Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: And Finally

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: And Finally: Thousands of expectant All Blacks fans snaked their way along the ingenious fan trail to Eden Park already celebrating a World Cup Final vic...

And Finally

Thousands of expectant All Blacks fans snaked their way along the ingenious fan trail to Eden Park already celebrating a World Cup Final victory. Three hours later the mood was one of relief as the best team in the competition very nearly got mugged by the enigmatic French who very nearly pulled off a brilliant win. Jeepers that was close!!

It seemed fitting to me that the hosts  should be rewarded for putting on such a great show and embracing every single fan from every country in such a friendly and enthusiastic way. The world stopped for seven weeks in NZ and when the fireworks lit up the Auckland sky and Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis trophy surely nobody could begrudge them their first win in 24 years. Brilliant.

The final week of Where's Nelly saw us almost blown away at Cape Reinga, hugging the great Kauri trees in the north, dolphin spotting in the Bay of Islands and getting very emotional watching a quite fantastic Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on the eve of the final.

We finally finished the Owzthat cricket at 5-30 am in Auckland Airport with the W Indies winning a closely fought game by two wickets. England 356 and 280, West Indies 442 and 195 for 8. Man of the match Bacchus. 

The Match Prediction game was won by Martha on 245 with John on 229 and Greg on 215. Michelle receiving the trophy on Martha's behalf at an emotional awards ceremony in Paula's bedroom skyped live to Loughborough University.

We have loved flying the 'Where's Nelly' flag all over NZ but couldn't resist a 'Best of' to finish what has been a quite brilliant trip.

Best Anything- Rugby on the beach in Dunedin
Best Fans- Argentina and France
Best Team not to make the last 8- Samoa
Best Player- Ma 'a Nonu NZ
Best Beach- Lonely Bay in the Coromandel
Best Place- Lake Waikaremoana
Best View- From the top of Cecils Peak in Queenstown
Best Drive- Rotorua to Waikaremoana along 'certain death' gravel road
Best Campsite- Te Anua. Like a Hotel
Best Cafe- Rhythm Cafe in Mairangi Bay
Best Tourist attraction- Doubtful Sound boat trip. Awesome
Best Stadium- Otago Stadium in Dunedin
Most Surprising- How bad the damage is in Christchurch and yet how positive everyone remains.
Most disappointing- England
Champagne Moment- Running down the giant sand dunes with Greg."Come on Sarge"
Most Hospitable- Michelle. You were brilliant thanks.
Funniest Moment- Auckland Zoo watching two parrots mating and Greg says "I bet she's had a Cockatoo"
Nominations were also received for - The Radios, Hoodies, Flag, Pirates Rugby Club in Dunedin, Owzthat in the van, Skiing, Helicopter flight and  Kayaking near a fin in the water at Ohope Bay.

And finally thanks to our friends Greg and Paula who we loved spending the last 7 weeks with.

KIA ORA

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Running Amok

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Running Amok: According to Elbow 'One day like this a year will see you right'. We have had several in the past weeks however one day supporting Wales or ...

Running Amok

According to Elbow 'One day like this a year will see you right'. We have had several in the past weeks however one day supporting Wales or France in a lifetime is probably enough and was beautifully summed up by one England fan in a text to his friend in Wales which read " Thankfully my time as a Welshman was brief and if thats what its like no wonder you always look miserable"
Gallant in defeat yes, poor with the boot certainly but probably not robbed by the ref and I guess we will never know how Wales would have fared with 15 men. It was another match that seemed to suck the life out of the crowd to go alongside most of the England games.
The following morning the local church notice board summed up the feeling around NZ with the plea "Please God help us win". Bill Shankly was right, it is more important than life and death over here at the moment. The game certainly lived up to the hype and demonstrated that there really is no love lost between NZ and Australia when it comes to Rugby. Todays papers headline " FINAL-LY the choke is on them"
As Jonathan Pearce on Radio 5 would say "What can possibly go wrong now for the All Blacks"

Other highlights this week included-

• The Coromandel even in the rain
• Cathedral Cove, Hotwater Beach and the fantastic Driving Creek Railway.
• The Argentinian fans for one last time. The fans of the tournament for me
• The stunning Opito Bay. We went wild and free camped next to the beach in a no camping area. We are out of control.
• More Fat Boy breakfasts. They do them really well over here.
• Whitianga Hot Springs.
• The Auckland Sky Tower. The people who Bungy off it are mad
• The Rangitoto Volcano despite falling on the lava. Thankfully its had 600 years to cool down.
• Waiheke Island Vineyard. The one England visited after the French defeat. Unlike Tuilagi, Greg resisted jumping off the ferry as it entered the wharf in Auckland.

