READY TO ROAR
All you need to know
There’s no escaping the surge of interest in the British and Irish Lions’ presence on New Zealand’s sporting landscape this month.The onceevery-12-years circus is upon us. But, how did it all start and what can we expect?
The British and Irish Lions, formerly the British Lions, British Isles and, if you go back far enough, the Shaw and Shrewsbury Team, are a composite side made up of the best players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The side was created in 1888 by three professional English cricketers – including sports clothing outfitters Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury – who took a predominantly English side on a 35-game tour of Australia and New Zealand, in what was primarily a money-making venture.
The side quickly became known as the British Isles, and embarked on its first sanctioned tour to South Africa three years later.
It officially adopted the Lions moniker in 1950 and, in 2001, the word ‘‘Irish’’ was added to signify the side represented British and Irish players (reflecting that the Republic of Ireland is not part of Britain).
Why are they here?
The side never plays at home, instead touring South Africa, Australia or New Zealand in what have become regular four-yearly cycles.
This means the Lions only visit New Zealand about once every 12 years and, in their 129-year history, they have toured New Zealand just 12 times, seven of those together with Australia.
One of the distinctions of a Lions tour is that it takes in many more games than just the test matches, harking back to the amateur era when sides would typically play a number of regional sides as well as the tests.
These days, the ‘‘mid-week’’ games are against strong Super Rugby franchises, rather than provincial sides. Despite often missing players through All Black or Maori All Black commitments, those teams can offer up stiff challenges.
This year’s tour has been called the Lions’ toughest ever, with 10 matches in five weeks, including six before the first test in Auckland tonight, and the side has already lost to the Blues and Highlanders.
What can we expect?
Despite the hype associated with a Lions visit, and the huge interest it attracts, the tourists have only beaten New Zealand in a series once – in 1971.
On that occasion, the Lions fielded what is widely regarded as one of the finest sides to ever play the game, especially its starstudded backline.
It has won just six and drawn three of 38 matches against New Zealand, and many are predicting a 3-0 scoreline in favour of the All Blacks on this tour.
But the Lions have started to hit form, recording convincing wins against New Zealand Maori and a depleted Chiefs team recently, having already beaten a Crusaders side containing nine past or present All Blacks.
What economic benefits will the tour bring to Wellington?
The Lions’ visit to Wellington in 2005 pumped an estimated $23 million into the local economy.
However, figures for next week’s visit are expected to surpass that, because both the Hurricanes (June 27) and All Blacks matches (July 1) are being played here across the best part of a week.
‘‘We would expect that the economic contribution will be greater than that this time around, given that we’ll have more touring fans at the Tuesday night match than the corresponding Wellington match in 2005,’’ says Warrick Dent of Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda).
‘‘If you look at the projected numbers, we’re looking at over 20,000 fans coming in.’’
In fact, previous marquee events hosted by the city, including the cricket and rugby world cups and the annual World of WearableArt, suggest that number is likely to be higher still.
‘‘If you look at the Tuesday match, we would expect that more than a third of people going there will be from out of town, and then well in excess of that for the Saturday game,’’ Dent says.
He would not be drawn on how
‘‘It is our chance to shine, our chance to put on a bit of a show.’’ Warwick Dent, WREDA
much public money has been sunk into hosting.
‘‘We have a fair idea of people’s spending habits . . . we’re very comfortable with the level of investment and the return we’ll get from the visitors that come in,’’ he says.
More than a third of rugby supporters at Westpac Stadium for Tuesday’s Hurricanes match are expected to come from out of town, with even higher visitor numbers on Saturday.
Authorities expect to have a better idea of how many people will converge on Wellington for the twin matches following tonight’s test.
No rugby ticket? No problem
Fans who have been unable to secure match tickets can still soak up the party atmosphere at the city’s official family-friendly fan zone. Odlins Plaza on Wellington’s waterfront is set to broadcast both matches live on a big screen, with the area near Frank Kitts Lagoon to become a supervised party zone with live music until 1am. Food trucks, a bar and live entertainment are among the offerings throughout the week, including a movie night on Thursday where Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Hot Fuzz will screen (start times: 6pm, 8pm). Those interested in sampling some of the country’s best craft beer can head to the ‘Pint-sized Beervana’ event at nearby Te Wharewaka o Poneke, also on Thursday (7pm9.30pm). Offerings from some of New Zealand’s most beloved breweries will be matched with food from local eateries. On Friday, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will put on a special concert at the Michael Fowler Centre called Lands of
Hope & Glory, and the city’s arts and culture prowess will be on show at ‘‘ReCut’’ in Civic Square.
Over at the fan zone, Friday will also see a Guinness World Record attempt made for the most people simultaneously playing coin rugby. Participants are invited to bring a $2 coin from 6.30pm.
Those wanting to experience Maori culture can take in Wellington Harbour on board a waka at Te Wharewaka o Poneke throughout the week. On test day, an estimated 300 people will feast on hangi at a new permanent hangi pit. Tickets are available through Karaka Cafe.
The fan zone will also open from 11am on Saturday. Entry is free all week. However, there are no scheduled events on Wednesday. Events are due to run rain or shine.
‘‘Wellingtonians don’t mind getting out there and braving the elements and enjoying themselves and we fully expect that the touring fans will be exactly the same,’’ Dent says.
‘‘It is our chance to shine, our chance to put on a show, so I would encourage people to get down there.’’
Fandemonium on the fan trail
Walking to the stadium is to become an illuminating experience, with about 20 lighting installations set to bring the winter nights to light.
In a bid to showcase Wellington’s creativity and technological excellence, light shows, projections and interactive displays will brighten the waterfront path on Tuesday and Saturday.
