best at the moment. What makes them so good from your observations?
PW: I would say six key things: They’re quality people, they have outstanding management, excellent coaching, there is a mix of experience and youth, they have real belief, the team contains some of the best players in the world in key positions.
Coach Andy Farrell had asked for this tour which was really five tests and three shifts in 17 days – against the best in the world in their own back yard. He wanted to test his squad (players and management) in preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup. He wanted them to also do something special which will probably never happen again due to the proposed global calendar coming into effect in 2024.
AB: I am sure the tours are always fun as the Irish always have some good blarney. Any stories you can share?
PW: What goes on tour stays on tour Aidan. But the squad accepted me from day one and treated me as a valued member of management. They display genuine friendship and appreciation of assistance provided and work done on their behalf. I have worked with many of the management on previous tours and feel lucky to count them as true friends. To experience such a historical occasion with them all was magical and will remain a highlight of my career in rugby.
AB: Which players in the Irish team really impressed you on the tour?
PW: I have completed many tours with the senior players – the likes of Johnny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony, Connor Murray, Cian Healy and Keith Earls. These are true professionals and even though some of them are no longer starting players, they all give 100% to ensure those who have taken their place are best prepared. Cian looked down and out after the injury he suffered in Hamilton but showed remarkable resilience, perseverance and strength of character to start off the bench in the test series.
I was also very impressed with Josh van der Flier, a delightful man and quality player. Mac Hansen, the Australian, is a real character and dynamic player, as is Andrew Porter, the prop who scored twice in the second test.
The Kiwi contingent in the squad are all strong performers, and it was great to see Michael Bent (who played for a New Zealand Barbarian side last year that I was involved in) getting a call up and match time versus the Māori All Blacks.
AB: I know you are now back to your role as the manager of the QBE North Harbour team for the Bunnings NPC competition. How is the team shaping up for 2022?
PW: The team is looking good – we will hopefully have Karl Tu’inukuafe for 8-9 games before he heads to France and also welcome back former Harbour and now international players Mark Telea (All Blacks) and Ray Niuia (Samoa), Tevita Li is back from Japan and Danny Drake from Wales. New signings include England international Denny Solomona and Samoan international Kalolo Tuiloma. Returning players include Māori All Blacks Shaun Stevenson and Cameron Suafoa; New Zealand Sevens player Moses Leo and standout Chiefs first five Bryn Gatland.
AB: When is the first Harbour home game for 2022?
PW: Sunday August 14th at 4.35 pm v Manawatu at North Harbour Stadium. We would appreciate you all coming and supporting North Harbour.