Off to the Northland now as the whole country holds its breath for one more week.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Pants

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Pants: So all along we were rubbish after all. Dodgy against Argentina, Scotland and unconvincing against Georgia and Romania only to confirm it ag...

Pants

So all along we were rubbish after all. Dodgy against Argentina, Scotland and unconvincing against Georgia and Romania only to confirm it against France last night. Ever the optimist I thought we might improve... Oh no we definitely didn't improve. From an England perspective Eden Park was strangely subdued with nothing to shout about to get everyone going. Most of the Kiwis in the crowd seemed to have adopted France with much more noise for Le Bleu. You know things are pretty bad when I fall out with someone in the crowd but an arrogant Kiwi was asking for it with his taunts of "England's going home". "So why are you so anti England then and pro France?" I knew the answer really but by then we were just glum. But were not going home yet. After all we have the prospect of a Wales v France semi final to look forward to. The americans would say that was like being asked to kiss your sister. Who to support?
Enough doom and gloom..... after all there are many more fat boy breakfasts to look forward to and the Kiwis are brilliant hosts. Some of the highlights from the past week to brighten up a gloomy sunday morning here in Auckland included-

• A brilliant century from Bacchus in the van in Rotorua during a thunderstorm to put the W Indies on top in the Owzthat cricket first test. I will never forget the standing ovation he got
• Meeting Barry, Gary , Harry and Larry in Lake Waikaremoana who only needed Robbie to make a last of the summer wine 'Take That' tribute band. They gave us the rainbow trout they caught and took us out in their boat. They have been going there every year for the past 30 years. 
• The rainforest in the Te Urewera National Park. More Hobbit like than the Hobbit
• The Maori trail
• Sea Kayaking at  Ohope in the Bay of Plenty with the fin of a shark sticking up at one point. The local said it was a Stingray but what does he know. Shark Shark Shark
• Martha leading the predictions by 19

So sadly no Sky Bungy for me. It was never even close.

What happens to Johnno now then??

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Whales 5 Sick Bags 5

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Whales 5 Sick Bags 5: The Whales were 30 miles offshore and we were told the chances of a sighting in the next few days was slim. The following morning at a time ...

Whales 5 Sick Bags 5

The Whales were 30 miles offshore and we were told the chances of a sighting in the next few days was slim. The following morning at a time I only thought existed in the evening we were greeted with an ominous 'Sea Sickness' warning on the board and glum faces in the waiting area. Most believed the Sperm Whales had not returned. As the boat crashed its way through an uncomfortable sea causing the electrics to fail we were thrilled when the captain announced that they had tracked three whales about a mile away. The chase was on...... What an awesome sight these Whales are and what a difference an hour makes as the whole boat is transformed into almost party mode. Annie was sick 5 times (One for each Whale) but even this does not dampen her spirits although her ski jacket may never be the same again. On any NZ itinerary Kaikoura must surely be near the top.

Other highlights this week as we built up to the England game included-

• A beautiful Kaiterteri Beach
• Nelson for the Italy v USA game. Surely Ireland will have no trouble in beating Italy on that performance
• The van almost becoming a soft top as we enter the Ferry up a ramp with a low ceiling. Whoops.
• The fantastic Samoan support, anthem and Haka against S Africa. So close Samoa
• Reuniting with our dear friend Michelle after 13 years. An emotional return.

Eden Park for England v Scotland was like Murrayfield in March as it seemed the whole of scotland had turned up for the 'Auld Enemy' game. Brilliant atmosphere before, during and after with another glorious defeat for scotland to add to the long list since Argentina 78. A ponderous England are still progressing and it won't say in brackets' poor perfromance' when the 8 teams line up for next weeks Quarter Finals. Bring on the french.

