Daily+Report

27.05.10:

Hi just started this wiki I am leaving for SA on 12th June, for the world cup. 28.05.10 I am leaving for the wold cup at SA at the 12 of June and i had to have injections

1.06.10 12 more days to go

14-06-10 We arrived in South Africa last night. South Africa have really spent a lot of effort to make this a successful occasion and to show their country in the best possible light. When we arrived at the airport they had special immigration chesk-points for people attending the FIFA World Cup so there was hardly any waiting in queues. Then while we were waiting to get our luggage we were offered cans of coke with the FIFA 2010 symbol on (see picture attached)

We got picked up in a FIFA car which was waiting right outside the terminal. The car was driven by a special allocated driver and had a body guard. On the way to the Serengetti complex, we passed many billboards with welcome signs to visitors for the world cup and there were flags of all the 32 participating countries everywhere. Close to the complex there was a huge billboard welcoming the NZ team to South Africa and then inside the complex the attached sign was displayed.

Secrurity is very tight. We are staying with a family (photo of their 2 boys attached) in the complex and even though they live in the complex they still get their car and even their their boot checked when ever they enter.

It is great staying with the family, espcially as they are on holiday too., The school calendar has been altered so that all the schoos are on holiday while the World Cup is on.And apparently when the opening ceremony and South Africa's first game were played basically all the businesses in South Africa stopped so that all the workers could watch the game. We should suggest this to the NZ Government for the Rugby World Cup next year.

This morning the All Whites travelled to Rustenburg in preparation for thier game against Slovakia tomorrow. The team seem in great spirits and will be wearing their white strips. We will be travelling over to Rustenburg in the morning to watch the game.

GO THE ALL WHITES!!!

17.06.2010 WOW!!! what a wonderful few days sice I last wrote.

Going to the game on Tuesday we were able to travel in a FIFA vehicle in a convoy behind the All White's bus with a police escort. The weather was beautiful and sunny but extremely cold so we all got hot chocolates, which were served with a little packet containing sugar and little cartons of milk to cool it down.

The result of the game was amazing - the goal with just 35seconds to go! The coaches were thrilled to get a draw - the first ever points in a world cup - and were going to celebrate with champange - but the players said no. They were pleased to get a draw but were disappointed as they didn't feel they had played their best. So it was a normal dinner (with a few balloons the staff had put up).

Yesterday morning the players went to a swimming pool for a recovery seesion. This involved doing exercises in quite cool water to help their muscles recover quickly. Then in the afternoon the players all had time off to spend with their family of friends, or however they liked...well sort off - if they went out of the complex they had to have security travel with them.

During that time Matthew had a game of table tennis with Ryan Nesen (and won 5-4).

Today we were able to go to the All White's training session.

Once again we travelled in a FIFA vehicle in the police escourted convoy. It is quite exciting as not only are their police cars in front and behind each vehicle, there are also two traffic police who continually go in-front to stop traffic at intersections so that we can drive straight through - even through red lights. After we have driven through the intersection the traffic police then speed past us to get to the next intersection to once again clear the way. So on the 40 minute ride to the practice ground we didn't have to stop once.

It was interesting to see the practice and all the different things they do, They train very hard but there is a great team spirit and they really enjoy themselves. After practise Matthew and I had a kick about with Ryan and then I presented the banner to him a and few other players. They were very appreciative and have hung it up in their dining room so the players can all read the comments you haven written.

Tomorrow I am going to interview Winston Reid, Ryan Nelsen and maybe a few other players. If you have got any questions you would like me to ask them then send them through to me.

22.6.10 What a good score against Italy especially as we felt we were playing against 12 men (11 Italians and the ref).

Since I last wrote Rory Fallon's wife, Carly has arrived and is staying with us. She is a beautiful lady - both inside and outside - so it is great having her with us.

Game day was huge. We were picked up at 7am and taken to the airport. We had a bit of trouble there as my Mum and Carly had ID but we didn't realised Matthew and I also needed it for a domestic flight. They were not going to let us fly but we got our passport photo's faxed through from our host family and were let on the plane. Then during the flight Carly was sitting next to the Hospitality Manger at the Nelspruit stadium, and she asked Carly where we were seated. She was surprised that we weren't in a hospitality suite and organised for us to sit in one, along with our body guard AJ. Once we landed we had to go to the All White's hotel as Rory had forgotten to give Carly her ticket to the game. At the hotel they had a table with all the All Whites spread out on a football field. Then we visited the Sudwala Caves (a bit like Waitomo Caves without the glow worms) before we headed to the stadium. This time we had to do the "park and ride" thing - so we parked about 5 km's from the stadium and caught a bus to the stadium. Even 3 hours before the game it was so crowded and the majority of the crowd were Italian and they were very loud and confident that they would win. So when Shame Smeltz scored after 6 minutes the crowd was stunned .... and we were ecstatic. We were sitting just up behind the goal so had a great view of the goal. The rest of the game is a bit of a blur - it was all so exciting. After the game Italy's supporters left the grounds quite quickly but the Kiwi's all went to one part of the stadium and kept cheering for the longest time. The players came over and showed their appreciation for the support and even threw some of their gear into the crowd. Jeremy Brockie ended up giving away his boots, socked shirt and shorts and left the field wearing only his skins. We were able to go down onto the pitch and have a kick around. Then we caught the bus back to our car and the body guard took us back to the airport. The All Whites arrived in their bus and spent about 30 minutes with us and the other supporters and then they flew back to Serengeti in their private jet, along with John Key and his wife and son Max. We had to waited a bit for our flight and ended up getting home just before midnight - so it was a very long but amazing day. Yesterday was again a recovery session in the morning and then family time in the afternoon.

