Clash of the Codes

Everyone loves a little friendly competition – even the wet and cold morning couldn’t dampen the heat between the Union and League players who turned up bright and early for PlaceMakers Cook Street’s Clash of the Codes building challenge!

The Blue September event, where each ‘code’ team was given three hours to build a playhouse, aired live on Breakfast TV. Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Graeme Woodside joined presenter Sam Wallace and special co-host Sir Peter Leitch aka ‘the Mad Butcher’ to watch the event unfold.

“We had three union guys from the North Harbour Team – Zac Judge, Jordan Manihera and Irwin Finau – up against three Warriors’ players – Carlos Tuimavae, Russell Packer, Steve Rapira and Monty Beetham”, says J (Justin) Curry. “Each side was championed by a PlaceMakers manager – myself and Ron Vanderplas – and, as a team, we needed to design, build and paint a playhouse each.”

The Union boys – who had a builder in their midst – took the lead early on but, as the hours passed, the Mad Butcher teamed up with Ron and the Warriors to create a more elaborate playhouse that the kids on site much preferred.

“In the end, we decided it was a draw as ours was a bit plain yet very appealing as a man cave, but the Warriors’ one was much prettier – with two storeys and a veranda!” says J. “It was a great morning, good exposure for Blue September and, to top it off, both playhouses sold on Trade Me for $910 – which went straight to the Prostate Cancer Foundation!”