As I mentioned in a previous post, my host mum Mareet was able to get a couple of tickets through her wonderful friend, Whitney, to the New Zealand Semi-Final Super Rugby match- The Chiefs vs. The Crusaders. So, I was thrown Chiefs shirts and flags to wear to the game, looking like the biggest groupie there, when in actuality I was this girl from Florida that had never watched a live rugby game in her life. Mareet introduced me to her nephew, Matthew, who accompanied me to the game :) We drove over to Hamilton where we met up with some of his friends that were ever so lovely and I instantly became friends with all of them! I've come to the conclusion that Kiwi men are the nicest, most genuine blokes I've ever encountered. Not to mention the girls were ever so inviting and were not shy to ask me about myself! We hung out at his mate's house for a bit before we all headed to the game. Matthew and I found our seats, and flash they were!
The match took off with high intensity as the crowd roared for their teams. I was able to snag a flag from a cheerleader which I waved high the entire game. I believe I only knocked the guy in front of me once. It was ever so exciting to be in the crowd for such a big and important game. Matthew explained a lot of the rules to me as the match went on and I learned so much about the individual players. Many were also on New Zealand's All Black's National Union Rugby Team.
The Chiefs pulled through with a big win 20-19. What a game!
To top off my groupie-ness, I asked Matt if we could stay after to get some autographs for Grayson and Roman (secretly they were for me). We made our way over to the players and I was able to meet a few of the Chiefs many of which were also All Blacks.
Here is a picture of me getting Sam Cane's autograph. Got him to sign my headband too. :)
That night we went out in Hamilton and the local boys showed me a fabulous time. Couldn't have been more thankful for that day and night.
The week flew by and we all believed it would be near impossible to get tickets to the final game for the following Saturday; but Matthew's sister, Teri, worked her magic and was able to get us tickets to the final! Unbelievable! I felt so spoiled getting to go to both games.
We stood in the "Green Zone" this time where the younger/drunker crowd was.
The game was so intense I'm pretty sure we were quiet more often than not, just waiting for The Chiefs to make a big move. And that they did. They came through with a huge win against The Brumbies 27-22. Victory for The Chiefs!!!
What an amazing experience. That night out in Hamilton was crazy. Such good vibes everywhere!
GO CHIEFS!!
Thanks Mareet and everyone who helped this all work out :)
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