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.