Day 28 Auckland Incheon

We will be home tomorrow. Melly was back to his normal self, he had us up at 4.30am. All packed and on the bus for Auckland Airport at 5.15am. Flying long distance is about eating and sleeping. The boys are accomplished at both. We arrived at Incheon international airport Korea at 9.30pm. We got a bus transfer to the nearby Hyatt Regency hotel. Very pleasantly surprised with our opulent surroundings. This hotel lifestyle will be just be a memory as tomorrow the end of the tour is nigh.

The Mr. C team needs to be revealed at this stage. Our chief photographer has been the one and only Mr. O’Brien, Pob to the boys. Writers have been Mr. Brew, Mr. Newsome and editor in chief Mr. Corbett. Many thanks for your comments and feedback to our blog. Keep and eye on this space over the coming months. We might get a chance to follow the senior cup team next season. And finally the biggest thank you has to go to Mr. Andrew Melville for organizing an absolutely wonderful tour, which has passed off without a hitch. He has introduced us to the sights and delights of New Zealand leaving us with long lasting memories and an urging to return some day.

Day 27 Auckland

Our last full day in New Zealand. We left the hotel at ten for a quick drive around
the outskirts of the city. Then to Mt. Eden for a view of Auckland’s stunning
cityscape. This dormant volcano sits proudly over the city on the opposite side
of the bay. From here we could see our next destination, the under‐construction
Eden Park, which will host the 2011 World Cup Final. Sadly we were a week late
for the Australia match but nice to see the ground non‐the‐less. Here we got to
see their Hall of Legends, the corporate boxes and, surprisingly, some ex‐Irish
international memorabilia. After seeing the Park it was time for lunch and
shopping. Yes, I know! Shopping on a rugby trip! But then again, that may mean
some good presents for the rest of the family. For this we headed to Dress Smart
Outlet Mall in the burbs. No Uggs but plenty of rugby gear. An invite from
Auckland Grammar saw three of the teachers visit the school. The Deputy
Headmaster, Mr. Mark Vella, and the Headmaster Mr. John Morris kindly
welcomed us to the school. Both recounted found memories of the exchange
programme between the two schools in the 90’s. Mr. Allan Faull Director of
International students at the school also had many stories to tell of the
Newbridge boy’s time in Auckland. Now the hard bit, back to the hotel to pack
and get under the weight restriction. Dinner and a chance to take in the last
sights of the city was followed by an early night in preparation for tomorrows
early start.

Day 26 Auckland

On the wind down. The boys had the morning off. Most headed for the nearby
Queen Street with its many shopping arcades, and food halls. The boys will find
it difficult to relax when they get home after the hectic schedule they have
followed for the past four weeks. In the afternoon we all headed off to the Go‐
Karting. The boys were divided into groups of four and the frenzied 160 laps of
racing began. The winners were Cormac Dillon, Ronan O’Neachtain, Conor
Browne and Kevyn Mahon. On return we headed for Auckland’s Sky Tower
(Claimed to be the highest in the Southern Hemisphere) where we dined in
comfort with a buffet meal. We must mention that on our arrival in Auckland we
were welcomed to the city by Michael Hickey, a very active member of the Irish
club here in town. The Irish consulate had contacted him, having been tipped off
we were coming, by the embassy in Canberra. He offered to help us out in any
way he could. A bus was provided and paid for to bring us to the Go‐karting
track and it will also be available to us tomorrow. We thank Michael and the
Irish club in Auckland for their kindness and generosity to us.
Thanks for all your comments on the blog.

