All Blacks Rugby

Not being shy (historically) about cheering on our teams we dove right in and embraced the All Blacks -- New Zealand's International Rugby team. Now, we are the first to admit that becoming All Blacks fans is far from a dangerous position. They are currently the first place team in the world, and arguably, the most feared and revered team there is.  I have always been an AB fan right down to insisting Brandon pick up an All Blacks jersey on his trip to NZ years ago. Julie has been slower on the uptake, understanding little about Rugby, but she is making great strides in understanding the nuances of the game and everything All Black she can google -- and let's just agree, that girl can google and google and google.

All rugged and geared up for the match

Step One in our All Blacks adventure was landing some tickets -- which we did, although more on that later.  We got Section 1, Row MM, seats 10 and 11 through some site called viagogo.  More on that later, however, if you cannot be bothered to read any more, don't support this website!

Step Two was a visit to the All Blacks fan store to load up on some AB gear. We love our fan gear and if we are "in", we are all the way "in". We scored a jacket and a hat (Jeff) and a sweatshirt and a scarf (Julie).  We really loved our new clothing and were thrilled knowing that we could prevent ourselves from freezing to death (#drama), and/or, getting soaked to the bone. Got back to our hotel and started rugging up.  

I layered up with wool socks, black shoes, jeans with black Mountain Hardwear pants over them, a shorts-sleeve tee, a long-sleeve tee, a sweater, and my new AB jacket.  Oh yeah, and my hat. This was all too perfect until we noticed that the store security tag (that big plastic thing designed to make the door alarm go crazy) had not been removed.  Fortunately, the hood on the jacket covered the plastic device so away we went without worrying about it.

Julie had on two pair of leggings/sweatpants, pants over them, a few t-shirts, her new sweatshirt, wool socks, her scarf, gloves, and a beret.  You can see us just above.  Comfortable, warm and ready for any weather.

We made the walk to the stadium which is about a 20-minute walk from our hotel.  It was cool and windy though not really wet.  There were masses of people everywhere but it was still pretty tolerable. We got to the part where you scan your tickets for entry only to learn that they did not work.  We were sent to the ticket booth where we learned that the tickets were scam tickets.  Hence, beware of viagogo!  Fortunately we were eventually able to buy two tickets and get into the game. Same price, and interestingly, nearly the identical seats.  This time we were in Section 36, Row MM, Seats 10 and 11 -- that is the section right next door to Section 1 -- same row, same seats.  

Second row off the field

We didn't have any idea that our seats were second row off the field but felt lucky to be there at all, let alone so close to the field.  We were so close that Julie even managed to touch the game ball after a kick.  

The game itself was great.  Of course, the All Blacks won, though just like in the previous game (first game of the season against the same team), penalties in the AB's favour impacted the outcome of the game.  The temperature in the stadium was much warmer than outside... no rain... no wind... no dramas.

35,000 people and two exits

Like I said earlier, there were a tonne of people at this event.  I thought the stadium was just meh, maybe alright.  Imagine, 35,000 people spread over 36 sections, and the only way in and out was a wide gate between sections 18 and 19.  Everyone was forced into this narrow funnel coming in, or worse, going out.  That was a bit obnoxious.

The walk home was wet, windy and cold and we were thrilled to finally hit the room afterward.  Shedding all of those layers, now wet, and collapsing into bed (feeling light as a feather) was quite nice.  Love the All Blacks... looking forward to the next match in September.  Go AB!

P.S. - we are still Duck fans at heart.  Go Ducks. Win The Day.