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Nigel Yalden: All Blacks v Lions going to be an absolute belter

Author
Nigel Yalden,
Publish Date
Sat, 8 Jul 2017, 5:13PM
Nigel Yalden says arriving at the stadium hours before kick off allows him the time to appreciate what a wonderful occasion tonight's test truly is. (Getty)
Nigel Yalden says arriving at the stadium hours before kick off allows him the time to appreciate what a wonderful occasion tonight's test truly is. (Getty)

Nigel Yalden: All Blacks v Lions going to be an absolute belter

Author
Nigel Yalden,
Publish Date
Sat, 8 Jul 2017, 5:13PM

It's 3.16pm and I'm already at Eden Park.

Yes that correct - four hours and 19 minutes ahead of kick off in the deciding third test between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions.

For those interested, that's still well off my personal best of six hours 58 minutes set on Saturday 31 October 2015.

Why so early?

Because it allows me the time to fully appreciate what a wonderful occasion a massive sporting event like tonight's test truly is and a regular reminder of what an absolute honour and privilege it is to do this job is.

It's seeing the security guards going through their final briefing before heading out to their assigned positions.

It's watching the truckloads of food and beverage being moved around the facility.

It's the hospitality staff beavering away feverishly preparing the corporate boxes.

It's the last minute manicuring of the hallowed turf by a diligent team of industrious and exacting grounds people.

It's the safety drills, the practices, the checks, the re-checks and then the re-checks of the re-checks.

It's watching the TV crews doing their pre-game rehearsals.

It's seeing the other radio broadcast teams setting up in the commentary boxes beside your workspace and chatting to your peers about what might or might unfold before us.

It's watching the gates open three hours before kick-off.

It's seeing the expectant crowd wander in and seeing the seats change from grey to either black or red, depending on the clothing being worn by the occupier of the seat.

It's hearing the murmur build to a hum; the hum to a buzz, the buzz to chatter; chatter to barracking and then barracking to a roar as the teams run out on the field.

It's the aural delight of hearing your countries national anthem sung with force and with accompaniment from those in the stadium.

It's the ripple of expectation as the All Blacks form the arrowhead; as TJ Perenara stalks his way between the rows of his team-mates before he initiates the Haka as flashes from cameras and camera phones around the stadium capture one of the great traditions of world rugby.

It's about letting those scents fill your nostrils.

It's about allowing those sights and sounds wrap themselves around, enveloping your mind, your body and your sport-loving soul.

And then, as the first whistle blows, it's about taking all of those moments, combining them with all of the other pertinent moments from the week – the trainings, the press conferences, the interviews, the informal chats, the discussions, the re-watching of the previous week's game - and combining them together to paint an every changing verbal picture which connects the two most important groups in any sporting event – the athletes and the fans.

Enjoy the test everyone – it's going to be an absolute belter.

Nigel Yalden is the Rugby Editor for Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB.

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