35 Men - 35 Men

Brad NORMAN

DOB: 3/03/1980

History: North Harbour Open Mens 2002 - 2004, North Harbour Over 30 Mens 2012 - 2018, NZ Over 30 Mens 2017

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Playing for NZ at a Touch WC has been a life long goal of mine and will be a true honour to wear the Silver Fern

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: That it brings people together - allowing us to battle on the field, whilst creating life long friendships off it

Home Province: North Harbour

Brendon STEWART

DOB: 21/03/1978

History: Played more than 10 seasons for Canterbury Open Men's. Played Canterbury Men's 30's, 2007 and 2011 World Cups for NZ Open Men. Played 2015 WC for NZ Mens 35's. Played numerous Trans Tasman's for NZ Open Men and NZ Mens 30's

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It is hard to explain. It is an immense feeling of pride to represent your country and to walk onto the field next to your friends and team mates

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Skills, fitness, camaraderie, travel

Home Province: Canterbury

Chris JOSEPH

DOB: 25/12/1980

History: Played touch for Bulletz opens for 10 years and won two whakatane tournaments. Played Te Apouri Open Mens at the Maori nationals an won 5 years in row. Played Counties Open Mens for 10 years. Played in the 2015 WC and represented the Cook Island Open Mens

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It's a great achievement in any sport to represent your country. Playing for NZ has been a dream. I have been given the opportunity to do so, and am greatful. I can't wait to put the jersey on

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Playing with my family and friends. By doing so given our young ones a pathway to develop themselves in a code but also to develop themselves into great role models for the next generation. Using touch as a positive environment away from all the negative things in our communities

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Daniel YEE

DOB: 31/07/1983

History: Playing for Alliance Elite 8 team in 2010 and 2018. Victoria MVP 201, Winning NZ Touch nationals for Canterbury Mens 2008-10. Physio for NZ 30s and 35's in The All Nations 2005

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Representing NZ is a very proud moment; and to put on the Black Singlet in front of my family and friends is a dream come true

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Team bonding and team banter

Home Province: Canterbury/Victoria

Dashe WALTERS

DOB: 8/03/1978

History: Represented Northland - North Habour - Counties Manukau - Auckland. Represented NZ secondary school, NZ Maoris Mens Player coach World Masters games - player coach Pan Pacific Masters games - player coach Auckland 30 Mens

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Be a honor an privilege to represent my Country an Family

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Nephew to Mr Touch (Peter Walters)

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Meeting new people who become friends for life

Home Province: Auckland

D.J BLANK

DOB: 23/01/1983

History: Touch has always been the sport I've loved since school, recently I've spent time supporting the younger players through my club and region and this has been important to me with giving back. I have continued to grow, build relationships and comradery through tournaments. Representative teams including club Open Men's teams, Indigenous, Maori nationals, Waikato, and NZreprestitive teams

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: To be playing at a WC is surreal. Overcomming adversity in life to play the game you love is a goal on its own. But to be selected for a WC is another level again

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love that the opportunities to adapt learn and grow are most always supported..as these things are Important to me in sport and in life... But most of all I appreciate and love that the comradery between teams and players and also the friendships made within competition

Home Province: Waikato

Donnie RIHARI

DOB: 7/02/1977

History: Been playing Touch for 22+ years. Touch has taken me all over the world and am very grateful for what the sport has done for me. AUT Sportsman of the Year 2003/04 & again in my final year 2006 for Touch. Player/Coach of AUT Open Mixed Touch team 2003-07 including NZ University Honors‚ All Nations Champs, NZ Open Mixed 2005‚ NZ Open Mixed Touch Team 2007 South Africa‚ World Indigenous Champions NZ Maori Open Mens 2010‚ World Masters Champions Galaxy 35 Mens 2017

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It's an honor to wear the Fern and represent the Touch Blacks and I'll wear that fern with great pride. To be able to play for your country with some of the best players in NZ is an exciting environment that I just love being in. Not only do I do this for my country, but I also represent my family, close friends and mentors who have always supported me throughout my Touch journey

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: What I love most about the game of Touch is the relationships I have formed over the years.. I have been all over the world with Touch and have so many that friends I have met near and abroad

Home Province: Auckland

Eli DOORNENBAL

DOB: 18/12/1979

History: NZ Mens Open 2005-2007, 2015 World Cup champions 35 Mens

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: An Absolute Honour, To represent my country in my chosen sport which I love is awesome

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love the grind and the battles with opponents. The sharpness and pace of the game and then of course the social aspect in meeting lots of people

Home Province: Canterbury

Hayden KARENA

DOB: 12/03/1982

History: Waikato U21 men's 00-02, Open Mens 05-06, Open Mix 07, Open Mens '12, Mens 30s 2016-Present. Rep NZ U18 Boys in 2001 YWC. NZ Maori Open Mens All Nations, NZ Maori Open Mens Indigenous World Cup, NZ Men's 35s Masters World Cup 2019/20

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Means a lot to me as my kids are excited to see me do well and I get to represent them and my whanau proudly

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My 3 children are all playing touch now. 2 of them are current representatives in the Waikato teams with 1 in the u16 girls grade and my son whom I coach is in the u10 boys elite. My youngest has just started playing at age 6 for her school and club

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I have been able to play on the same field and team with all of my children and their mother. Not many other sports provide opportunities for you to be able to do that

Home Province: Waikato

Leon SKINNER

DOB: 6/08/1979

History: This WC will be 20 years since I made my debut for the Mens Open in Sydney. Being part of the only Winning team at the WC in 2015 was a highlight in my career

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Still means a lot me to represent my country after all these years. I've turned down other opportunities lately to still be apart of it. I love putting on the Black Singlet and going into battle with all the other nations

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Played along side my brother for a large part of my career in the Touch Blacks

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Meeting new people who love the game and forging new friendships

Home Province: Canterbury/SQBD Sharks

Luke CHAPMAN

DOB: 27/10/1981

History: Playing in Counties for 15 years & Coaching in Counties for 5 years

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Privilege an honour to represent my family, people and country. Pride

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Wife Olivia Chapman is in the 27 Womans team

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The whanau aspect and the opportunities eg. meeting people, travel and experiences etc. Easily accessible, challenging but most importantly enjoyable

Home Province: Counties Manukau

Nick O'HALLORAN

DOB: 3/12/1983

History: Canterbury 30s. 30s Mens National champions. Silver medal World Masters games

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: An honour to be selected for your country. Cannot wait to go into battle with the brothers. Some can only wish for an experience like this. Absolutely wrapped

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The family aspect. People treat others so well and some of the best people I know are because of touch, it is very much like one big family

Home Province: Canterbury