Southlanders and rugby community stand alongside Blair Vining in difficult times

Tuesday, 8 January 2019

Blair and Melissa Vining and their daughters talk about Saturday's big rugby game.

Past and present players from junior grades to All Blacks have rallied around former Midlands player Blair Vining for his bucket list rugby game.

Blair, of Winton, has been undergoing treatment for cancer in his bowel, liver and lungs but it's not going to stop him from putting on a game to remember.

It will be played at Midlands Rugby Club grounds in Winton on Saturday - the day of his daughter Della-May's 17th birthday.

The two teams are made up of men Blair played rugby with or against, and former provincial and All Blacks stars.

Organisers of the event are remaining tight-lipped about the names of two current All Blacks who are coming south to be part of the event.

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Blair Vining with wife Melissa and daughters Della-May, 16, and Lilly, 12, at their home in Winton on Tuesday.

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With 284 games for Midlands, Blair, 38, intends to play for a short period on Saturday.

His other daughter, Lilly, 12, will be a ball girl, and is looking forward to running onto the field with the ball for the kick off.

Support for the event skyrocketed when Blair's team was posted on Facebook with a request for names to play in the opposition team.

One of the event's organisers, Ben McHugh, was amazed at the response with 90 names put forward.

'As soon as the first post went on Facebook, it just went gangbusters,' he said.

Some well-known names taking to the field include Jimmy Cowan, Mils Muliaina Tim Boys (in the Blair Vining Invitational XV); Corey Flynn, Jason Rutledge and David Hall (Barbarian Invitational XV).

'I'm overwhelmed to have these guys wanting play … it's quite special,' Blair said.

Sky TV rugby commentator Scotty Stevenson will be calling the game for an expected crowd of between 2000 to 3000.

The curtain raiser is between past and present Central Southland College First XV players. Blair is in his third year coaching the team.

Blair and wife Melissa have organised fundraising work for the team to cover costs for them to play in Queensland in April.

'Whether I'm here or not, the kids are going to Aussie,' Blair said.

First XV players are in for a busy day and night on Saturday because they are also waiting on tables at a black tie evening being held in conjunction with the rugby game.

Money from ticket sales to the black tie function, to be held in a marquee at the rugby grounds, will be given to the Blair Vining Sports Foundation.

The foundation was set up last year to provide financial help to junior sports people in Central Southland, especially those attending Central Southland College.

Ben McHugh said a big event would be held annually to raise funds for the foundation.

Food for the black tie evening and all-day barbecues had been donated by farmers, businesses and individuals, he said.

Men attending the black tie evening are encouraged to wear their club rugby shirt and tie.

'It's going to be great to see what kits gets pulled out of the wardrobe,' Ben said.

About $40,000 worth of goods and services have been donated for auctions at the event on Saturday. All money from the auctions will be given to the foundation.

'It's amazing the generosity of people,' Ben said.

'What's happened to Blair has hit home to a lot of people and we will all do anything to help him and his family.'

Blair and Melissa were stunned at the interest and support for the rugby game and black tie evening.

'We're overwhelmed by the generosity,' Melissa said.

One of Blair's former teammates, Jeff Wright, of Nelson, is involved in the honey industry and sent a pallet of manuka honey to the Vinings to sell, with the proceeds given to the foundation. Wright will also be playing on Saturday.

Melissa said Blair had not complained about his medical condition and never asked 'why me?'

'He's so brave, positive and giving, and that's what keeps me going to do the best for him.'

Blair ticked off another special event on his bucket list in Queenstown on New Year's Eve.

He and Melissa renewed their wedding vows and then they and their 120 family members and friends went aboard the TSS Earnslaw to welcome in the New Year on Lake Wakatipu.

'I was lucky to marry him twice,' Melissa said.

'It was an amazing day, the best day ever.'