All Black Reunion

Rugby took over today, with 3 internationals to watch then a rugby dinner in the evening.

First up was Ireland and last minute heartbreak as Dan Carter kicks a drop goal, then Wales and another last minute heartbreak as the Aussies kick a penalty, and then finally England who were on the verge of getting blown away by South Africa but fought back but still ultimately lost. Beating these Southern Hemisphere sides isn't easy is it?

And so to the main event at the Gnoll, Neath, a reunion of the 89/90 Neath team that played the All Blacks that season, with special guest All Black legend, Sean Fitzpatrick. Neath lost 15-26 to New Zealand that day, but it was a cracker of a game and we came so close to turning them over, here is us scoring against them. The Neath team at that time was all conquering, sweeping away everything that was in Wales and further afield in England and France, and in the process scoring a record breaking tally of tries. They were one of the greatest, if not the greatest Neath R.F.C. team to ever play the game, they were certainly wonderful times!

BBC Scrum V's Phil Steele compered the evening, with some cracking stories and one liners, and interviewed some of the great team, Captain Kevin Phillips, Rowland Phillips, Mike Whitson, Phil Pugh and the try scorer that day, Alun Edmonds. Some great memories and despite being an eclectic mix of warriors, from farmers to miners to university students, the interviews clearly showed they were one as a team, and would fight for each other tooth and nail. This team was hard as nails!

And so to the special guest, Sean Fitzpatrick, who gave a good account of his career and provided us with an insight into the All Black team and psyche. They are so proud of that shirt and all that it stands for, and it is important that they continue to uphold their values for future generations. Sean explained some of the thinking like winning is everything; fear of failure and to be the best that you can. He sacrificed a lot to be an All Black, and I think that type of mentality is now showing itself in the Welsh team with the likes of Sam Warburton. He finished his talk with the haka that they carried out on that day, and gee whizz it sent shivers up my spine. Awesome stuff!

At the end of the evening there was an auction, and this is me with Sean Fitzpatrick and a signed Dan Carter shirt which I appear to have bid and acquired. WHAT?! OH MY! WHAT HAVE I DONE? LOL!

Thanks to my mate Dafydd for taking the photo, as my camera had packed in.