I am terrified of heights and I have foolishly said I will Bungy off the Auckland Sky Tower if we win the World Cup. EEEK

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

The end of the line arrived far too soon for Josie and Martha as they took down the 'Where's Nelly' flag for one last time and fondly surveyed the emptying Otago Stadium after a convincing England win against Romania. Thanks for a brilliant two weeks girls and good luck with Uni and work back in England. It certainly was a quiet drive away from Dunedin without you.
Its quite hard to know where to start this week with an embarrassment of riches on the activity front. As you walk around Queenstown you see so many people on crutches that I'm sure there must be a business opportunity there somewhere. 'Crutches Incorporated' perhaps. Thankfully nobody from the 'Nelly Tour' needed them after the following memorable activities.-

• Greg donned the Biggles goggles and mask as he soared into the sky in a Tiger Moth plane and was one loop the loop away from having to pick his lunch off the dashboard of the plane.
• Martha skydived from 15,000 ft above the lakes and mountains of Queenstown with a 65sec free fall   and parachute accompanied by whoops and squeels that you could hear on the ground from thousands of feet away. Brilliant to share her excitement at the bottom
• Josie and Martha are dropped in tandem on the Nevis canyon swing  into the biggest canyon drop in the world.
• Greg and Paula are whisked onto the top of a mountain in a breathtaking helicopter ride.
• The Skippers canyon Jet Boat adventure is halted when the Jet Boat breaks down and the driver has to jump from the boat into the fast flowing river and lasoo it to a rock and then watch in embarrassment when to crys of 'Allez Bleu' we tow the boat ashore with the french fans revelling in the change of schedule. Just Brilliant. 

Once again the Dunedin Pirates Rugby Club hosted the England fans with open arms along with a surprise guest after the Romania game when  former Pirates player and now England second row Simon Shaw joined the after match celebrations. He was very chilled and happy to talk to anyone including Josie and Martha who were thrilled to get their photo taken with him. He jokingly asked that we didn't post it on facebook or You Tube.
On the plane from Dunedin Josie and Martha sat with the partner of  England Lock forward Louis Deacon  who then gave them a lift to the International Airport in Auckland. A great way for them to end the tour.
Owzthat Cricket update- The West Indies at lunch on the second day are 190-3 with Gordon Greenidge making a quick 79.
Prediction game- Martha now leads by 10.
We are now in kaikoura hoping that the Whales will come a bit closer to shore so that the boat can track them in the morning. Apparently they are 30 miles off shore so the only Whales we are likely to see will be against  against Fiji in Hamilton next week.
So a sad farewell to the south island with the Otago Times summing it up when it describes the England fans as Fun, great ambassadors for the country and the game of rugby and asking us to come back soon. We will I'm sure

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Breathalysers and Evictions

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Breathalysers and Evictions: The tour has now reached Queenstown for the week in between the two England games in Dunedin. They describe this town as the 'Adventure Capi...

Breathalysers and Evictions

The tour has now reached Queenstown for the week in between the two England games in Dunedin. They describe this town as the 'Adventure Capital' of the world with every other  shop inviting you to throw yourself out of a plane, off a cliff, swing off a scarily high bridge or Jet Boat down a narrow canyon. Martha is hoping to Skydive and I will let you know in the next blog what other mad things we signed up for. The highlight of the past week was probably being on the packed terraces of the Pirates Rugby Club Bar in Dunedin cheering on a brilliant Ireland against Australia. I wonder how many of the people in that bar had ever shouted "Ireland Ireland" before.

The two live games this week were in Invercargill for Argentina v Romania and Dunedin for England v Georgia. The 4500 Argentinian fans are having a ball and create a brilliant party atmosphere wherever they go. Before the England game Greg put us through our paces on the beach in Dunedin with passing moves that Martin Johnson would have been proud of. Well maybe not ......

The brilliant Otago stadium was again host to English Knights, RAF Pilots, Roses, Cockney Gents and
Vikings all hoping for a big improvement against Georgia. I thought there was some light at the end of the tunnel but Greg was less than convinced. The lowlight of the tour so far saw the four locals sat next to us ejected for disorderly behaviour. Hats off to the Stewards and the Police for sorting them out and  we didn't wind them up honest. Its obviously not just football then.

Greg and Paula have been enjoying Arrowtown nearby as they eagerly await their Scenic Helicopter ride into the mountains. The rest of us have spent the past two days enjoying the fantastic snow and weather in the Cardrona ski fields. Great skiing in a very friendly resort. Knackered now.

