Wallabies win big — on Waiheke
Unconventional base ahead of tonight’s test applauded by locals
Auckland’s Waiheke Island was this week roused from its tourist offseason slumber by a pack of travelling Wallabies — the Australian national rugby union team.
In their self-described “quintessentially laid-back” attitude, Waiheke residents tried to keep a lid on their excitement as hulking transtasman rugby stars filtered through their abundant wineries, coffee shops and beaches.
But as many of the rugby keen locals admit, coach Michael Cheika’s unconventional decision to make Waiheke Island the Wallabies’ base ahead of tonight’s second Bledisloe Cup test marks by far their most invigorating winter in memory.
“We’re just rapt to get them here. In the middle of winter not much happens in Waiheke,” said local brewer Mike Hindmarsh.
“We get bombarded for three weeks each year over summer and then it’s right off, so the attention’s nice. Good on ’em, it’s bloody great.”
Despite any pressure the Wallabies might feel following a dispiriting 13-38 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney last weekend, the Waiheke locals uniformly described their encounters with the team as charming. “They were super pleasant, it was lovely to have them,” Simone Artz, a waitress at Waiheke’s Oyster Inn, said. “There was a very attractive looking one, they were all quite attractive, we gave them oysters and fish and chips.”
Local Te Matuku oysters to be exact, and triple-cooked chips. Although it’s believed the indulgent meal was actually served to Wallabies coaches, not players.
The first public interaction the Wallabies had with Waiheke locals was Tuesday afternoon at Onetangi Sports Park when the team opened up their training session.
Intended for just the final 20 minutes of the session, the fan meetand-greet lasted more than an hour.
“It was really cool. I didn’t know we were going over to see the Wallabies at first,” said Taine Jackson, a 12-year-old Waiheke rugby player.
“I got asked onto the field and kicked with them. I would probably describe it as very inspiring. I kinda want to be more like them one day.”
Tuesday’s training session signalled the end of the team’s official duties, and it was off to Batch Winery for dinner.
Batch general manager Frank Lepera said they enjoyed a threecourse meal of lamb rump, Ha¯puku fish, pumpkin gnocchi, and of course, pavlova for dessert.
“Our head chef Christian Mata was a huge fan so he was really excited to cook for them,” Lepera said. “They just kept to themselves, were relaxed, made small talk with the staff. They were just really great guests.”
Wednesday was the team’s day off, and in separate groups they dispersed throughout Waiheke. There were walks along Onetangi Beach and Oneroa coffee shop visits, but
unfortunately, many of the activities on the island did not cater to the numbers, and bulk, of professional rugby players.
Adventure Fishing Charter owner Phil Scott said he just couldn’t accommodate the Wallabies.
“My boat can only take five people, they wanted to take 10,” he said, despite it being the largest boat on the island.
“I don’t know anybody else who could have done it. They’d have to take a boat from town.”
A giant flying fox ride, EcoZip, also did not meet health and safety requirements. “We’ve got a maximum weight range of 125kg, I think their smallest player is 126kg,” a staff member laughed.
Another stunt the Wallabies encountered at their residence, the Waiheke Island Resort, came from the owner of Waiheke Brewing Co owner Mark Hutchinson.
He placed a huge pallet of his Heke Lager outside the players’ rooms with the sign:
“Welcome to Waiheke Wallabies. If you win on Saturday this Heke is all yours. If not we’ll put it on the bar for the locals! No Pressure.”
“They got off the bus and said, ‘We may as well take the beers now because we’re going to win on the weekend’, had a chuckle and sauntered off,” Hutchinson said.
Then there was Waiheke Island Resort, where the 52-strong Wallabies team settled into refurbished seaview villas, character cottages and chalets. Resort general manager Park MacKay described them as “dream clients”.
“Honestly, our staff have been a little star struck,” MacKay said.
“My bar manager is a rugby referee and is trying to negotiate a few signatures. We have poured all of our resources into nailing this service because to be honest my goal is to have the Wallabies back again.”
If the Wallabies do break their 32-year hoodoo at Eden Park, Waiheke locals may again see an offseason Wallaby invasion in years to come.