All Blacks 36 v England 12

Eden Park Auckland
19 June 2004

After the resounding victory by the All Blacks over England in Dunedin much was expected of the Auckland encounter. Well we got it. A sending off, 5 All Black tries and a stiffer English performance, keeping the scoreline tighter than in Dunedin.

It all started for us on the Thursday night with a tour of Eden Park with Mark (ex Carisbrook groundsman). We visited the flash NBR box, took photos from stadium seats of the English players practising kicks, went to the museum area, walked on the pitch with the English players still there.

Had the lights turned out on us, contemplated jumping in the spa pool in the All Blacks changing room and left notes for the English players in their changing room. Great time had by all, particularly my little mate Josh and the night did kick on. Rung in the fish and chips and proceeded to have a few beers and a few yarns with Mark and his groundmen. Out comes the beer bong - well done Mark for giving it a go!

Friday saw the team venture to the AJ Hackett 'Bach' down next to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Despite the conditions the team were well up for the jump with Liz winning the best jump award. BBQ followed and more fun and games at the Globe bar.

The Saturday tour saw us take in Mission Bay, Bastion Point, Mt Eden, Speights Ale House and the inter-school match between Mt Albert Grammar and Auckland Grammar School. Slap on the face paint back at the Globe Bar then off to the match.

The sending off did take something out of the contest. A yellow card would have sufficed (despite the stupid rather than violent act of Mr Shaw) and kept the contest more even.

Once the All Blacks settled down they scored some fine tries with dead-eye-dick Dan Carter kicking them over from all over the park.

All Blacks 36 J Rococoko (3), D Carter, C Spencer tries. Carter 4 conversions, 1 penalty

England 12 C Hogson 4 penalties

Halftime 10-6

Man of the match had to be Smokin' Joe 'the rocketman' Rococoko who gracefully put himself in the right place to nab three further tries as well as setting up Dan Carter's first half effort.

Prize winners

Facepaint - Cason Penner with his Maple Leaf scored the AJ Hackett jump. Nothing to do with the match we were about to watch but liked it!

First try scorer (Dan Carter) - Lousie Sampson scooped the pool on this one

Pick-the-score - Neil Bernadi with his 36-5 pick was the closest. Neil won the All Black replica jersey and pulled it on straight away. Looking good man.

We are next on for the All Blacks - Aussie encounter in Wellington. It does not get any bigger than the Bledisloe Cup and no better place than the party capital Wellington and the WestpacTrust Stadium to host it.

See you there on July 17, 2004.