Thursday 24.6.10

Today is game day - playing Paraguay this afternoon. This is a huge game - really we have to win to ensure that we go through to the next round. The boys are in good spirits but are feeling tired and there are a few bugs going around. GO THE ALL WHITES!! · **How do you like Serengeti?** It is great – it has a homely feel, nice people and better than a hotel. Great having a room to myself. · **If you could play against any team, what team would it be?** Brazil or Argentina · **Have you always played in your current position?** Yes – I’ve always loved scoring goals. · **In a game when you get really tired, what motivates you to keep going?** I quote scripture, my favourite is Isaiah 40v31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” · **Who’s been your biggest inspiration or had the biggest influence on you?** My Dad – he has coached me since I was 5 · **What player has had the biggest influence on you?** Bruce Dyer (past player) and Darren Moore (plays for Bramley) · **Who’s a coach you would like to play under?** Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan coach) · **If you weren’t playing football, what would you like to do?** Be a rock star · **What’s your favourite training exercise?** Shooting goals || 25.07.10
 * ** Interview with Rory Fallon **

Will this is the end of the road. On my trip I got to do alot of things that alot of other people will not get to do like riding an elpent, playing with a cheater, visit an aids clinic or play soccer with poor people when cows pass by. This trip just lets me know how lucky we are to be able to drink fresh water or even just know my Mum and Dad. To end off my reports here are some interviews that I had with a few of the players: · ** What’s it like starting for the All Whites? ** It is great to play but we are a team and it is fantastic to be part of the team · ** How do you like Serengeti? ** The golf carts are great and it is like having a home away from home · ** If you could play against any team, what team would it be? ** Brazil · ** Have you always played in your current position? ** I have played most positions, I used to play mid and attack but best in defense. · ** In a game when you get really tired, what motivates you to keep going? ** I don’t like to lose so I try hard so to win · ** Who’s been your biggest inspiration or had the biggest influence on you? ** My parents – they always wanted me to do the right stuff and eat the right food. · ** What player has had the biggest influence on you? ** No one player · ** Who’s a coach you would like to play under? ** Had great coaches · ** If you weren’t playing football, what would you like to do? ** Work with kids · ** What’s your favourite training exercise? ** Lying on a couch
 * Winston Reid **
 * What’s it like playing for the All Whites compared to your club in Denmark? **More relaxed – resembles NZ

· ** How do you like Serengeti? ** I enjoy being in a house rather than a hotel, good having space ; and the golf carts are great. · ** If you could play against any team, what team would it be? ** Holland · ** Have you always played in your current position? ** Played right or left mid or striker · ** In a game when you get really tired, what motivates you to keep going? ** I have always wanted to play and love playing · ** Who’s been your biggest inspiration or had the biggest influence on you? ** My Dad – he used to play and I would go and watch. Since I’ve played he’s been a great support, has helped finance trips and often travels to support me  · ** What player has had the biggest influence on you? ** When I was young David Beckham, more recently Ronaldo and Messi · ** Who’s a coach you would like to play under? ** Sir Alex Fergusson · ** If you weren’t playing football, what would you like to do? ** Work with kids – either teaching or coaching · ** What’s your favourite training exercise? ** Shooting goals · ** How do you like Serengeti? ** Really nice – it’s been a long tour so it’s nice to have space · ** If you could play against any team, what team would it be? ** Italy was a big one – so now Spain or England · ** Have you always played in your current position? ** Since I was 14 – before that I was centre half or a defender · ** In a game when you get really tired, what motivates you to keep going? ** For me it’s about keeping focused & concentration · ** Who’s been your biggest inspiration or had the biggest influence on you? ** My family – my wife and 10 month old son as well as my parents and friends. · ** What player has had the biggest influence on you? ** The Italian goalie: Gianluigi Buffon · ** Who’s a coach you would like to play under? ** Alex Fergusson · ** If you weren’t playing football, what would you like to do? **
 * Jeremy Brookie **
 * Do you have a role model in the All Whites ** Ryan Nelson – he’s a great leader, always available for advice, and is a good example
 * Mark Paston **
 * Mark’s save against Italy was rated the save of the first round. **
 * What’s your favourite training exercise? **5x5 – this is when you have 2 teams and pass the ball around inside an area of 5 meters by 5 meters. I do a lot of different training exercises to the other players as I need to do a lot of jumping and diving for the ball.

This is end of my journey to South Africa. And after this great experience I am going back to school.