Absorbing the atmosphere as the town prepares for the big event. Shocked at how busy it is, it has been busy all week but this is amazing! Fan-zone by our boat is full and closed 5 hours before KO (we have VIP passes as boat moored here, so can come and go as we please). Everyone in NZ seems to be in town with massive crowds walking one way to match and other way to fan zones. Whole families here, all wearing AB shirts. See on Twitter that there is a power out ...

Seems odd being moored at Tauranga a couple of days ago and visiting Rotorua, now we are doing another tour in area whilst moored in Auckland. Long drives from either base but lots to see on the way. Got to see Hamilton today. The caves were great, stalactites, stalagmites and millions of glow worms. And it is something to fill time between the bronze final and the big final. Oddly we are on a very posh coach that must seat 60, but only 8 of us. Seems to be a t...

Played 5 games of table tennis this morning after breakfast. We have played a lot as tables are at exit of buffet. Only other people around were out in open on top deck, nice and sunny. After about 40 minutes a guy watches us for a while and then presents us with prizes - torch keyrings. There was a table tennis competition (we checked when we got back to cabin and it shows up there). Anyway, as we were only ones there so we won. . . RWC 2011 TT Champions!

Eden Park feels like it is our home ground already. Roll on S4C. Locals very friendly, chatted for ages with one of guys in fan-zone. He lives in Auckland and only started today working in dock area - they are obviously planning for a very big night on Sunday. The fan-zone by us is always busy as are the streets around with street theatre, loads of people etc. It was full for NZ semi and people directed to a new area, Sunday promises to be even busier. Locals a...

Ship docked back at our "home" in fan-zone this morning. Looking forward to match tonight to get us back into rugby mood after the various tours. We seem to be doing the rounds of the Championship clubs, already chatted with Esher and Wuss supporters, met a couple from Derby who support Nottingham so talked out our 25 all draw last week.