40 Men - 40 Men

Andre ROBINSON

DOB: 17/08/1975

History: I have represented my province Manawatu from ayoung age. I've been living in Perth for the past 5 years and have been actively playing touch, representing state teams and gaining MVP 4 years in a row. Also I have been an active member of the reffing community and just last year 2017/2018 was Coach for our Open Womans Giants team

WHat does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Overwhelmed, someone who has played touch for 25 years plus at social, competitive & provincial level.Carrying the Silver Fern to represent my place of birth is a true honour

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The joy it brings me to play and also the people I'm surrounded with, more importantly my 5 daughters and wife. We all have a passion for the game of Touch

Home Province: Manawatu

Benn SEEBECK

DOB: 11/06/1974

History: Fusion Mens 19 years, Canterbury Open Mens 20 years, Canterbury Open Mixed ,Canterbury 30 Men's 9 years, NZ Open Men's WC, NZ 30 Men's Super TT, NZ 35 Men's WC Gold and player of the final

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Being able to play at the WC in front of my family is a proud moment for me, it helps show my daughters what can be achieved if you set your goals and put the work in

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My wife and 3 daughters all played for Canterbury

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The lifelong friends I've made

Home Province: Canterbury

Craig MCHERRON

DOB: 1/11/1974

History: 2015 NZ Mens Over 35's WC Winner/NTL Winner (Mens 30's, Senior Mixed)/NZ National Winner (Mens Open)Player-Coach 2007 England Mens OpenPlayed and Coached for Over 30 years in NZ, England and Australia

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: A huge honour to represent my country and play alongside lifetime friends and highly respected legends of the storm

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The comradery between participants of the sport. Whether they be players, referees or officials

Home Province: Canterbury (Brisbane Resident)

George JAHNKE

DOB: 6/05/1974

History: WC's 95,99,2003,2007,2011,2015 - golds 99,07,11. Coached NZ 40s (Queensland tour 2004 series winners) and NZ 20x (TransTasman series winners 2009). 20 years of Open nationals in a row. Level 3 National referee1999 WC Mixed Title best highlight - first open NZ team to win a WC 2nd most capped NZ player in the game

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Passion-Sacrifice-Famiy-Highest honour

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The ability to share the field with great athletes, family, and friends of all ages.The memories and friendships the game develops I am able to continue longer in the sport compared to the contact versions of the oval ball sporting versions

Home Province: Wellington

Grant ROBERTSON

DOB: 26/03/1978

History: I have a real passion for Touch and have been involved in the sport for many years. Touch Blacks Open Mixed (2009 & 2012), Touch NZ Senior Mixed, Touch NZ 30 Men's,Touch NZ 40 Men's, 3rd World Cup campaign,Touch Blacks Open Mixed, 2015 - Senior Mixed, 2013 Super TransTasman NZ 30 Mixed. Touch NZ Level 2 Coach- Touch Canterbury‚ Recently employed as General Manager - Touch Canterbury

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It is always an honour to be selected to any NZ team and every time it is just as exciting as the first but often for different reasons. My focus is always the same:#1: To represent my family, who allow me to play the sport I love and are unconditional in their support to me#2: To represent my fellow team mates new and old,#3: To do it in such a way that other young touch players are inspired to follow.To be able to attend a 3rd Touch world cup is exciting and a challenge I am committed to!

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: That it is a game for all skill levels and is multi-generational. The ability to play with friends and whanau or compete Internationally at the highest level provides opportunities for all to be involved at any stage along the Touch pathway

Home Province: Canterbury

Jason PUDDLE

DOB: 21/08/1976

History: NZ open mixed rep (1998/2003 world cup squads, 2009 trans tasman, 1998 south pacific series)NZ 30s mixed rep (2013 super trans tasman and 2015 world cup)NZ 40s mens rep ( 2017 trans tasman and 2019 world cup)Fiji open mens rep 2005 all nationsNZ maori masters mixed coach 2010 world indigenous tournament. Represented both canterbury and the BOP

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Its the pinnacle of our sport or any sport representing your Country at a WC. Running on the field wearing the Silver Fern is an honour and a humbling experience especially when you have your family there supporting you

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Its a game that can be played by any one anywhere anytime. Its a sport that gives you the opportunity to represent your country travel the world and make new friends it also allows you to give back

Home Province: Canterbury

Johnathon MASON

DOB: 16/09/1978

History: Played nz 30's trans tasman, play for waikato province

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?:Its a life long dream not everybody gets to wear the silver fern I want to be someone who uses the vehicle of this awesome game to help and motivate others to be fit and active, people tend to fall through the gaps because they can't tap into the knowledge unless you're in the system thats where I can help I love NZ touch it means a lot

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport? Cousin Dion Dean from ngatira marae( Putaruru) played in the NZ mens team in the world cup final 1991 vs Australia.

