SHAUN EDWARDS LOST WALES

There is a pretty good tale behind this but it only happened the other day and I feel as if I should try and take things in some sort of chronological order, I know that some of you reading this are not that bright so I wouldn't want to confuse you all too much.

Had a nice last couple of days up in Paihia, including watching the Welsh get robbed by the French, add the Welsh to the list of people who now know what it feels like. The sun did eventually come out in Paihia which of course meant getting a wee bit sunburnt, happy times. Walked the trail to the Huraru falls a couple of times and just generally relaxed with a couple of books, was definitely good to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days.

It was back to Auckland on Sunday morning on the bus to catch the All Blacks vs Australia semi final, I kinda wanted the Aussies to win. The All Black fans are becoming increasingly smug as the tournament goes on and I feel like they kinda need taken down a peg or two. Then again, the atmosphere at the fanzone watching the game was pretty special and that'll only be better tonight for the final. After the game went out for a few beers with Chris and Duncan from the Tuatara crew and Dan, a guy that I met up with in Paihia. Duncan performed the Teletubby haka, which is a work of genius and I'll update it to facebook when I get a chance. Basically doing the haka but instead of Maori being the language, only the names of the Teletubbies are used. I laughed.

Quiet couple of days after that before heading out on the Wednesday night as Duncan was heading off to Oz , so yeah a nice few shandies that night as well. And yes, I know that you are all reading this thinking that I do nothing apart from go out for beers but that'll all change once I start heading off on the Kiwi Experience bus on Wednesday.

Friday was a good day, other than having to do business with the dictionary definition of "ticket tout". Some smarmy cockney k*** who decided I was Welsh (I was wearing my British Lions top, which ok looks a bit like a Wales top but I'd seen this guy earlier in the tournament in the same Lions top, anyway) and greeted me with "all right Taff", I couldn't be bothered setting him straight. Then he asked my name and if I wanted a ticket, "Euan, and yeah if you've got anything for $100". "Right Hughie, I'll ring you if I get one". Again, couldn't be bothered setting him straight. Anyway, the upshot was that I saw him later in the day he offered me a $200 ticket for $150, I said $100, he said $125, I said $100, he said ok. So ended up with really good seats for the 3rd/4th place playoff between the Welsh and the Aussies and it was a pretty decent game in the end, first half poor, 2nd half better. It now also means that I've been to more rugby matches in New Zealand than I have in the UK. Managed to bag a programme for Taff in the Chien as well so that'll hopefully be some pints when I get home. Oh yeah, the Shaun Edwards thing as well. For those of you who don't know (quite a lot I would think), Shaun Edwards is the Welsh defense coach. I saw him on the other side of the road in his Welsh trackie and was pretty sure it was him. He looked a bit confused. Anyway, I was wearing my Lions top so I guess he thought I might be able to help him. The thick North-West of England accent confirmed it was Edwards. "Have you seen the Welsh boys going up that way" he asked. "Eh, the team???" now it was me who was confused. "Yeah". "Eh no mate. Why? Have you lost them?" "Eh yeah I have". So there you have it Shaun Edwards managed to lose the Welsh rugby team in downtown Auckland.

Went racing at Ellerslie yesterday, as I said on Facey'B, some very pretty Fillies on the go and the ones in the paddock were ok as well. Disasterous tipping from me though, 10 races, not one winner, didn't even get a 2nd but there were some massive priced winners and I had a cracking day out anyway. Difference with racing here was pretty marked. Only $10 to get in which is about a fiver, 10 race card, didn't ever feel ripped off for food and drinks, plenty facilities, plenty room. Only thing that sucked was the lack of form, which was obviously why I couldnt get a winner. The Cox Plate was then being run in Australia in the evening and there was a kiwi horse quite fancied in it, the Bookies was going mental when it led coming round the home turn but it got done on the line.

Today it's time to chill out and soak up the atmosphere for the RWC final, can't believe that it's almost finished. Last 7 weeks have kinda flown past and although the travelling has been a bit stop start its still been great, not sure that anything would ever top an RWC in NZ.

So it's on the road from Wednesday, think that the first activity will be zorbing, which involves being thrown down a big hill in a big inflatable ball full of water. Happy times.

Take care all.