SHORE PEOPLE: PETER WHITE
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.
On tour with
Peter O’White 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.
Peter White (far right) with members of the Ireland management team after their series win in Wellington: From left – Gerard Carmody (Director of Operations), John Fogarty (Scrum Coach), Mike Catt (Assistant and Attack Coach), Simon Easterby (Defence Coach), Paul O’Connell (Forwards Coach), Mick Kearney (Manager), Peter Wilkins (Coach Development). In Front - David Nucifora (High Performance Director).
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 AB: What duties does the New Zealand – meaning there was little time to prepare Liaison Officer perform on tour? Two Peter's – Ireland’s world class loose forward adequately. Complicating this was the PW: Generally the Liaison Officer ensures Peter O'Mahony and Pete White. changing hospitality landscape. Most that both New Zealand and Ireland are traditional hotels used in previous tours were being used as MIQ treated fairly according to the Tour Agreement – which covers all centres or had changed their operating model and were no longer details of the tour. Squad numbers, landed costs (accommodation, suitable for touring teams. food, training venues, internal travel etc), resolving issues Touring teams need a great deal of conference room space to that may arise and utilising established networks to assist as cater for their requirements – medical, analytical, dining and meeting required. rooms as well as leisure spaces for the squad. They also need twin Because of Covid the Irish management couldn’t do rooms for players with double double beds and large storage rooms a pre-tour recce to establish hotels and for the kit that travels with a squad of 40 players and 29 management. training venues. For previous tours I In addition the hotel needs to be experienced in looking after large usually travel with management to groups of sportsmen – providing nutritious meals of generous assist in this respect, some months portions, ensuring the team's privacy and security are maintained, in advance of the tour. I had to having parking for two 50-seat buses, plus minivan and a cargo van do this myself for this tour and as a
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Issue 133 - August 2022 www.channelmag.co.nz
