Saturday April 03 - Game day

The second last day of tour started really early with the team heading off to play Cambridge High School at the same ground where we met St Peter's last Saturday. It was a hard-fought game where we took a dominant lead after the first half, 13-3.

The second half wasn't as kind to us, as they caught up and the game was tied 13-13 with 15 minutes to go. All the boys pulled together with some great defence to keep the game tied.

After the game we headed up to Eden Park, home of the Blues. We watched the Bulls vs the Blues, with the Blues having a convincing win.

by Josh Stone

The boys did play well today, with some great patches of both attack and (particularly) defence. A couple of lapses in concentration hurt us, but a pleasing end to the tour, with both the referee and touch judge (who had both officiated last Saturday) both commenting on the great improvement in intensity and skills displayed by the boys.

Tour breakfast tomorrow, and then we set the boys loose on Auckland, for a bit of sightseeing and some shopping. At this stage, our flight details are as planned :-

Flight EK435
Departing AKL 1715
Arriving Bris 1900 (although we then have to clear immigration and customs)

Remember, there is no bus for the trip back, so families will need to make their own arrangements re transport. See you all tomorrow.

Cheers,

Tony

Thursday April 02 - Fishing Trip

A beautiful day greeted us for our fishing trip. The keeper of the lake that protects it from the west wind was working overtime – a calm day ensured it was a very enjoyable day. Backs went on one boat and forwards on the other.

We dropped the lures down to 25 metres and hooked 5 trout, for 3 keepers. Benji landed the best one for the backs, and we enjoyed half of it smoked and half of it sushimi. After the magnificent BBQ lunch, we headed back for one of our best training sessions of the tour.

Friday April 02 - Tourists for a day

An early start as we headed for the Huka Jet, but it became an aborted trip early as the fog refused to lift, so the team leaders requested a Captain's Run at Taupo Rugby Club. It was foggy early, but then the sun poked through just in time for the staff vs team touch match. The staff had to battle a hostile referee, incessant whining from the opposition and sabotage from Joe P to run out victorious 4 -3.

It was then to the Huka Jet because we had the need, the need for speed. The boys enjoyed the 360's and the high speed antics of their drivers. It was then off to Rotorua, but the arly start made for a quiet trip as the boys punched out some serious ZZZZZs. It was then off to the Gondola and Luge, where the boys enjoyed tearing up the track.

Off to the YHA then, for a quick shower before heading off to Tamiki Village for our Maori Experience and Hangi. Chief Tama led the boys onto the Mori, and the buffet was destroyed by the 25 ravenous carnivores in the green blazers.

An early start tomorrow, as we head back to Cambridge for our last game on tour.