Arrival in NZ greeted in the traditional way.

Plenty of commentary so far on both sides of the world:

Scaffolders David Junior Makikiriti, left, and Sam Leohan installing a temporary grandstand recently at Toll Stadium, Whangarei, in preparation for tonight’s game. Photo/John Stone

Inclement weather has failed to put off footy fans in the North as the opening game of the British and Irish Lions rugby tour in Whangarei has been sold out.

Toll Stadium will be full with 20,000 fans for the game between the tourists and the NZ Provincial Barbarians tonight.

Five things to look out for during Lions tour opener v NZ Provincial Barbarians

Ben Te’o’s No12 audition and when Owen Farrell will be used are among the problems on Warren Gatland’s mind for Saturday’s match

Friday 2 June 2017

1 Te’o gets early chance to impress at No12

Warren Gatland’s team selection makes sense. Thirteen of the 14 who attended the first training camp start and considering all three fly-halves reported for duty the following week, he was always going to have a decision to make, opting for Johnny Sexton…..

2 All Provincial Barbarians eyes will be on Gatland junior

Spare a thought for Bryn Gatland, who will have Te’o charging at him throughout – he and his old man must have had a recent falling-out….

3 Decision needed over when and where Farrell plays

Gatland believes the Lions have a couple of advantages over the All Blacks for the Tests; goalkicking is one of them and their bench is another…….

4 Lions must adapt to five new laws already in place in NZ

The Lions are refusing to use jet lag as an excuse but such a recent, long-haul journey cannot help but have an impact. Consider too, the additional mental drain – this will be the first time they encounter the five new laws that come into effect in the northern hemisphere next season but are already on trial in the south……

5 Heavy rain may give a glimpse of Lions game plan

In New Zealand it is the Queen’s birthday weekend – and it is forecast to be tipping it down. There is a school of thought that says rain would suit the Lions but there is no better team in the world at showcasing their handling skills against the elements than New Zealand.

A good reason to get back to the keyboard after such a long lay-off.

The last time they were here in 2005 I kept a record through paper clippings and photos of the Lions’ tour. Well the world has truly moved on, so much of the reporting is far easier to find digitally and so the task of keeping a ‘scrapbook’ falls I think to the blog. This will make keeping the blog active all the more important.

Well the team arrived during the week and tonight in Whangarei they play their opener against a NZ Barbarians team. In the tradition of tours this team is weak and so a gentle introduction. However, unlike other tours this is the only straight forward match for the tourists. Aside of the Tests the Lions play all the Super Rugby teams and NZ Maori. A short but truly intense tour.

We have tickets for the First Test in Auckland and the Hurricanes game. Depending on the health of JC I may go to the 2nd Test in Wellington or to watch it on a big screen at the Embassy Cinema courtesy of MSP rugby club.

Fist game tonight will be watched with red shirts on and traditional curry meal.

Let’s go.

Yesterday Sara and I went to the Basin to watch the second Test against South Africa.

It was hardly classic cricket conditions with minimal sunshine, somewhat chilly and a nice chilly southerly.

It was not a great performance on the part of the Black Caps. In the end they had lost by 8 wickets by the end of the day, Day 3. We had already left but were mostly present to see the tumble of wickets and slow scoring.

Not really a great advert for cricket or New Zealanders at times with the number of people who were pretty pissed by early afternoon.