Rugby - England v All Blacks in Christchurch

As you may all be aware now, I like to go to the odd game of Rugby. On my list of things to do while I am in New Zealand, suprisingly going to an All Blacks game was on the very top of my list. I found out about this game before I came out to New Zealand at the beginning of the year. I have never been to an England game, seen enough of them on the tv though. So this night has received a double tick on my list. So I will now bore you with an indepth "Jaimie" report of the night.
I went to the match with Zoe, and we met up before the game for a wee bite to eat - again using one of my entertainment vouchers. We then made our way to the AMI stadium via bus, with lots of other supports. I was proudly wearing my England top (thanks Si for the amazing xmas gift), surrounded by lots of black tops for the NZ All Blacks. I like the England top as it really stands out - whereas the All Blacks just blends into the back ground.
We collected the tickets at the stadium, by this point of was so totally excited and was in a bit of a tizz woss, I saw this guy come out of the stadium and smiled at him (maybe in a Jaimie I'm slightly manicly excited state) and I got a huge smile back. A few steps later Zoe roared with laughter and said 'do you know who that was'. I was like 'nope'. 'That was an All Black Jaimie'! WOW. Then we looked down and saw my England top on full view and that started me off on a whole giggle fit.
After picking up the tickets, which I would not let Zoe hold, I got my programme. Honest to god, I was nearly being sick with pure excitment. We made our way into the ground. We just wandered into the half way line area and I saw England warming up - well out came the camera. I'm saying to Zoe 'oh look it's Tait... there's Flood.... ooo where's Noon'. A few photo's later we made our way to our seats. I was a bit worried that the seats would be naff, but they where totally ace.
The opening ceremony was someone singing WWII songs, with lots of fire works going off. Then we had the English National Anthem, followed by both New Zealands (Maour and English). Then .....
the Haka......
totally amazing....

So, to war.
Where do I start. What an amazing game. Ok so we didn't win, lost 44-12. But was very pleased that Flood was in the no 10 shirt and also that Tait had been moved from no 13 to no 15, a position that he seemed far more comfortable in. Was odd Jonny, not being there, but great for Flood. Was truely pleased to see Noon playing well. These are all Newcastle Falcon players, so I am slightly bias.
Flood was off after the first half, but he sustained quite a hit during trying stop the All Blacks scoring a try and damaged his shoulder. He was down for a while and kinda looked like he'd been winded, he was bent over on his knees but seemed to be holding his stomach. Shame but great that Barkley then came on.

I screamed like a good en, I was surrounded by All Black fans, but I did our boys proud. At one point Tait had the ball and did a heck of a run down the left side towards the try line. I've never done this before but was screaming "Come on Mathew", appearly over and over and over again. Zoe later said I sounded like a pround or pushy mother. (photo is of Dan Carter kicking a converstion)
I was totally excited for the whole game. But Tait got tackled, I screamed, and my hands went straight to my mouth as I knew it wasn't good. He was down and out. Knocked out. The All Black he had collided with (Richard Kahui) was holding Taits head and calling for help. I felt sick, I seriously thought I was going to be sick. Everyone in the whole stadium was silent. The medic came over and was holding Tait's head. Tait was moving his arms slightly off the ground and moving his legs but totally seemed disorientated. He was down on the ground for quite a while (still had my hands over my mouth). When he finally sat up, the whole stadium took an intake of breath, as teh camera panned in on him, his face was covered in blood. He was buggyed off - thankfully he was sat up not lying down. Phew.
England tried to pick the pace up and I helped with moral by doing my up most to shout and support them. Am still Mrs Doile (Father Ted)though .... COME ON, COME ON or my other shouting phase is STOP THEM.
I am very proud of my boys and as I said at one point when we missed a penilty, much to the amusment of the people around me, 'well done for giving it a go, it's the taking part that counts'.