Palmer also reflected on the impact of Covid-19 last year, with registered Māori players down 22 per cent from 2019 to 35,555. However, when lockdowns lifted and players returned to paddocks across the country, the sport played a crucial part in many people’s lives, she said.
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Former All Black Bill Bush was on hand to watch the Crusaders beat the Blues in Christchurch last Sunday. “Rugby did provide our whānau with what they needed at that time – manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and kotahitanga. Māori in rugby, and Māori rugby demonstrated resilience and achieved some great outcomes in 2020,” Palmer said.