Home. Its such a simple concept but to feel it as soon as you walk off a plane is something else. I was greeted by no less than a holagram of a rugby pass on green carpet on the threshold to customs and welcomed by my big bro in his NZ Rugby World Cup kit with a car decked in All Black Flags. Rugby World Cup MAGIC!
Over the next couple of days I soaked up the North Shore hospitality seeing Birkenhead support Argentina and the French welcomed in Takapuna. It really is such a great atmosphere to be a part of.
Opening Day rolled around and after a bit of a hiccup finding a person to sit next too (who in Auckland would not want to see the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in NZ honestly!) the day lifted off.
With the gathering crowd at Tom and Vicky's coming from Wellington and Timaru we set off for the ferry from Birkenhead Point. Tom and I sprinted for the ferry meant to leave at 1.55 and did not secure a birth until 2.45 due to overcrowding. This is were I met the eventual ticket taker Kevin - brother of my brothers boss and Uncle of my school friends. Gotta love the small world I live in. The ferry was adorned with flags and it was a great way to enter Queens Wharf being thrown right in the throng of Party Central.
We approached the Viaduct and as we entered the outskirts were cornered off with rope and loud speakers stating "the Viaduct is now full please seek alternatives where possible". Knowing we were some of the lucky few with tickets to the game we turned around and made our way to a bar for some cheeky refreshments before taking the train to Eden Park. We reached Britomart Train Station at 5.20. We were in a huge crowd and were pushed through the barriers at 5.45 before boarding the train at 6pm. We arrived at Eden Park shortly after 6.30pm. Now for all you foreign readers there has been a huge debacle about the trains and people missing the game. But as you can see if you go early in big crowds you will get there an hour early! I was early folks...clearly a very important day. We all know I have a habit of being 'delayed'.
Eden Park was pumping. The Tongan Massive was out in force, and Kapa Haka groups (Maori performance groups) around every corner making me squeeze myself with pride for being from a Pacific Nation. I grabbed a bit of food from the Mobil station where the huge pie warmer had cleared out and couldn't get restocked with all the hungry revellers taking them straight off the little man baker. Its so nice to be home! I made my way to my seat in the North Stand in the corner end of the ground. I sat next to a girl from Manchester so we had a brilliant night.
The great performance of opening night at the Rugby World Cup at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand began. Over 30 minutes we saw the story of New Zealand and a great display of rugby with a little chap running around the field with a lit ball. It was a great performance and felt quite Olympic Opening'esque...which I have never seen before for the opening game but perhaps I have never taken notice?
The Tongans kicked off the challenge with their haka and was followed by a stirring Ka Mate Haka which I was stoked they are using for the RWC. Its something that I think is so Kiwi and the new haka just isn't as so internationally recognisable.
The game was a solid game of massive hits that from my vantage point like being scissor cut by two massive men but each of time they walked away rearing for more. It is such a gladiatorial game after all. Although the All Blacks didn't dominate the way I had hoped they put up a solid performance for me on the night. With one defensive line break that had me leaping for joy.
The real story of the night started in the 71st minute when my seat mate Kevin's son in law Alisona Taulmalolo came on the field. Sona was the utility prop for Tonga and took charge at scrum time. He had a massive impact on the final stages of play and Tonga put great pressure on the try-line and Sona charged across the line. I have never cheered for an opposition player to score a try against the All Blacks but No.17 for Tonga changed my tune. It was brilliant to share it with his Father-in-law and be the two people in the stand jumping up and down whilst the blackout looked on like we were loonies (imagine two white folk in All Black and Kurow (home of Richie McCaw) jerseys shouting for a Tongan try.
The final score was 41-10. Well done to Tonga for bringing a solid performance to the opening match.
I am in New Zealand watching the Rugby World Cup. It feels like I am in a dream.
Over the next couple of days I soaked up the North Shore hospitality seeing Birkenhead support Argentina and the French welcomed in Takapuna. It really is such a great atmosphere to be a part of.
Opening Day rolled around and after a bit of a hiccup finding a person to sit next too (who in Auckland would not want to see the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in NZ honestly!) the day lifted off.
With the gathering crowd at Tom and Vicky's coming from Wellington and Timaru we set off for the ferry from Birkenhead Point. Tom and I sprinted for the ferry meant to leave at 1.55 and did not secure a birth until 2.45 due to overcrowding. This is were I met the eventual ticket taker Kevin - brother of my brothers boss and Uncle of my school friends. Gotta love the small world I live in. The ferry was adorned with flags and it was a great way to enter Queens Wharf being thrown right in the throng of Party Central.
We approached the Viaduct and as we entered the outskirts were cornered off with rope and loud speakers stating "the Viaduct is now full please seek alternatives where possible". Knowing we were some of the lucky few with tickets to the game we turned around and made our way to a bar for some cheeky refreshments before taking the train to Eden Park. We reached Britomart Train Station at 5.20. We were in a huge crowd and were pushed through the barriers at 5.45 before boarding the train at 6pm. We arrived at Eden Park shortly after 6.30pm. Now for all you foreign readers there has been a huge debacle about the trains and people missing the game. But as you can see if you go early in big crowds you will get there an hour early! I was early folks...clearly a very important day. We all know I have a habit of being 'delayed'.
Eden Park was pumping. The Tongan Massive was out in force, and Kapa Haka groups (Maori performance groups) around every corner making me squeeze myself with pride for being from a Pacific Nation. I grabbed a bit of food from the Mobil station where the huge pie warmer had cleared out and couldn't get restocked with all the hungry revellers taking them straight off the little man baker. Its so nice to be home! I made my way to my seat in the North Stand in the corner end of the ground. I sat next to a girl from Manchester so we had a brilliant night.
The great performance of opening night at the Rugby World Cup at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand began. Over 30 minutes we saw the story of New Zealand and a great display of rugby with a little chap running around the field with a lit ball. It was a great performance and felt quite Olympic Opening'esque...which I have never seen before for the opening game but perhaps I have never taken notice?The Tongans kicked off the challenge with their haka and was followed by a stirring Ka Mate Haka which I was stoked they are using for the RWC. Its something that I think is so Kiwi and the new haka just isn't as so internationally recognisable.
The game was a solid game of massive hits that from my vantage point like being scissor cut by two massive men but each of time they walked away rearing for more. It is such a gladiatorial game after all. Although the All Blacks didn't dominate the way I had hoped they put up a solid performance for me on the night. With one defensive line break that had me leaping for joy.
The real story of the night started in the 71st minute when my seat mate Kevin's son in law Alisona Taulmalolo came on the field. Sona was the utility prop for Tonga and took charge at scrum time. He had a massive impact on the final stages of play and Tonga put great pressure on the try-line and Sona charged across the line. I have never cheered for an opposition player to score a try against the All Blacks but No.17 for Tonga changed my tune. It was brilliant to share it with his Father-in-law and be the two people in the stand jumping up and down whilst the blackout looked on like we were loonies (imagine two white folk in All Black and Kurow (home of Richie McCaw) jerseys shouting for a Tongan try.
The final score was 41-10. Well done to Tonga for bringing a solid performance to the opening match.
I am in New Zealand watching the Rugby World Cup. It feels like I am in a dream.
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