Rugby in Balclutha

We travelled to Balclutha today to catch a pre-season Super 15 match between our beloved Otago Highlanders and the always dangerous Auckland Blues. The teams travel to rural New Zealand on the south island for their match. What an opportunity! For $2 NZ each, we got to see a great match, and the weather even cooperated. It was even better that it was held at a local rugby field in Balclutha. Highlander fans were everywhere, decked out in their colours, but we noticed how respectful they were of the Blues too (applause, even when the Blues scored the winning try (touchdown for our North American friends) with only a minute left in the match). We could learn a thing or two about sportsmanship in Saskatchewan from this.

By the way, we have come to love this game! The old saying that it is a hooligan's game, played by gentlemen may be a stretch, but it is exciting, fast, powerful and dramatic -- everything anyone could want from a sport. Anyway, here are 3 movies, and check back, as Karin will add a few more pictures. The last movie catches the end (pun intended) of a streaker who entertained at half time and then calmly strolled into the crowd (who gasped, but only when he straddled the fence to hop over it). I (Rick) feared for his manhood.

The Highlanders enter the paddock and the game begins:

Some action resulting in the first try for the Highlanders:

And of course, the streaker:

In the end, it was a great day of Rugby, but we won't mention the score. Our next match we hope to see will be at Carisbrook Stadium in Dunedin (The House of Pain), where we are sure the Highlanders will bring home victory.