Day 18

I feel slightly guilty about how we spent the first part of the day today...we did nothing during the day! We relaxed around the motel in Northcote, wandered down to the supermarket and then relaxed some more, and it was lovely!

After 17 packed days, it was nice to take an afternoon off and recharge, to regain the energy that we would need for the final week of the tour, and it felt good.

It wasn't to be a full day off though, we still had the minor matter of a game of Rugby to attend in the evening. this time, South Africa Vs Samoa at the North Harbour Stadium.

Suitably recharged, we boarded a bus from just outside our accomodation to Takapuna, and then a free shuttle bus to the Stadium.

Once again, the organisation of the free buses to the Stadium was second to none. Other countires could learn something from the way things were handled by those in charge out here.

The stadium was slow to fill, but once it did the atmosphere was amazing, The Samoan fans were very vocal from the outset and only got louder as their team gave the South Africans a real run for their money, and looked like they could turn them over. A result which few could have argued with had it happened. Unfortunately, it wasnt to be, and South Africa ended up winning the game somehow, but what a game it was.

We soaked up the atmosphere after the game for a bit before making our journey back to the motel, ready for our last full day in Auckland tomorrow.