Other highlights this week included Annie being breathalysed in Dunedin on our way home from the Rugby club where she was asked to breath and count to ten into a mouthpiece. Thankfully mineral water doesn't register. Owzthat Cricket update- England were eventually bowled out in their first innings for 356 with Alan Knott making a brilliant 109. Martha now leads the score prediction table on 114 with Greg second on 109.

With every other house and garage seemingly bedecked in 'All Black' colours I will leave you with this question- Does Rugby mean more to NZ than Football does to Brazil.?

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: A Grotto but no Santa

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: A Grotto but no Santa: Nelly is now exploring the amazing Fjordland of the South West tip of NZ. On our way to Invercargill for the Scotland v Georgia game we were...

A Grotto but no Santa

Nelly is now exploring the amazing Fjordland of the South West tip of NZ. On our way to Invercargill for the Scotland v Georgia game we were entertained at Waipapo by a huge Sea Lion getting out of the sea and finding its baby on the shore. It was huge, almost bear like. Its farming country down here and we have seen several sheep painted in the flags of participating teams. A rainy Invercargill was cheered up by the kilts and bagpipes of hundreds of Scotland fans. Scotland were described in the press here as 'Stodgy' and it didn't get much better than that in an attritional affair against Georgia. I have often laughed at fans on Match of the Day waving in the window behind the pundits. We didn't wave but sang 'Sweet Chariot' behind the Sky match interviewer and were told to shush. We keep meeting people from the South West and yet again in the Glow Worm Grotto of Te Anau we were joined by two Exeter fans. The caves were fantastic but I was a little disappointed that Santa was not in his Grotto and wondered if the Glow worms were in fact LED lights. Paula is having those lights in her new bathroom. Doubtful Sound today was stunning and so remote that the only way in was by bus to a lake, boat over the lake, bus over a snowy pass that was another 'certain death highway' and then onto the boat into the Sound. Off to the Argentina v Romania game tomorrow and then back up to Dunedin for the England game on sunday. Loving it so far. Photos don't seem to upload so putting some on Facebook.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nude not Crude

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nude not Crude: We are now in Curio Bay in the far south in an old school house cafe. A beautiful spot on the coast where we have been spotting the rare Hoi...

Nude not Crude

We are now in Curio Bay in the far south in an old school house cafe. A beautiful spot on the coast where we have been spotting the rare Hoiho penguins and the nearest mobile coverage is 40km. Nude not Crude was the strap line for the nude rugby game in Dunedin between local students and a spanish womens team. Every time the women scored they had to take off an item of clothing. This is an annual event in Dunedin and took place before the England game. I will leave you to make your own mind up which was likely to be the more interesting. The local Dunedin Pirates Rugby club have erected a stand in the bar area to view all the games of the RWC and was a brilliant place to watch the Wales v S africa game. Josephine drove over one of the passes here to a round of applause as we named the roads with sheer drops, certain death, probable death and possible death depending on their severity. Having nearly got blown off the cliff at the most southerly point in NZ and 4530 Km to the south pole we retired to the vans for the second session of Owzthat. On the first day at tea England are 183 for 7 with Gooch making a credible  62, Botham and Boycott both out first ball and at one point we actually did have "The bowlers Holding the batsmans Willie" Hooray. In the prediction game Greg and Martha are early leaders on 53 points with Greg correctly predicting 32-6 to Australia against Italy and Martha predicting 22-10 in the Ireland v USA game. We are off to Invercargill tonight for Scotland v Georgia expecting a muddy encounter and a possible upset. We are then off to the Fjords of Doubtful Sound and back for Argentina v Romania on saturday. Photos wont upload here in the wilds so will load some later.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: 'Ugly' wins are still wins

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: 'Ugly' wins are still wins: We will come to last nights very dodgy win later. Nelly and all his followers are now in Dunedin in our vans and huts preparing to go furthe...

