Ar Daith/On tour: Day 2, Match Day 1

So 1st day in NZ, we have already spent most of the day travelling and once we squash all the bags onto the bus, off the bus, decode the lifts at BASE X and squash the bags into our rooms it's game(s) on: specifically Wales v Tonga and New Zealand v Samoa, not bad for the opening night's entertainment!

1st though it's trying to unpack and get ready in the base - a typical backpackers hostel with lots of youngsters and hanging out space. The rooms are functional but fine. Jamie, Ben and Dad are in the same room with 2 bunk beds. Showers are communal but fine, it doesn't take long to get sorted but we certainly aren't 1st and by the time we are ready reports come in of an Irish bar (of course), "left, left, left and left again" contrary to suspicions this proves correct and the tour is soon encamped at "Father Ted's" drinking the 1st Tui of tour (and one of the last - Speights is much better!).

Doesn't take long for the Kiwi/Irish bar to be fully Cymrusised, not many Lions/Welsh about though Lee does find cousin Ricky almost immediately. Rich Hapus wins at pool, Huw Flash and Jumpin' John are 1st to drop off to sleep

Flaszzzzzzzzzzz

Hapus the hustler

A-B coaches come and take us over to Eden Park and our little red army matches to the gates. Plenty of Tonga being represented. There are welcomers(?) in chairs like a tennis umpire's who all manage quite decent Welsh greetings.

The tickets are in two groups so while most go straight in, Me, Jamie, Ben Princess, Gary Shed with Gappa and Marsh have to head round the ground and even manage to take in another pub, meet some other Welsh, 1st sing song of tour (if only we had a choirmaster) and have to put a bit of a step on to get to the ground in time for the anthems.

"I <3 ABs" ?? Didn't know they were playing!

The Pasifika Challenge

Betws Boys - Finding Iest Wills

Decorating Eden Park so it looks like Burry Port RFC's bar

Gordon: Scottish guy on Lions tour supporting Wales v Tonga with an All Blacks Sign (free)

The Welsh game isn't the most exciting - a solid win in the rain, Cuthbert scoring a good try in front of us. Allen did well to get up from a huge hit and Wales never looked in danger.

Wales 24 Tonga 6 Match Report

Flash awake

Tongan challenge

The Scottish boys in their lucky Welsh hats

Fudgzzzzzz & Snoring John

Some are visibly flagging and there is talk of moving on but everyone at least stays for the Samoan and New Zealand Hakas. Eden Park is still pretty empty (I reckon NZ v Samoa would be a sell out in Wales) and there is no security worrying about where you stand, or sit so those who stay find some dry areas to watch the All Blacks and Samoa.

Samoa start really strongly and have a try disallowed, apply all the pressure and have two penalties full just short of the posts. Having ridden the storm, NZ go through the gears and run rings round their opposition, running up a big score.

Final score: New Zealand 78 Samoa 0

Everything you could want to know about the game HERE from the Telegraph

With the game done by half time there is more entertainment from watching the Samoan and Kiwi supporters or trying to talk to the Welsh team when the do a quick lap of honour.

Ken Bitson goes and has a chat with a surprised Gareth Davies and Josh Navidi, Jamie Roberts gives us a fine selfie but doesn't seem to believe us when we tell him we'll see him in Samoa

Warriors flag (yes the big one) getting close to the action

Jamie Roberts, various Warriors and a photo bombing old kiwi

Despite the entertainment of a big group of Samoans wearing bucket helmets wandering around (!) there is a steady trickle away from the stadium in search of warmth.

We follow the mantra of "Support the local rugby club" - Eden RFC it is then.

The only guy there is Tony the Tongan (who claims he is the King of Tonga). He may be the only one there but he has probably made it worth the club opening on his own as he is heroically drunk. Grav works out some common acquaintances while everyone else tries to warm up with cold beer and waits for our bus....

If only we had a choirmaster...

HRH Tony the Tongan

Normal service resumes

Jamie phones bus - no answer (x8)

eventually Jamie goes off in search of transport and returns having commandeered a bus. It looks barley better than no bus but we get board through the exhaust fumes and black smoke. Meanwhile Tony also decides to call it a night and heads for his car (!!!)

Barley awake, most head for home, only the brave and the foolish decide perhaps there is time for another pint at Father Ted's. The highlight is lineout lifting an unsuspecting couple who are very muc in lust and barely notice being lifted.