A trip that started with a half four flight on Wednesday from Dublin finished at 9am local time Auckland, stretching 30 hours and 3 different flights. While it is the trip of a lifetime, a real added bonus was the fact that Dublin- Heathrow was courtesy of British Midlands. A tear was certainly not shed for Ryanair! The flight to Hong Kong was fraught with danger, as within a 10 seat radius there were at least 3 infants. Thankfully they were on best behaviour, and the sleeping tablet I took meant that I could have been oblivious to them anyway. The inflight safety video was novel, featuring the All Blacks players and coaches, a little cheesy perhaps (Graham Henry claiming anyone caught smoking will be dropped), but seeing as it is the only safety video I have actually watched and listened to, it serves it’s purpose.
With only a two hour wait in Hong Kong, I attempted to savour as much of the local culture as possible, so the Double Quarter pounder meal in McDonalds did the trick. The last leg there was little or no sleep, and it seemed to be the same for the other Irish, and the many Welsh on the plane. After getting a taxi from the airport to the hotel, we were told that I was to ring a representative from Puma. Part of the competition was to go to the team hotel and meet the players. We were led to believe the best time for that would be Sunday, after the match against Australia, but no sooner had we arrived in the door, then we were told by Puma that the best time to meet and greet was today before lunch So off we went to the Irish hotel, so much for catch up sleep!
As we made our way to the hotel, our hosts Ciaran and Mike were telling us how strict the branding is during the World Cup. Paul O’Connell has had to change gumshields as the one he had was branded, and the England Rugby Union are facing a hefty fine as the numbers on the back of their jerseys were falling off in the Argentina game, a major faux pas. The team had not finished their training session when we arrived, so we were chatting to a couple of Irish supporters who got wind of the team’s location. After a camera malfunction of our own, we were glad to see that they had one, and managed to take a few snaps for us. First man collared was Ronan O’Gara, who even made a self depreciating comment about being only a sub for the game tomorrow. Was happy to sign a jersey for a fellow Cork man! Geordan Murphy, Tom Court, Mike Ross, Paddy Wallace were next in line. Rob Kearney strolled down the stairs in a towel, cue our two female companions jumping off their seats to get a picture. Sarah seemed pleased enough with herself to get a picture, though she has an insight that a lot of people might not know, he shaves his chest. You heard it here first.
We then got to have lunch in the inner sanctum, with the 30 players and 20 management staff. Firstly, after a diet of aeroplane food, we didn’t need to be asked twice. Quite the spread was laid out. The room is quite relaxed, 6 or 7 round tables, lads popping in and out with the masseuses, a telly and couches in the corner, though the ping pong table seems to be the focal point. Heaslip was ruling the roost at the time. All the management team were very interested in the competition I had won (also, why were in the room in the first place I’d imagine), and Rala, the legendary kitman, was all chat.
With our Puma hosts having to go back to work, it was time for us to leave, and with our bellies full. A great start to the first day in Auckland. Now to get an hours sleep, and then head down town for the All Blacks match this evening. Hoping the weather picks up, there are frequent showers and it’s windy, so my decision not to bring a jacket looks to have been a misguided one.
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