Day 25 Auckland

Final match day. Auckland Grammar. Newbridge College has had a long relationship with Auckland Grammar. Geordan Murphy and Tony Buckley went to school here along with many more of our boys. They are still fondly remembered here. Enough reminiscing. Match details. Our second team played a very closely fought game against a lively and well organised Auckland Grammar selection. At half time Auckland led by 13 points to 3, having controlled the ball for most of the half. However as with most New Zealand sides, they had difficulty dealing with our ability to kick and find space. A second half fight back ensued, testament to the boys pride in their unbeaten recored to date. Tries from Conor McHugh and Cormac Finan resulted in the match being decided by a conversion attempt from our last try. Alas the kick drifted narrowly wide and we had to settle for a one point defeat 16 points to 15. Best forward for Newbridge was Daniel Tinsley and best back was Cathal Maguire. The second game was a different matter. From the start of the warm up our firsts were focused on their big day against Auckland Grammar. As it turned out, Auckland were no match for us on the day and we ran out easy winners 64 points to 5. While this was an easy victory the boys turned in their best performance of the tour showing some excellent handling and outstanding continuity play. However it was the pace of our boys that the opposition couldn’t handle. Best forward for us was Conor Thompson and best back was Sam Coughlan-Murray with a tally of four tries. We retired to the Hockey pavilion for a post match reception where we were treated royally. We have no doubt that our visit here today will strengthen the bond between the two schools. Long may it continue.

Day 24 Rotorua Auckland

Our last travel day but one. Destination Auckland. The boys are experts at packing now. Rooms are emptied bags packed and on the bus with a minimum of fuss. En route to Auckland we passed through Hamilton home to the Waikato chiefs rugby team. On over the Bombay hills (South of here doesn’t count for the big city folk) and into the metropolis. Auckland Grammer is situated on Mount Eden. We get a glimpse of our opponents home for tomorrow. Our home for the next four days is a fourteen storey hotel in the heart of the city. Two blocks away form the Auckland Sky Tower. A short walk down Queen Street and a quick team meeting close to the harbour. Dinner, lots of choices, a bit worrying, McDonalds. KFC, Dominos all visible from the hotel. To bed and ready for match day tomorrow. An undefeated tour record to defend. Tomorrows teams are:

1^st 15 v Auckland Grammer: Conor Thompson, Eoin Howlin, James Tracey, Jack Cantillon, Ciaran O’Neachtain, Marcus Duke, Rob O’Connor, Ronan Mangan, Marc Crowe, Conor Browne, Adrian Dunne, Cormac Dillon, Sam Coughlan Murray, Kevyn Mahon, Gary Burns.

2^nd 15 v Auckland Grammer: Ciaran Boyle, Conor McHugh, David Rigney, James Doyle, Jamie Davis, Daniel Tinsley, Finnian Logan, William O’Brien, Peter Osborne, Ronan O’Neachtain, Jake O’Connor, David Moynihan, Chris McCarthy, Cathal Maguire, Michael Brown.

Day 23 Rotorua

Today was all about rugby, well most of it. A visit to the New Zealand Sports Academy, home to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Team and home for the Irish team in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The academy players sang a traditional Maori welcome and then performed their own haka, which was both impressive and intimidating. The morning was about individual skills. Coaches for the session were Jim Love, former New Zealand Maori and Tonga coach and Daryl Shelford, former New Zealand Maori player and brother of former all black captain Wayne. Clearly the boys bedefitted from a fresh perspective and Maori approach as to how the game should be played. In the afternoon the boys got a chance to run out against the Academy team in a practice game. They more than held their own in what turned into a lively session. The session concluded with a visit to a Maori village where we were treated to another Hangi. Th e boys relaxed in the hotel pool and had some free time in the town of Rotorua.

Day 22 Taupo Rotorua

I doubt he’s turning soft. Think it might have something to do with the All Black victory last night! But we got a third lie in, in a row today. This time we would be making the short trip to the Maori homeland of Rotorua. But first a stop just outside Taupo to see the impressive Huka Falls on the Waikato River. When we reached Rotorua we headed directly to Waiora or Hells Gate (the English name given to the area by Ireland’s own GB Shaw when he came here) for our first taste of the thermal pool, and the smell, which make the area famous. Here we had a tour of some thermal and mud pools with Brian, our informative and interesting guide. Clear explanations of the science behind what’s going on, every chemist/geologists dream. After the theory, now the practice. To ease the weary bones a dip in the thermal baths. Back at our hotel an impromptu, but light, training session in the car park with forwards and back working separately. Finishing up in time for dinner, the group were treated to a tradition Maori meal, a Hangi, and an exhibition of traditional singing and dancing. We also managed to have some of the group be part of the audience participation. Don’t worry, photos and video will be available from all those quick enough to get cameras out. A relaxed evening, as the preparation begins for our final game on tour.

O

Day 21 Wellington Taupo

Another
lie
in.

Is
Melly’s
getting
soft?