'Ugly' wins are still wins

We will come to last nights very dodgy win later. Nelly and all his followers are now in Dunedin in our vans and huts preparing to go further south to Invercargill which Im told is the most southerly town in the world. Martha and Josie who have already been Zorbing, Luging, Kayaking, Surfing, Stingray feeding, dolphin watching and bone carving have joined us following an exciting evening on friday watching the opening ceremony and NZ v Tonga game. Auckland harbour was wild with thousands of locals and visitors crammed into the harbour to watch the biggest firework display and celebrations ever in NZ. If ever you wondered if they would embrace this Rugby World Cup you only had to be here on friday to realise that they are mad for it in a laid back kiwi way. In Christchurch the fan zone was packed with dancing Tongans and it was a relief to the organisers that the people of this area had put their feelings of being left out to one side and joined the party.
Having met Josie and Martha at the airport on saturday morning we then travelled the 360 km south to Dunedin in time to witness the Argentinian fans take over the brand new Otago stadium and witness... well im sure you saw it. All I will say is that in 2007 we were hammered in the first game and still made the final. Half of the Dunedin student population seemed to have dressed up in Argentinian colours and after last nights display will not be changing any day soon into the black ??? of England. C Minus at best for me.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nelly opens Restaurant in Singapore

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nelly opens Restaurant in Singapore: It took Nelly less than 36 hours to open his own Restaurant that is already causing a stir amongst the Singapore fine diners. It took Paula ...

Nelly opens Restaurant in Singapore

It took Nelly less than 36 hours to open his own Restaurant that is already causing a stir amongst the Singapore fine diners. It took Paula less than 36 seconds to order a Singapore Sling in Raffles and about the same time to drink it.

It was agreed that stopping off in a very hot and sticky Singapore was well worth it and although the 'Long Bar' seemed to me to be no more than a theme pub these days, Raffles itself was an enjoyable experience invoking memories of a bygone age.

Coats at the ready we set off for NZ where our first taste of Rugby World Cup fever was at Brisbane Airport where we saw a very relaxed looking Scotland squad on their way to Auckland and 8 frenchmen dressed in berets with dreadlocks and rugby ball shaped corks on the end. Stylish as ever.

Christchurch is clearly still hurting after such awful events earlier in the year with so much visible destruction evident around every corner and a story to be told at every opportunity. Linda the school teacher who lost her gymnasium and now teaches in a makeshift marque and who witnessed with her students parts of the school crumbling around them. A construction worker who huddled with his family in a bedroom and feared the worst until it finally stopped. Rugby is undoubtably part of the fabric of this city but even that has had to be put into perspective following such tragic events. As a local shop keeper said "We have taken the punches and now we are trying to move on"

In trying to move on they are desperate for the All Blacks to finally fulfil their potential and win the Rugby World Cup in the modern era. For some you get the sense that they are already preparing for the worst yet again. Who is your money on by the way?

Exciting news- Future Blogs will report on our van prediction league where you predict the score of every game and score 5 for a correct winning team, 3 for being only 3 or less out in the margin of victory, 7 for predicting the exact score and 7 for predicting a draw. Go on start your own and let us know how you are getting on.
Even more exciting is the van 'Owzthat' game that Greg has introduced. The  game and still in its original tin was found in a market in Totnes. We will be playing all 5 tests from the 1980 England v West Indies series with Greg and Paula representing England and Annie and John representing the West Indies. Look out for updates on the great Geoffrey Boycott, Ian Botham, Joel Garner and Viv Richards and  hope  that the weather plays less havoc on this tour than it did in 1980.

Oh and finally we nearly needed to take the patio doors off our apartment as the Snowbike that arrived earlier in the day fell against them after we locked up and prevented them sliding open to get back in. Its a long story but.......................

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Singapore here we come

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Singapore here we come: With Josie and Martha now enjoying the hot springs of Rotorua and Nelly still dreaming of Dolphins in the Bay of Islands, the rest of the '...

Singapore here we come

With Josie and Martha now enjoying the hot springs of Rotorua and Nelly still dreaming of Dolphins in the Bay of Islands, the rest of the 'Where's Nelly Tour' leave for Singapore on sunday and are due to arrive in Christchurch on wednesday. England will  be in Christchurch on wednesday visiting the city following the devastating earthquake last year. We hope to catch up with them in the fan park that evening and will post any photos here. Not sure what to expect in Singapore but really looking forward to arriving in NZ and picking up the campervans. Apparently every van in NZ has been hired and they have had to get more from Australia to cope with the demand. So with the first England game only a week away do we leave home with hope or expectation?

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nelly arrives in NZ

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Nelly arrives in NZ: Following an action packed three days in Hong Kong Nelly has arrived in NZ. He was given a great reception from the All Blacks who perform...

