Hot Steamy Men and Naked Women - New Zealand Rugby at Its Best

This past weekend we traveled to Christchurch to see the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, play Ireland's team.  It was a chilly night, damp but not raining (yeah!).   The city was pulsing with excitement for the game, which was extra special because it was the first national rugby match held in Christchurch since the major earthquakes last year. 

We had some inside help with logistics and trying to figure out what the hec was happening on the field because Tom, Julia, Maise and Tim went with us.  I sat next to Maise, who at 11, gave me all sorts of tips on what to cheer about and what to yell out.  Heave!  All Blacks!  etc.

The All Blacks start the game with the Huka - a traditional Maori war dance which is so cool.  The Irish had a good showing in the stands and acted quite....Irish!  (Alcohol consumption = louder chanting and yelling for your team).  Both teams played well and the score was 19-19 with seconds to go, when the All Blacks star kicked the ball through the end posts to win the game.  I probably have all sorts of terminology wrong but you get the idea, I hope. 

The game is mind boggling with the amount of tackling and lack of protective gear.  It was awesome to see the entire field, which you can't see on TV, to get a better sense of the plays and strategy.  To say that it's an extremely physical game is an enormous understatement. 

The mens legs are similar in size to tree trunks and they wear short shorts, which show them off quite nicely.  I'm not sure how cute their faces remain after years of play.  I'm sure they get pretty beat up.

Half time entertainment included a completely naked woman streaker.  The poor guards who had to catch her and get her off the field, she had no modesty and was wiggling out of their hold.  It took three of them to get her off the field.  It was hysterical.




Pre game prep

Maisie and I - face painted up - Go Blacks!

Lea and Maisie - nice team support girls!

The silver fern is their symbol - lit up at the start of the game.

The "new" stadium - the former stadium was ruined by the earthquake.  This stadium has been modified for larger matches.  It was the first time the All Blacks played at this stadium. Note that there isn't much distance from the fans to the field.  The ball went into the stands often, but always was tossed back onto the field.

The start of the game - the national anthem, sung in Maori and then English - couldn't follow either language!

The Haka - must be odd to be the opposing team - what do you do?  The war dance includes bulging eyes and sticking the tongue out really far. 

See video below

Pile up!  The ball isn't in the middle of this any longer.

The steam is coming off the players - it was a crazy sight.

The hot men were steamy!

I actually figured out when and why this type of play occurred.  Only I forget what this is called.

There actually is a fair amount of time that the players are not piled on top of one another.

Another steam pile - Number 10 is a star - Dan Carter - he also kicked the winning points with no time left on the clock and a tie score.  He's a NZ rugby hero. 

And a little half time show - right at our end of the field.  She ran on and shed the last of her clothes-her bra.  These poor guys probably didn't know where to grab her and she wiggled out of their hold a couple of times.  Finally one guy threw a coat over her. 

Then this mate had to go collect her bra off the field!

Another heave over the end line. Points for the All Blacks. 

Back to the huddle and the steaminess of it all. 

And on the way home, the next day, another New Zealand classic.  This farmer was training his sheep dogs with all sorts of whistling.