Singapore 7s Day 2

On Day 2 we had super tickets to meet ex All Blacks. Matthew was scheduled to fly and did everything he could to get rid of his flight but it didn't happen :( I knew it was for TV broadcasting and they wanted to film and interview us. I really didn't want to go with only the kids (I watched so many rugby games while I was living in NZ but I actually didn't remember Zinzan Brook... ) so we asked our Kiwi friend Shem to be a rental-husband for the morning.

We arrived at the Stadium nice and early - here is Oliver under his personal Super Rugby banner:

We were greeted by people from StarHub and led to the suite:

While we were waiting we enjoyed some refreshments:

Checking out our VIP seats outside:

Finally the Legend arrived and the interview started. Oliver and Luca got very shy unfortunately and didn't join in too well but at least they asked a good rugby question each. 

Luca: How do you do the Haka?

Oliver: How can you become a great rugby player?

In response to their questions, Zinzan told us that you need to be able to kick with both legs and practice passing to both right and left sides. He even asked Luca to perform the Haka with him. Of course Luca became shy and decided to just stand next to the Legend. Luckily Shem did a wonderful job of Haka-duet with Zinzan. 

We were given 2 official rugby balls which the players used in actual games last year, to get autographs. 

We also met an Australian rugby legend, David Campese -

Oh I was SO excited to meet my superstar Andrew Mehrtens!!!!

The Rugby Legends stayed in the suite for a while after the interview to watch the New Zealand Sevens play. 

Matthew got back from his flight just as the interview session finished :( Booooo!!!!

At least we got to spend the rest of the day together watching the games...

Nicola and Annabel - supporting Samoa today. 

Oliver and TJ:

Meisha's first time at the Rugby 7s:

James and Jason - looking slightly less drunk today...??

We had nice food upstairs in the suite together. 

Since the final was between USA and Canada we decided to go home early before everyone tried to get out of the stadium - getting a taxi was a mission! The kids were exhausted but we watched the final at home. It was one of the best rugby weekends we've had. Thanks Zinzan! So glad our kids are into rugby!!!

Singapore 7s Day 1

One of the exciting sports events we enjoy here in Singapore is the Rugby 7s. Unlike the normal rugby games we get to see there are so many short games in one day. And of course we have so much fun spending the whole day with our international friends :)

Quite a dilemma how to dress the kids for the day - supporting New Zealand or Japan.

In the end we dressed the kids up in an NZ theme. Luca in his Maori outfit and Ashley in kiwi dress up. Oliver wasn't too keen, he just wanted to wear his All Blacks outfit. Luca is being staunch.

Last year we won tickets to go to the games through HSBC so we were waiting for the same kind of promotion until very close this time. There was no promotion we could try with HSBC but we found a great promotion that we could enter though StarHub - our cable TV company. We tried our luck and guess what!? We won super special tickets - Two day entry to CAT1 seats for family of 4. On the second day you get to meet legend ex All Black Zinzan Brooke!!!!! plus we get to spend the entire day in the StarHub suite at the stadium (free drinks and food provided).  

We were so looking forward to our special rugby weekend. Here are some pictures from Day 1. We arrived very early so there weren't many people yet. 

We managed to find (it was quite easy to spot them!) our Kiwi friends who were dressed up as Billy T. James, the Kiwi comedian. 

Oliver and Matthew took their yellow towels to join the group:

Jason and James :)

Annabel:

Aisla and Ashley:

Naima:

Nicola:

Go NZ!!!

 

We had to make sure we added some Japanese colours when the Japanese team was playing!

Our French friend Fabrice and his daughter arrived later - just in time for Japan vs France!

And guess what!? Japan won!!!!

The kids were pretty tired by the end of the day. And of course most of our friends had way too much to drink. Not many were standing straight... 

Let me show you how our once in a lifetime special day of rugby went on Day 2 in the next post.