Game Day 19-7

Somehow managed to get over served once more but we were all up for b’fast (steak and eggs!) at the Prince. Followed on by returning to the room where all three of us had a rather lengthy nap, right up to the set meeting time at the Rosso lobby bar, which was already out of beer.  The perfect option was taken and we stopped at the Family Mart to pick up supplies for an impromptu “Tail Gate” in the park enroute to Nissan Stadium.  With the tourists in full voice and Mounty gear,

a passionate rendering of Oh Canada was undertaken before making our way to the entry queue. Arrived in time to grab more beer and a sandwich before the Haka, which was awesome complete with the English forming an inverted V (opposite to the French challenge response at a previous World Cup).  Ran into my old Aggie chum and Old Marooner Billy Baker at the game which was great.  The test was absolutely spectacular with England carrying the day in a superb display of attacking offence and brutish defense.  The AB’s never left the blocks and their only score came off of a missed throw at the line out deep in England territory.  Most of the test was played in AB territory but there were a couple of NZ line breaks which required some absolutely world class scramble defense from the English.  Two try’s called back for England and a missed penalty goal lead to the final score line misaligned with the run of play.  Man of the Match Maro Itoji was more than a beast and it was quite something to hear the fans singing “Oh Maro Itoji” throughout.  A game for the ages, very grateful to be in the stands.  Also, this was Myles’ first ever rugby match, might be a bit of a let down for him after that.  Karen was particularly pleased attending Rugby as the Ladies restrooms went rather unused.  I noticed the same and not willing to stand in the massive queue for the Men's, I ducked into the Ladies.  While this was effective for me, others must have made note of the same as this option was subsequently shut down by security.  After full time, made our way back to the Prince and suggested some street eats at the place Myles had located two nights previously, so we set off to reconnoiter the place before inviting the rest of the tourists to enjoy.  With a sizable number of Privateers in attendance we enjoyed Whisky Soda, Kirin Draft and Saki with random skewers under the tracks.  Once I was full (again), we left Myles in the capable care of the Privateers and headed for the Prince to lay down.