Day One - 29 Dec 2009

Despite a few anxious phone calls after airports were fogged in, all members of the touring party arrived in Auckland as scheduled.

The first training run was successfully completed at Auckland University Rugby Club and everyone, including management, made it through in one piece.

In the interests of team bonding and getting to know the people you are going to be living with for the next two weeks, squad members and family attended a barbeque at Takapuna. The event was kindly hosted by John Webber. After some speeches by John and Jeff Wilson which were mildly disparaging of the coach, Jeff presented the players with their jerseys and training gear. Christmas came twice in 4 days.

A good evening was had by all and encouragingly for the manager the stated dose was not exceeded by anyone.


Henry Yortt, Jeff, Tyler Hammond, Nick Annear and Mitchell Graham after the presentations.

Harder Stadium

The venue for the two games v US under 20's:

UC Santa Barbara's Harder Stadium

Meet the Fooseballers Part Oh Oh Niner

NAME: Sam Hall
NICKNAME: Gootus
FAVOURITE SUPER HERO: Captain Planet
FAVOURITE REFRESHING BEVERAGE: Heiny
FAVOURITE FOOD: Steak and baked potatoes
STRANGEST PLACE EVER WOKE UP: The bushes outside the Cook
DREAM CAREER: Ski photographer
ELLE McPHERSON OR GISELE BUNDCHEN? Gisele
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH (ALIVE OR DEAD): Jimmy Carr, Mohammed Ali, Tanner Hall
SOUTH PARK OR ANCHORMAN? South Park
BOOK NOT CONNECTED WITH STUDY YOU LAST READ: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
IF YOU WON $25 MILLION IN LOTTO, FIRST PURCHASE WOULD BE: A house on the beach....like everyone.

NICKNAME: Drew
FAVOURITE SUPER HERO: Super Man
FAVOURITE REFRESHING BEVERAGE: Dr Pepper
FAVOURITE FOOD: Crayfish or Steak
STRANGEST PLACE EVER WOKE UP: Taupo
DREAM CAREER: Professional rugby player
ELLE McPHERSON OR GISELE BUNDCHEN? Gisele
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH (ALIVE OR DEAD):Richie McCaw, Angelina Jolie, Muhammad Ali
SOUTH PARK OR ANCHORMAN? : Anchorman
BOOK NOT CONNECTED WITH STUDY YOU LAST READ: Crossfire
IF YOU WON $25 MILLION IN LOTTO, FIRST PURCHASE WOULD BE: First class ticket around the world.

NAME: Mathew Gordon
NICKNAME: Flash
FAVOURITE SUPER HERO: The Flash
FAVOURITE REFRESHING BEVERAGE: What ever goes down well at the time
FAVOURITE FOOD: Pizza
STRANGEST PLACE EVER WOKE UP: Been lucky to make it home always, wouldn't have a clue how sometimes though
DREAM CAREER: All Blacks conditioning coach
ELLE McPHERSON OR GISELE BUNDCHEN? Both but Gisele if only 1
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH (ALIVE OR DEAD): Michal Jordon, Michal Jackson and Arnold Schwarzenegger
SOUTH PARK OR ANCHORMAN? South park
BOOK NOT CONNECTED WITH STUDY YOU LAST READ: Book? What's a book?
IF YOU WON $25 MILLION IN LOTTO, FIRST PURCHASE WOULD BE: Open bar at the bridge for a night