Wellington - Westpac Stadium (The Cake Tin)

Excellent pictures, Chris.

I was there in 2002 for a Super 12 (as it then was) game between the Hurricanes and Cats (from South Africa). Tana Umaga played alongside Jonah Lomu and Jerry Collins (later, of course, to play for Barnstaple 2nd XV at Newton Abbot). Not into rugby but enjoyed the match - although a little disappointed by the flat "stadium atmosphere" and the level of disinterest amongst many of the spectators. I wish I'd seen a more raw version of Kiwi rugby out in the sticks with plenty of mud and rain.



This was originally a trip to watch cricket but, because of weather and other distractions, I only managed to see a few hours of play at Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. I also saw football in Brisbane (Gap Gators v Queensland Lions) and Canterbury United v Manawatu in the NZ National League (next to the Commonwealth Games Stadium in Christchurch).

Then came my Easter Ground Hop of which I'm rather proud. Note that I travelled to all three fixtures by Stagecoach bus.

Easter Friday 2002

Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland. The now defunct Kingz v Adelaide City Force which settled the battle for bottom place in that season's Australian National Soccer League. Kingz - for whom Sean Devine later played after leaving Exeter - were the NZ "franchise" team of the time, a role now filled by Wellington Phoenix. Eagle-eyed observers may occasionally spot me wearing a Kingz ski-hat.



Easter Saturday 2002

A rain-interupted day at Eden Park which NZ finished on 151-5 - mainly remembered for Andy Caddick's 200th test wicket. NZ eventually won by 78 runs.



Easter Monday 2002

Well it was on the way home, wasn't it? The time difference obviously helped and - I'll tell you what - it was the best spectacle of the three:



And, finally, from a book featuring NZ sporting records, some results you may have missed: