Wanaka is famous for its Lake, Mt Aspiring and the Paradiso Cinema.   Not to mention its lack of locksmiths – more on that later!!

The Paradiso is a local institution, and one of “Lonely Planet’s” Top 10 things to do on South Island.  Marked by its eclectic mix of 60’s and 70’s furniture (and car bodies!!) scattered around a disused warehouse accommodating a mere 50 patrons.  Our (almost) private viewing of  The A Team was fully sick, eh bro!?  Future enthusiasts should make a B-line for the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies at intermission!! 

In the first noticable hiccup on tour, we returned home to the Lake Hawea Motor inn at 11.00 to find that we had been locked out of our celubrious accommodation (otherwise known as “A Block”).  After half an hour of phone calls in below zero temperatures, with the boys trying to put in moves they had learnt in the movie, we eventually were let in with re-inforcements sent from Wanaka.

Josh, Fongy and Zack learn to drive at the Paradiso

Geordie and Alex (discussing tactics!)

Dom, Tom and Dan....... back row lads!

This time local snackfood company Bluebird delighted the boys with the arrival of a massive pack of snacks for the bus trip!  With special thanks to the Lacinskis!!

The windows of the tour bus will never be the same from the scratches of digital cameras as the boys marvelled at the magnificent scenery that is completely unfamiliar to we of the flat lands.  As we pulled up to Lake Tekapo, the opportunity for a run around was simply too good to pass up, especially as some of the boys have never seen snow!

As an aside, Coach Vaughan mistakenly packed a tele-tubby suit instead of the medical blanket (don’t ask!).  Independantly, the boys decided to run a daily competition to see who did the dumbest thing on that day.  On the shores of Lake Tekapo, these two events converged and the future Covies tele-tubby tour tradition was born!

Tele-tubby Tom with Ziggy and tour mascot Wally

Touch footy

In a carefully laid tour plan, with bus driver Jamie (apparently another former All Black triallist……. or at least a member of the ’62 Possible/Probables) the team journeyed 450km to Wanaka on an intricate series of back roads, carefully selected to avoid the prying eyes of Taranaki Pig Farmers on skiing holidays and an expected media scrum.

Team coaches considered movie options of Rocky, Chariots of Fire, and A Few Good Men, but settled on the male bonding classic, Shawshank Redemption followed by a complete piece of rubbish called Master of Disguise (chosen by former captain Paddy who was yellow carded for his pathetic effort)

On a cold, crisp Christchurch morning, the team secured seats on the first tram of the morning for a gentle circuit of the very genteel Christchurch.  Thoughts quickly turned back to Rugby with the sight of a shy 10 metre countdown billboard promoting the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.  A couple of the forwards mused about their chances of one day making the Wallabies squad, while the backs went off for a moccachino and to txt their girlfriends back home

 Tries to Tom Molloy (3), Paddy (2), Tom flan and Robbie (1 each) and 4 conversions to Geordie!

On a crisp Monday afternoon, on the verdent playing fields of Christchurch Boys High, teams from rugby super powers South Africa, New Zealand and Lane Cove converged for a festival of rugby as a pre-cursor to the Tri-Nations tournament.  Whilst the Cape Town Rangers went down to Christchurch Boys High 23-19, it was the Lane Cove tourists who prevailed over the Christchurch  U14 selection XV from their B and C teams, 43-7.

Geordie celebrated his 150th game leading the team on, before facing up to an impressive “long play” version of the haka.  The haka did not intimidate, in fact it may have inspired, as Lane Cove put in perhaps their finest 30minutes of Rugby since the 2009 Grand Final.  After leading 31-0 at half time the boys came back on to find a more fired up Christchurch team keen to put the Aussies back in their place.  The tourists prevailed with a furhter two tries, with a final score of 43-7 a fine tribute to Geordie’s 150th with his local cuzzies in attendance and cheering for an Aussie team for the first time in their lives

Geordie leads the team on

And of course, the tour wouldn’t be the same without the support of our sponsors, and in the chilly Christchurch winter, it was the support of Skins that came to the fore!

Christchurch Boys High School holds 123 years of Kiwi rugby heritage, and has produced 41 All Blacks including the likes of Dan Carter, Aaron Mauger, Andrew Mehrtens and Richard (break your  nose) Loe.  Today it opened its hallowed doors to the team for am infusion of rugby history. 

Canterbury coaches Hugh and Wayne came down to Lane Cove training to check out the international talent……… a two hour session focussed on technique and Kiwi playing strategies in preparation for the big game against Christchurch Boys High.  After a gruelling session, Lane Cove coaches Flannery and Vaughan were offered a return coaching session for the Crusaders to show how Aussies play.