For potentially the first time in 141 years the Otago men’s representative team will be taking the field not wearing the Golden O.

In round nine of this year’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC (30^th September - 2^nd October), all fourteen provincial unions competing will be supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.   

Otago Rugby will be removing all Gold elements of the playing shorts and jersey to then be replaced by pink.

ORFU CEO Richard Kinley said, “The Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand supports people when they need it most. For us, this is an opportunity to support them and work they do.  I am not aware of when the O has not been gold, making this change reinforces how committed we are to backing them.”

Bunnings Warehouse NPC coach Tom Donnelly added, “The boys love playing with the Golden O on their chest. For the team to give it up, shows how much this cause means to them, they can’t wait to pull on the Pink O for a day.”

After the game, Otago vs Canterbury on Saturday 1^st October 7:05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the match day jerseys will be auctioned off via the Trademe platform and profits donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.   Limited edition replica jerseys will also be available on the Otago Rugby website from Monday 5 September, with apparel partner Gilbert Australia/New Zealand donating $10 from every jersey sold to BCFNZ.  

Article added: Thursday 01 September 2022