Filing
up
with
breakfast
and
then
on
the
road
by
half
ten.

Lake
Taupo
our
destination.

After
leaving
the
sprawling
suburbs
of
Wellington
we
travelled
through
the
rolling
hills
of
the
North
Island.

A
stop
in
the
remote,
and
oddly
named,
Flat
Hills
Café
for
lunch
and
a
stretch.

We
were
half
way.

As
we
continued
up
through
the
mountains
of
the
central
North
Island
some
of
our
group
awoke
surprised
to
see
snow
(which
we
had
left
behind
some
days
ago
in
Queenstown),

Just
after
four
we
pulled
into
our
accommodation
sitting
on
the
edge
of
a
choppy
Lake
Taupo.

This
lake
is
New
Zealand’s
largest
and
was
formed
by
a
volcanic
eruption
in186AD.
Dinner
was
followed
by
the
first
of
this
seasons
Tri‐Nations
games,
New
Zealand
against
Australia,
being
played
up
the
road
in
Auckland.



Day 20 Wellington

A lie in. Alleluia praise be to God. Up at 9.00am down for breakfast. A bus transfer to Te Papa (Our Place) Wellington’s top Museum. New Zealand was uninhabited by humans until some Polynesians arrived 700 hundred years ago. The Maori have a rich culture which is respected by the modern day New Zealander. The Museum reflects this, which is hopefully evident from our photos. A short break for lunch in the City, followed by a workout in Bodyworks gym, used by the Wellington Hurricanes, and also the All Blacks when in town. Dinner in the hotel was followed by a relaxing evening at the cinema.

Day 19 Christchurch Wellington

Andrew got us up at the ungodly hour of 6am but there was method to his madness. Destination Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital City, on the Southern tip of the North Island. En route a unique experience Whale watching in Kaikoura. A speedy trip out to the deep ocean, feeding grounds for Sperm Whales. Sophisticated sonar equipment had us viewing whales within minutes. We have the photos to prove it. Enough of that onto view a moxy load (500+) of Dusky Dolphins. We have the photos to prove it. Finally closer to shore we got to see some New Zealand Fur seals feeding and doing what they do best, basking. After lunch in the town a drive to Picton to catch the ferry. Across the Cook Straits to Wellington and into our accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 18 Christchurch

Match day four. Up against St. Bedes a catholic school based in Christchurch with a long tradition of Rugby. 850 boys with 150 boarders, St. Bedes are playing in the final of the Press Cup, the premier competition for schools on the South Island, this Saturday. Consequently our firsts played a team made up primarily of seconds players. This didn’t take away from the intensity of the game and the first half turned out to be a very physical battle. The only score came from the boot of Conor Browne to give us a three point lead. The second half was equally tough but we defended heroically at times to keep our line in tact. We then took a commanding lead when Kevyn Mahon crashed over to score. St Bedes came roaring back and set up a tense finish when their outhalf went over with 10 minutes remaining. St Bedes also strengthened their team by bringing on five more first team players. Once again it was our defence which was under the microscope but we held on for a great win by 8 points to 5. Players of the game were James Tracey and Conor Browne.

The seconds took on the St. Bedes thirds to start the days fixtures at half 1. A nervous start saw us fall behind just two minutes in. A try for St. Bedes gave them a 5 point lead. We settled into the game after this and some good hands in the backs saw Peter Osborne level the game with a well worked try. Unfortunately he missed the conversion. Despite having much of the ball in the first half it would finish 10:5 to St. Bedes as they crossed with 5 minutes remaining in the half. A focused side started the second half and as time passed we looked more and more likely to score. But a ruck near our line saw an unusual penalty try decision which put the home team 17:5 up. But far from letting heads drop we lifted our game and a great twenty minutes followed. Cathal Maguire crossed to make it 17:10 and with time running out Cormac Dillon went under the posts. Osborne’s conversion squared the game. The home team put in a late surge but deciding to run a last play penalty instead of kicking saw the game end with a knock on and a 17 all draw. Finnian Logan was named forward of the game and Cormac Dillon back of the game. Dillon was also named player of the day.

On a point of information, we believe that there are reports of an earthquake on the south island. Be assured that we are all alive and well and the only injuries in the squad were suffered during today’s game!