Overview
Celebrated by many and challenged by few as the best full back in history, George Nepia's legacy is bought to the stage in this one man production. Delving into the life one of New Zealand's greatest sporting sons, the story follows the All Black known as 'the fearless fullback' who played a leading role in the famous 1924 Invincibles. His exploits on the field saw him rise to become the first global superstar of Rugby. Nepia’s Rugby career, which covered both Union and League, won him international admiration and in 1982 he was honoured at the St Helen’s ground in Swansea, Wales as a true rugby icon.
The play, written by Hone Kouka, is a celebration of the Rugby icon's life, on and off the field. Jarod Rawiri is cast as Nepia and is a fitting portrayal both in physical resemblance, as well as with his ability to capture the characteristics and emotions of the Rugby great.
On show for the last few weeks in Wellington, Rawiri's performance has had received high acclaim. He takes the audience through not just the Rugby tour but also the story of Nepia's life from his humble beginnings as an East Coast boy growing up on his family farm.
I, George Nepia is the quintessential story of a New Zealand sporting hero and is the perfect cultural complement to the Rugby World Cup.