AB's, Magnificent - Les Bleues, Magnifique!
24 October 2011
The French certainly came to play and what we expect from Petone Teams today and of yester-year, the All Blacks played with Pride, Passion and a Ton of Ticker.
Both teams fired every shot available to them but it was a huge and disciplined defensive effort that squeaked in over a spirited and gutsy French Team who never said die!
The Volunteers Thank You Dinner kick-started the evening at 6pm however the first supporters started to arrive at the same time and the Cinema was full with almost 2 hours to go before kick-off.
The clubhouse lounge areas filled quickly as well and it was "all on for young and old" from the National Anthem through the Haka, the French Advance and on to a roller coaster ride and nail biting finish.
Two scrums in the entire first half, another Number 10 limping off the field, no quarter asked and none given, and the TAB's "chicken selector's" choice (Tony Woodcock) strolling over for the only try of the match and much to everyones relief, the deafening roar as the final French infringement gave the Webb Ellis Trophy to New Zealand, capping off a magnificent six weeks for the Club.
Congratulations everyone on a great job well done and in doing our part in the Stadium of 4 Million and making all our visitors feel welcome. Now for some well-earned sleep!
Petone Has Foot In Both Camps
There is a photo on the wall near the shop front of Tana Umaga and Inoke Afeaki, both Petone players and Captains of World Cup Teams (NZ and Tonga) and in something of a deja-vu moment, Petone featured in this RWC Final.
Our own Ezra Iupeli (Team Liaison for the All Blacks) and Joseph Aiona (filling a similar role for the French) will both remember this RWC Final for a lifetime. Well done guys.
