08:00
mowing the hallowed turf. We followed one another mowing in bands. It took about an hour and half to complete.
with tea making facilities. Here admin staff control various aspects of the pre-match, match and post match activities. At midday Keith disappeared to get changed into his collar and tie ready for the match. I had been working in mine since I arrived!
Whilst this game is in progress the All Blacks arrive and the players walk out to inspect the pitch. England coach, Martin Johnson faces the press who are looking for an improved performance from the home team.
11:00 13:30 08:00
For each match a set of three logos are painted on to the pitch. IMG, a company which specialises in this, were putting the final touches to them, filling in with special water based dye.
At 9.30am Ian began the task of line marking, starting on the cross lines and dotted lines before, finally, an hour and a quarter later, marking the touchlines.
14:15 Quarter of an hour later the players 12:00 Whilst waiting for Keith to return I was 09:30 With a tea break looming Keith and
Mike put the flags out and gave the pitch a final check over. Keith then took me up to level 5 in the new South Stand to get an overview of the pitch from a high vantage point. It looked fantastic.
introduced to Match Director and ex Leicester Tigers player, Terry Burwell, Stadium Director, Richard Knight, and Match Manager, Tracy Fox-Young, who is responsible for the players requirements, trophies etc. I was also asked to take some photographs of the tag rugby teams who took part in the pre-match entertainment.
emerge from the changing rooms for the playing of the national anthems. England have to face the fearsome Haka. The now full, and mainly partisan crowd, respond with a loud rendition of Sweet Chariot. It doesn’t get sung much again as New Zealand take a 12-3 half time lead.
During half time divots are repaired. The game kicks off for the second half and, despite England’s best endeavours, the All Blacks run out comfortable 32-6 winners.
12:00
At the same time, Escala, the electric string quartet, shivered their way through rehearsals, and the ‘flag waving’ ceremony also got a trial run.
At 1.30pm the players begin their warm up drills. Keith inspects the pitch after the drills to check for any damage. At 2.00pm the pre-match entertainment and ceremonies begin, including a rousing performance from Escala and more flag waving and patriotism than is seen at most other sporting events.
15:10 10:45 Once we had completed the pitch
preparations we made our way to the players tunnel where we would be based for the duration of the match. Keith had issued me with a Tunnel Pass that allowed me access to the pitch and tunnel areas. Tunnel staff have a dedicated room,
90
13:00 At 1.00pm
the pre match entertainment begins with a tag rugby game. The ground is slowly filling up.
16:00
After the victorious team are presented with the Hillary Shield and all the paraphernalia is put away, Keith and I inspect the pitch. It had held up
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