Kiwiagogoland

Well it didn't take long. We get to go to our first NZ rugby match this weekend. It's all Nicki's idea. She has been talking with a colleague at work who goes to the matches and as kids go free this weekend, she thought we should take a look. It will be my first ever rugby match. It's quarter finals - so that should see a strong crowd ( maybe 10,000 ) to see Canterbury take on Tasman in the Air New Zealand Cup. I can't figure out how it works as its a league of 12 teams, but they only play 6 or so home matches, before getting to the finals ???

A slighly different league as just finished with Manly taking on Storm - both Aussie teams, but there was huge interest as the "Warriors" from Auckland made the semis.

In the new year Canterbury gets replaced by the Crusaders - this time its a 14 team league with 6 home matches, and a season ticket buys you into both teams games ...... If you can't work it out take a look at Canterbury & Crusaders Rugby

The weekend continues with TV coverage of the motor racing. Dominating the saturday and sunday TV, there is coverage of warm-ups, qualifying, practice and race coverage for the Bathurst V8 Supercars where even the Saturday night film keeps the focus - 2 fast 2 furious! The race website looks amazing and you can watch the live data panels as the race unfolds.

If its anything like the NZ Rally coverage we should be in for a treat - yes they even covered that with more than a UK token gesture of a 30 minute slot at 5 minutes to midnight!

Anyway, for those not into sport - Georgia's camera photos have been uploaded with the flight from Sydney to Christchurch, so you can see our approach as we crossed the West Coast.