All Blacks Pummel Australia

After hearing Colin's rugby stories, there is no way I'm going to miss the big NZ vs. Australia match. I plan to watch with some people I met this week. I'm under the impression our group will be mixed gender and mixed levels of sports knowledge, but it is just me, 3 British guys and 1 Kiwi guy who are very into rugby. We go to a hole-in-the-wall pub, Dog's Bollocks, and they immediately order whiskey. I wonder if this was a smart idea. I mentally re-trace the route home in case I need to leave. But I hold my own :) The pub quickly fills up, and everyone happily sings along to the national anthem. The All Blacks begin each match with the haka, a traditional Maori dance meant to intimidate the opponent. The crowd goes wild. The table next to us is filled with women in their 60s who are going through beer as fast as anyone else in the place.

After the match, we go to the clubs to celebrate NZ's victory. The Kiwis love their early 90s dance music. Then again, who doesn't enjoy a little C&C Music Factory once in a while? I stay out until 5am even though I have to catch a bus to Wellington at 8am. Ugh. As we part ways, one of the guys plays it real cool and asks, "So what are your plans for Christmas?" (It is August 2nd.) He wonders if I want to barbecue a chicken on the beach. Sure, mate.