1st Rugby Match!

This week, one of my clients invited me to the opening home game for the Canterbury Crusaders, the super rugby team resident in Christchurch. I'm not really sure how I made it onto the invite list, but I was excited for the opportunity to see my first live Rugby match.

There were about 10 in our group, 4 from the client and 6 people they had invited. I was the only girl. Of course. However, with my love of all sports and basic knowledge of the game I was ready to rock and roll. We had a great dinner before the game and then had pretty good seats to watch the main event. Lucky for me it was a warm evening because I don't think it would have been as much fun in the rain.

Look at that gorgeous evening!

I tried to take a picture when they lift a player up in the air on a throw-in. Stupid phone.

Richie McCaw, captain of the Crusaders & All Blacks is just to the right of the guy with the ball (he's wearing a knee brace). It was cool to see one of, if not the best flankers of all time

I took a few pictures of the game, but here are my observations of the evening and of rugby.

• If you are going to participate in a sweepstakes by guessing the outcome of the game, you shouldn't bet against the home team if you aren't already an avid supporter of the opposing team. The other members of your group will hassle you all night. This is obviously what I did.
• Contrary to my first point, if you can take the ribbing (which I can), then you should pick the game emotion free. I think that's what I had over the men. I made my bet based on the numbers and facts I had available to me, which is probably why I won the jersey and they went home empty handed and a loss for their team.
• Pick a team. Now that I have a Crusaders jersey, I guess I'm obligated to support them. But that's okay, they have made it to the playoffs the past few years, have one of the best players of the NZ All Blacks playing for them and it's always fun to have a local team to support. Anything to take my mind off the Broncos...plus I don't think I could pick the opposing team based on principal because their mascot is the Chiefs.
• The game moves a lot, similar to soccer, but is very physical like American football. I found it very interesting, but I am going to have to watch some games on TV because I just couldn't tell what was going on in the scrums from up in the stands.
• I don't understand all the penalties that were called. When I mentioned that to my group, they laughed and just said it is a subjective call by the referee and most people won't know what the call is a lot of the time. That made me feel better.
• Small stadiums are cozy. AMI stadium seats 18,000 for sporting events, which means no one is really in a terrible seat no matter how far away you are. I quite liked that.

Here I am in my new jersey!

Super Rugby

Friday, 21 February, 7:35 pm

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Crusaders

Chiefs

10 - 18

Final

	1	2		Total
Crusaders	0	10		10
Chiefs	8	10		18