Day 11, Friday 8th July.

In Whanga we were informed of a change in the tour schedule. Instead of Black Water rafting in the Waitomo Caves we are going to Eden Park this morning to meet the All Blacks (we ok, if I have to). We hang around the car park 1st, all dressed in kit getting admiring glances from the locals. The ABs drive past in a bus and go straight in. We go to a local Chinese chippy that sells everything that a really good chippy, a crap Chinese and a normal café would.
We go in, along with a tiny bit of press, in to see the All Blacks, they have finished their final ‘Captains run’ which they kept us away from so we didn’t spy out their moves. The rather cynical management (me, shed and Deano) aren’t expecting much and have got the boys in kit in the hope of maybe having a team photo alongside them. It turns out though that they are relaxing at the side of the field and we have about 40 minutes in which to chat/collect autographs etc. I make sure I get a photo with Tana Umaga for Dion (his favourite player apart from the Hair Bears) and get some autographs. Top moments include Doug Howlett taking Tony for a run around the field (Tony didn’t know who he was), Anton Oliver talking to various props (check it out HERE), Graham Henry recognising Louie from Stradey and Jon Kerr practising his kicking at the posts. Me and Lee get photos for the girls alongside Daniel Carter but Lee scares him off when he leans in for a kiss (to make Becca even more jealous). Some of the boys get really into it and turn up all sorts of stuff for autographs (check out e bay probably) but me and Shed take pictures of each other scoring at Eden Park. Some of the players disappear pretty quickly but carter, Henry, Hansen, Umaga and Oliver were especially excellent and the whole party was thrilled. Justin Marshall donated two pairs of boots, (9 1/2s bugger). One will eventually go into the Warriors cabinet but the others will pay for the next tour when the go on e bay (definitely). Very fetching silver they are as well. We also get a couple of practise balls with the DHL and All Blacks logos on. Still buzzing, it’s into Auckland where the tv crew pay for lunch for everyone (MucDonalds I’m afraid) before me and Shed are whisked away to a mystery location (well we didn’t know where we were) to do a tv interview (see link earlier in Blog). They grill us for about 45 minutes on everything from the origins of the team to what we think of the Lions tour. I thought we did pretty well but would love to see it in full. It’s also our 1st chance to see the Auckland Sky Tower which Rob Sheep and Deano are going to jump off (sponsored). It looks very very tall to me.
That evening we have food at a local sports bar that Gappa frequents. (except the La-di-das who go out for a meal and then to watch ‘War of the worlds') Today is the first morning we haven’t had a cooked breakfast so Louie, Jumpin’ and Nuisance order a full British. Rich bach orders spicy sausages which are too spicy then chips that have ‘green stuff’ (parsley) on it then something else. I have an excellent curry. We have a couple more pints there. The owner, one of the Hamilton boys who came down to Wellington and Stewy the cook all say hello.
We go back to the bar we frequented yesterday and move around some similar pubs. Lee, Deano and Shed take early retirement but big Al and Rob Sheep stay out. Me and Rob even take on the local night club but it’s a bit teeny bopper for me, full of (mainly Maori) kids throwing hip hop shapes. Rob joins in quite effectively. I still keep forgetting which beer we’re on (Speights) and get a round of spritzers in by accident. (oh well, La-di-da) We go back to the bar we were in yesterday where an excellent Maori band play a very very varied set that includes; Van Morrison, System of a Down, Metallica, Clash and various pop/rock classics.
Rob disappears somewhere and me and Al are chucked out eventually. We walk back via a burger bar and then a garage for a pie where a local slapper tells us we (as Lions supporters) suck. (I love a well reasoned argument) oh well – bed.