Sean Fitzpatrick and Gavin Hastings to Discuss All Blacks Rivalry in Edinburgh
Watsonian Football Club has announced that former All Black captain and World Cup winner Sean Fitzpatrick and Scottish rugby icon Gavin Hastings will headline ‘The Hoodoo Lunch’ at The George Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday, 6th November 2026. The event takes place on the eve of Scotland’s Nations Championship test match against New Zealand.
The lunch will bring two of rugby’s most legendary figures together on stage. Chaired by BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English, the feature discussion will examine rugby’s ultimate rivalry, shared memories of battling the All Blacks, and Scotland’s ongoing quest to break the “Hoodoo”.
Gavin Hastings is the only Scot to captain a winning test match side against the All Blacks, achieving this in the second Lions test in 1993. The afternoon will also feature contributions from Watsonian internationalists who took on New Zealand over the decades.
Watsonian Football Club president John McLellan commented: “New Zealand don’t seem to be getting any weaker, but we hope our first Hoodoo lunch will also be the last if Scotland score a historic victory the day after. We’re looking forward to hearing from Gavin and Sean about how it might be achieved.”
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The lunch is being held in aid of Maggie’s Centre, in memory of Scott Hastings, the British Heart Foundation, and Watsonian Football Club.
Event attendees will receive a welcome drink, a two-course lunch, and a half-bottle of wine per person. Tickets are priced at £100 for members, £120 + VAT for non-members, and corporate tables of 10 are available for £1,200 + VAT. Bookings can be made directly via Fanbase or by emailing info@watsoniansrugby.com.
Watsonian Football Club, established in 1875 and based at Myreside, Edinburgh, has played an integral role in shaping Scotland’s rugby heritage. The club’s roster includes over seventy Scottish internationalists, such as Grand Slam winners David Johnston, Euan Kennedy, Gavin and Scott Hastings, Stuart McNally, current Watsonian FC Director of Rugby Marcus di Rollo, and Jason White.