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Making new friends, gives the smaller athletes a chance to excel. Women and men can play on a even playing field good for families to spend time together

Home Province: Waikato

Mark ELLIOTT

DOB: 12/05/1975

History: Mostly played social touch and then trialled for the Canterbury to play 2016 nationals and since then won 3 gold medals over the last 3 years in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but will be playing for Bay of Plenty in 2019. Selected NZ for the 2017 Trans Tasman but broke a finger at nationals so could train at the last camp so was ruled out which was very disappointing

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: To wear the Black jersey in the game I love to play is a huge honour and it shows that hard work does pay off. It was a very proud moment to be selected in the final 16 and especially to my friends and family but the most proud moment is telling your kids

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the fitness and the skills touch delivers but also love learning and improving my skills.But I love getting outdoors and playing with friends and family

Home Province: Canterbury

Matt WITHERS

DOB: 1/10/1977

History: Played in 2011 Edinburgh WC with the Senior Mixed. Played Master Trans Tasman series 2010 Townsville, Super Trans Tasman 2013, Masters Trans Tasman 2017 Sunshine Coast. Have won National titles with Canterbury Open Mixed and Canterbury 30 Mens, won NLT's (Aussie) with Canterbury 30 Mens, won World Club Champs in Singapore with Fusion 2009

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Makes me very proud to represent NZ, my family and my friends

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport? My partner Janelle Cavanagh would be in the open womens

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Defence and yards

Home Province: Canterbury

Nigel HEATH

DOB: 27/05/1977

History: I started representing Canterbury in the secondary schools team in 1994 where I made the NZ team to tour Australia. I went on to play Canterbury Mens Open. In more recent years I have shifted my focus to coaching with the Canterbury U12 boys team years and playing Canterbury masters Touch

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It means alot for me to represent New Zealand and to show my kids that hard work and commitment pays off

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport? My wife Sommer Te Kahu has represented NZ Open Womens for a number of years

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Whanau and friends

Home Province: Canterbury

Scott GRANT

DOB: 13/01/1975

History: Playing touch since the early 1990's. Represented Canterbury Open Men's, 30's and 40's. Have represented New Zealand in Masters Grades since 2005. Winner of WC 2015, NZ 35 Mens

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It is exciting to represent my country again at a World Cup and try to win back to back gold medals!

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport? My partner, Anita Boyd has represented New Zealand in the Women's 27's and 30's. My children, Isabella (12) and Jackson (10) are both now representing Canterbury

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: That you can play at any age, the game is always evolving and that now i can play in the same team as my kids

Home Province: Canterbury

Shamos HUNTER

DOB: 11/09/1975

History: I've been playing Touch for years, since the early 90s as a teenager, its been an awesome sport to be a part of. BOP is my Province, which I have represented since 93, Sec Schools and later Opens and Masters

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It means everything, I've been selected in previous squads for WC campaigns, but never had the belief I belonged at that level, with so many greats of our game. This time I've grabbed the opportunity and wont look back

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love that its fun, intense, exciting, and its whanau oriented. Touch What a Game

Home Province: Bay of Plenty

Stevie WALL

DOB: 28/03/1978

History: NZ Mixed 2002-09 2 WCs ,2 Trans Tasman, Queensland Tour, All Nations (Won Final). NZ Mixed Masters 2013-15. 1 Trans Tasman, one WC, 6 Nationals Mixed Titles. NZ Maori Indigenous Tournament, Rotorua 2012. 10 Maori mixed National Titles

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Means everything as I only made NZ later in my 20s, so never made school grades. Once i made it I never let it go

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport? Brother Chris Wall played from NZ mens from many years, Played world cup with cousin Ray Niu

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Firstly reuniting with friends and family. How it can be social and competitive. It is a mixed sport also and finally where the next generation are taking this sport... they are unbelievable

Home Province: Bay of Plenty