It's a small world

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Arrived back in Auckland from Christchurch on time (we are using Jet Star airlines an Easy Jet equivalent, so far so good and much, much cheaper than Air New Zealand)
Our host once again kindly picked us up and we arrived back in Glenfield in time for lunch.
Plenty of time until the first semi final (21:00 KO) so it's all the domestice chores i.e. laundry to be done.
Lovely relaxed lunch at the house where we are staying and then preparations begin. I've decided to support Wales so it's on with the red shirt and we head off into Auckland. George has to meet up with a contact as he's due to hand over tickets to a welsh supporting aquaintance who decided on Monday to fly over for the semi final!
We had dinner at a restaurant on the quay called Wildfire. It's the kind where they keep bringing skewers of all sorts of meat which you can keep eating till you burst. Very nice too washed down with Speights ale (I do wish they could make a beer that tasted nice at room temperature, this cold stuff is not good. Oh for a pint of Chiltern Ale at the Royal Oak!)
Once the tickets were done we headed for another address in Kingsland (10 minutes from the stadium) where George had agreed to drop off some final tickets that Chris (the barman from the Bunker in Queenstown - do keep up!) didn't want anymore. He had a friend, Craig, in Auckland who could get rid of them so we duly made our way to his apartment. After many a twist and turn we eventually found Craig waiting for us. At that moment a young lady stepped out of the door and turned to me and said "Hi Simon, fancy seeing you here!" Well you could've knocked me down with a feather! It was Heidi, daughter of Jens who 'occasionally' sups an ale or two in the aforementioned Royal Oak!!! Talk about coincidence.
A beer at Craigs apartment with some Kiwis and a couple of random French people (very hospitable these kiwis) and then off to the match. As we sat down the heavens opened and for the rest of the match I sat in a cold puddle. That didn't, however, spoil the match (the ref did that) The atmosphere was brilliant with all fans from both sides mixing amiably (why can't football fans do that?)
The sending off was pivotal. They're still taking about it on the radio as I type. By the strict letter of the law the ref was right but there have been other tackles like that that weren't punished. The Welsh fought well and could have won it. Back on the free bus to the North of Auckland and then a quick taxi back to Glenfield. Because the kick offs are so late there's no time for celebrations etc after the match.
Tomorrow it's the big one. Really looking forward to the All Blacks v The Wallabies. Our host is even more nervous than I get!

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Photos

Fan Zone
Auckland