Nelly arrives in NZ

Following an action packed three days in Hong Kong Nelly has arrived in NZ.  He was given  a great reception from the All Blacks who performed the Haka as he boarded the boat in the Bay of Islands. (See http://yfrog.com/h843ighj )  Josie and Martha are now exploring the far north of the north island with 'Nelly' getting very excited spotting dolphin swimming around the boat.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Hong Kong Here We Come

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Hong Kong Here We Come: The 'Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour' is finally underway following a last minute dash to the flag makers in Knaresborough 'Flying Colour...

Hong Kong Here We Come

The 'Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour' is finally underway following a last minute dash to the flag makers in Knaresborough 'Flying Colours' who have done us proud with the tour flag and then on to Leeds station for the train to Heathrow. Next stop for Josie and Martha is Hong Kong for three nights and then onto NZ. We look forward to  all meeting  up in Christchurch on the 10th Sept for the opening England game that night in Dunedin against Argentina. Look out for the 'Wheres Nelly Flag' which will be doing the rounds of several grounds in both the North and South Island of NZ.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: World Cup Final Tickets

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: World Cup Final Tickets: "Getting really excited now as we have all managed to get tickets for the final. Greg got his in the original ballot and I got mine in the fi..."

World Cup Final Tickets

Getting really excited now as we have all managed to get tickets for the final. Greg got his in the original ballot and I got mine in the first come first served sale for the tickets that were not taken up after the ballot. So we now have tickets for all the England games as well as several other group games and the Q Final, both Semis and the Final. When the Christchurch games were sadly moved we had to book our tickets again for the rearranged fixtures in Dunedin, Invercargill and Auckland. The ticket office were really helpful and even allowed me to choose my seats for the Quarters. Barry who is on the England Travel Tour is also going to do a blog, which if his Exeter chiefs videos is anything to go by, will be brill. Watch this space for that one. We are expecting Bells and Whistles Baz. We have also booked tickets for the Kiri Te Kanawa concert in Auckland the night before the Final. A bit of culture to round off by then what Im sure will be a Fab trip.

The Hoodies

The Wheres Nelly? Tour Hoodies have arrived and 5 out of 6 have had to go back as 4 were the wrong size (Mens sizes rather than Womens) and 1 had to have the badge redone. Thankfully not our expense as the company accept they got it wrong. I will try to post a photo of the one that we kept as it looks very good. We have now rearranged  our accommodation to take in the Dunedin games and will  spend 6 nights on the Dunedin Park campsite which is already sold out for the nights of the England games for camper vans. Should be very lively. We will  be in Christchurch for the start of our trip for 3 nights and then make our way south to Dunedin.

Heres the Hoody then. The badge on the front is made up of the Devon Flag as the background with the Yorkshire and England rose inserted.

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Ticket Ballot Results

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: Ticket Ballot Results: "And the results of the NZ jury are in and ............wait for it................Yessssssssssssss we have 2 tickets for the first semi final..."

Ticket Ballot Results

And the results of the NZ jury are in and ............wait for it................Yessssssssssssss we have 2 tickets for the first semi final and the final. The first semi is the semi England will be in if they win the group and their quarter final so hopefully the right semi to have tickets for. Gregs number came up for the final and mine for the semi. There are 4 of us at that stage of the trip so I have suggested we arm wrestle for them. If you have any wizz ideas for deciding let us know here

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: The Ballot

Where's Nelly Rugby World Cup Tour: The Ballot: "Waiting with bated (Is that how you spell it) breath for the semis and final ticket ballot which took place last monday. Each of the s..."

The Ballot

Waiting with bated (Is that how you spell it) breath for the semis and final ticket ballot which took place last monday.  Each of the semis and final are drawn separately and each of your previous ticket purchases gives you one entry into the ballot. So 20 tickets bought for the previous rounds gives you 20 chances in the ballot. The results of the ballot will be out by next monday when you will be able to go online and enter your customer number to see how you got on. Cant wait hence the blog. My stato friend in cornwall says we have slightly better than an even chance due to the number of tickets we have bought. Come on Gordon.
We heard today that Nick the Vic and Sue look like they will be making the trip to Christchurch from Sydney for the opening weekend when England play Argentina and Australia play Italy. Great news making 8 of us for that weekend. I look forward to an Italian upset and England starting strongly. Is that a dangerous thing to write at this stage that may come back to bite me. Surely not after last fridays win in cardiff. Wont get carried away just yet but the 6 nations openers were a taster of whats to come in NZ hopefully.
Back next monday with the ballot results