The theme is Matariki – Maori
New Year – with illuminated poi, fire, Pasifika performances and Matariki star imagery featuring in the digital displays.
‘‘People will get a lot of surprises and delight as they make their way up to the stadium, but also, of course, when they come out of the stadium . . . in the middle of winter, it’s a great chance to use light, to use projection mapping and just some really quirky things,’’ Dent says.
Matariki, the Maori name for the Pleiades star cluster, was traditionally a time for remembering the dead and celebrating new life.
The fan trail starts at the fan zone at Odlins Plaza and travels along the waterfront towards Westpac Stadium.
After the final whistle
Thousands of people are expected to converge on the city’s bars, pubs and restaurants after the matches.
In anticipation on the influx of partygoers, city officials have chosen to close off Courtenay Place and some of the surrounding streets from traffic (full information below).
‘‘Courtenay Place will be a natural attraction for people after the match, so we want to make sure we put on a good show for everyone,’’ Dent says.
‘‘Looking back on 2005, some of the anecdotal evidence was that the experience touring fans had in Wellington was exceptional and we want to make sure they have an exceptional time here again.’’
What’s happening with public transport?
The two sold-out matches at Westpac Stadium – against the Hurricanes on Tuesday and the All Blacks next Saturday – are expected to be the busiest days on the city’s rail network this year.
Transdev spokeswoman Emily Liddell says an extra 35,000 people are expected to use the region’s trains on each of the match days, which would almost quadruple the Saturday average of just 12,000.
Tuesday’s patronage was expected to jump from the weekday average of 56,000 to more than 80,000. Those numbers would make the event even bigger than last year’s sold-out Edinburgh Military Tattoo concerts, and more than 30 extra services have been provided to cater for the masses.
On the Wairarapa line, extra services will run from Wellington to Masterton at 10pm and 10.30pm on Saturday, and at 10pm on Tuesday. The trains will travel express to Maymorn then stop at all stations afterwards. The journey is expected to take about 90 minutes.
For Saturday’s test, an additional train will run from Masterton to the capital at 2.20pm, arriving at 3.55pm.
Trains on the Johnsonville, Hutt Valley and Kapiti lines will continue running on demand until 1am on the morning after the two matches. Weekday trains on those lines normally stop departing from Wellington shortly after 11pm. Saturday night trains normally continue departing until just after 1am.
Before Saturday’s game, extra carriages will be added to scheduled train services from 10.30am. Tuesday services will remain unchanged.
Extra buses will be running after both matches on Wellington, Hutt Valley, Newlands, Porirua and Kapiti lines. Full details are available on the Metlink website.
Additional ferries from Queens Wharf to Days Bay have been scheduled for 10pm on both match days.
Courtenay Place will be closed to traffic between Cambridge Terrace and Taranaki St from 5am next Saturday until 7am Sunday. This also includes Blair and Allen streets between Courtenay Place and Wakefield St. Buses will detour via Wakefield St, Cable St and Taranaki St.
Standard road closures will be in place around the stadium on match days. Wellington City Council has warned people to allow extra time for travel and to expect a lot of traffic.
Where will all the campervans go?
About 1300 campervans are expected to flood into Wellington from tomorrow, and Wreda has conceded some freedom camping is inevitable.
Three temporary parking sites set up around the city are all booked out, and it is possible vehicles could end up being parked in Oriental Parade and Cambridge/Kent Terrace. The Wellington region has capacity for about 1200 campervans, leaving it about 100 short.
The council has asked campervan drivers staying at camp sites to leave their vehicles there, due to limited central city parking.
Self-contained campervans can park at the temporary Barnett St site, on the corner of Barnett and Cable streets, for $100 a night. The area will be closed to regular vehicles from Tuesday until the following Monday (July 3). There are no electricity or toilet facilities at this site.
Freedom camping will be allowed at the temporary sites at the southern end of the Evans Bay marina car park and the Te Kopahou Reserve entrance car park in Owhiro Bay. Fishing is not allowed at this site, and campers are advised to secure rubbish and other belongings so they do not blow away in the often strong winds.
A third temporary parking site has been set up privately in the parking area near the former air force and naval buildings in Shelly Bay. There are sewage and waste disposal stations at Evans Bay marina, Ngauranga Gorge, and Tawa Swimming Pool.
In Wellington, these are at the Capital Gateway Motorhome Park in Newlands Rd, and the Cuba St Motorhome Park in Garrett St (electricity only).
Outside Wellington, the following tent and campervan sites are between 20km and 50km from the city:
Hutt Valley: Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Belmont Regional Park, Kaitoke Regional Park, Rimutaka Forest Park, Harcourt Holiday Park, Kiwi Holiday Park, Top 10 Holiday Park. Kapiti: Kapiti Holiday Resort Porirua: Camp Elsdon There is free overnight parking for self-contained campervans at the following sites in Porirua: Ngati Toa Domain, Bradeys Bay Park, Onepoto Esplanade Reserve, Motukaraka Point Reserve.
Can I meet the team?
The short answer is yes. But you will have to be quick.
The Lions have scheduled few public engagements for the tour, and there will be none in the capital. That means fans’ best chance to nab a photo or autograph with their heroes will be when the Lions arrive at Wellington Airport at 2.35pm tomorrow.
From there, a few members of the squad, mainly management, will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. The public is welcome to look on, but the event is not a public engagement activity.
The team’s only community activities in New Zealand were in the first week of its tour, when it visited 12 schools, hospitals and retirement homes while travelling from Auckland to Whangarei.
The side also laid a wreath at the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial when in Christchurch.
The side will travel to Queenstown the day after the test, before travelling to Auckland next Wednesday ahead of the third and final test at Eden Park.