Waitangi Day, A Down-&-Dirty Rugby Game, & A Giveaway
Unique to New Zealand, Waitangi Day (pronounced ‘Why-tung-ee) is a national public holiday – a day to remember the signing of an important document 174 years ago. It’s not a proud day in New Zealand history, but it is a part of both Maori and Pakeha (non Maori) history. If you’re a history buff you can read about it on Wikipedia here.
On Stewart Island where In Too Deep is set, a tradition has started of a friendly but competitive game of rugby each Waitangi Day. Considered by some as New Zealand’s national game, rugby is not among my top 5 favourite things – but I can appreciate a group of large, good-looking men in shorts running around a muddy field. In one memorable moment that will forever go down as a new Kiwi Legend, All Black Sonny Bill Williams removed his shirt during a match in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. You can see a clip of it below – just for historical purposes of course…
Since rugby is such a passion to most New Zealand males, I couldn’t help but recreate my own little twist on the traditional Waitangi Day game in my first book, IN TOO DEEP. Instead of testosterone-charged males slogging it out, I pitted two teams against each other – men vs. women. And instead of normal rugby (which can be brutal), they play a not-so-friendly game of Touch Rugby. Check out the excerpt below.
Muddy hair, muddy face, and mud plastering his shorts and top to his skin. Twenty minutes into the game and all was good with the world.
West swiped a hand across his forehead as a light rain began to fall. A bloom of multi-colored umbrellas sprouted up at the sidelines. He glanced to the other end of the field where the women’s team clustered in a circle, his gaze automatically honing in on Piper’s rangy, thoroughly mud-covered form. The guys’ team was at a serious disadvantage with six hot females in tight, wet clothing running around. Or maybe he was the only one distracted by a certain hot female.
He dragged his gaze away from the curve of Piper’s ass as she bent down to re-lace her boot, and glared at the huddle of men around him.
“Right. Kip and Joe, you’re on the bench until the last ten minutes, then we’ll sub you in to win this thing.”
Opposite him, Gav Reynolds spat on the trampled grass. “Women are kicking our sorry asses out there.”
“Would help if you’d stop getting so many penalties,” Ford said.
Gav swore, his Due South team shirt straining over his puffed-out chest.
Ford’s dad, Rob, grunted and shook his head. “Chill, Gav.”
Ben, complete with his plastic bag covered cast and crutches, elbowed further into the group from where he’d watched the game on the sidelines. “The ref’s already threatened to send you off for misconduct, Gav, so stop acting like such a douche and leave Kezia and Piper alone.”
Gav swung toward Ben. “What business is it of yours?”
“It’s my sister and her friend you’re gunning for.” Ben refused to budge.
So even Ben noticed Gav’s amped-up aggression toward the two women—accidently shoving Piper out of the way, taking the term “touch” to mean grabbing Kezia’s ass. And it hadn’t escaped his attention that Piper kept heckling Gav, putting herself between him and Kezia. Like a rodeo clown distracting a pissed off bull.
The ref’s whistle blew a long continuous blast. End of half-time break.
“Watch your step, Reynolds,” was all West said as they jogged onto the field—when what really burned on his tongue was, “Touch Piper again and you’ll be pissing blood for a week.”
To celebrate Waitangi Day and a down-and-dirty game of rugby, I’m running a giveaway. The winner will receive an e-copy of In Too Deep, an In Too Deep magnet, and 4 Stewart Island note cards/envelopes. Runner up will receive an e-copy of In Too Deep and a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Giveaway is open internationally.
Just a heads up with the Rafflecopter draw – if you subscribe to my newsletter and don’t confirm your subscription (check your spam box if you haven’t got a automated response) then you’re not subscribed and your entry won’t be counted. Bummer. So make sure you click on the confirmation e-mail! 
