All Blacks 2008 Tour - Pukekohe Travel
All Blacks Supporters Tour to the UK and Ireland - Pukekohe Travel
November 2008
Pukekohe Travel, based 25 miles south of Auckland, New Zealand, celebrated its 30th anniversary by bringing a team of enthusiastic rugby fans to Europe to follow the All Blacks on their Grand Slam tour. Gullivers Sports Travel organised the ground arrangements for the entire itinerary through our inbound tours department.
The trip began in Edinburgh where the group stayed in the same hotel as the All Blacks. They were lucky enough to watch the team practice the Haka in one of the hotel conference rooms just before the easy win against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scottish leg of the tour included travelling up to the Isle of Skye, visiting Talisker Whisky Distillery and touring the Balmoral Castle Estate.
Watching the All Blacks play Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin was always going to be a highlight and the group were not disappointed. A crowd of nearly 80,000 saw the All Blacks convincingly beat a poor Irish team. The Guinness flowed at the Brazen Head pub in celebration!
The All Blacks first won a Grand Slam against the four 'Home Nations' in 1978. The only match they lost on that tour was against Munster in Limerick. Thirty years later the All Blacks were aiming to avenge that loss. The chilly night at Limerick's wonderfully redeveloped Thomond Park on November 18 will go down as one of the most exciting matches ever. The anticipation was immense and the tension was often unbearable! Joe Rokocoko's 79th minute try meant that the All Blacks escaped with the win 18-16 and all Kiwi supporters breathed sighs of relief.
Before heading to Wales, the Pukekohe Travel group toured through County Clare and visited Blarney Castle. The group were warmly welcomed in Wales and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to one of the local rugby clubs. Singing, singing and more singing! There was even more singing after the All Blacks beat a determined Wales at Millennium Stadium the following night.
The last week of the trip involved travelling south to Taunton, Plymouth, Penzance and Portsmouth. Visits to the Eden Project and the picturesque St Michael's Mount were very popular with the group.
The final match of the tour was against England at Twickenham. Despite a few nervy moments, the All Blacks ended up winning easily and, subsequently, claimed their 3rd Grand Slam Tour title. A successful end to a successful tour for the Pukekohe Travel group. We look forward to working with Dave Hunt and the rest of the Pukekohe Travel crew again in the near future.
November 2008
Pukekohe Travel, based 25 miles south of Auckland, New Zealand, celebrated its 30th anniversary by bringing a team of enthusiastic rugby fans to Europe to follow the All Blacks on their Grand Slam tour. Gullivers Sports Travel organised the ground arrangements for the entire itinerary through our inbound tours department.
The trip began in Edinburgh where the group stayed in the same hotel as the All Blacks. They were lucky enough to watch the team practice the Haka in one of the hotel conference rooms just before the easy win against Scotland at Murrayfield. The Scottish leg of the tour included travelling up to the Isle of Skye, visiting Talisker Whisky Distillery and touring the Balmoral Castle Estate.
Watching the All Blacks play Ireland at Croke Park in Dublin was always going to be a highlight and the group were not disappointed. A crowd of nearly 80,000 saw the All Blacks convincingly beat a poor Irish team. The Guinness flowed at the Brazen Head pub in celebration!
The All Blacks first won a Grand Slam against the four 'Home Nations' in 1978. The only match they lost on that tour was against Munster in Limerick. Thirty years later the All Blacks were aiming to avenge that loss. The chilly night at Limerick's wonderfully redeveloped Thomond Park on November 18 will go down as one of the most exciting matches ever. The anticipation was immense and the tension was often unbearable! Joe Rokocoko's 79th minute try meant that the All Blacks escaped with the win 18-16 and all Kiwi supporters breathed sighs of relief.
Before heading to Wales, the Pukekohe Travel group toured through County Clare and visited Blarney Castle. The group were warmly welcomed in Wales and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to one of the local rugby clubs. Singing, singing and more singing! There was even more singing after the All Blacks beat a determined Wales at Millennium Stadium the following night.
The last week of the trip involved travelling south to Taunton, Plymouth, Penzance and Portsmouth. Visits to the Eden Project and the picturesque St Michael's Mount were very popular with the group.
The final match of the tour was against England at Twickenham. Despite a few nervy moments, the All Blacks ended up winning easily and, subsequently, claimed their 3rd Grand Slam Tour title. A successful end to a successful tour for the Pukekohe Travel group. We look forward to working with Dave Hunt and the rest of the Pukekohe Travel crew again in the near future.
Results
| Date | Match | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8 Nov | Scotland (6) - (32) NZ | Murrayfield Stadium | Edinburgh |
| Sat 15 Nov | Ireland (3) - (22) NZ | Croke Park | Dublin |
| Tue 18 Nov | Munster (16) - (18) NZ | Thomond Park | Limerick |
| Sat 22 Nov | Wales (9) - (29) NZ | Millennium Stadium | Cardiff |
| Sat 29 Nov | England (6) - (32) NZ | Twickenham | London |
Questions?
To find out more about touring the UK, speak to our Inbound Tours Department on
+44 (0)1684 293175
