A bright-red tide of British and Irish Lions supporters washed through Dunedin yesterday, before today’s match against the Highlanders.
The Irish brogue was common on central-city streets and a higher-than-usual number of kilts were on display.
From one tour bus were first-time Lions tourists Geoff, Wes and Nick Wheeler and Peter Taylor.
Irish brothers Geoff and Wes are 21 and 30 this year, while father Nick is 60.
"This is a birthday tour for us," Nick said.
"It’s top of the bucket list. I have always wanted to follow the Lions — it’s a fantastic institution."
It would also be his final Lions tour.
"We won’t be coming back again. I’m broke now," he said, with a laugh.
Mr Taylor, of Edinburgh, said if it was going to be a Lions tour, it was going to be to New Zealand.
"I follow Scotland around. I follow Edinburgh around. But to do the Lions is completely different."
The tourists said while about 35 people were on the tour with them at present — one of many parties in New Zealand for the Lions — they would be joined by more than 300 people by the time the test matches began.
"The people have been brilliant," Wes said.
In Whangarei, a group was invited to a barbecue, only to find they were the reason for the gathering, rather than simply invited.
Mr Taylor said he met a Dunedin couple while in Christchurch for the Crusaders game, who invited him and some others for dinner.
The group described Dunedin as "beautiful".
"We went to Baldwin St — the view from the top was spectacular," Geoff said.
Similar compliments were offered for the rest of the country. Mr Taylor said New Zealand’s pies were "great".
The only complaint?
"One thing that upsets me greatly is the pints here, or the lack thereof," Geoff said.
"I went into a pub here and asked for a pint," Wes added
"She brought out this tiny thing and I said ‘I ordered a pint’ and she said that’s the biggest one."
The group were all quietly confident the Lions stood a good chance of edging the All Blacks.
"It’s the strongest Lions squad we have ever had," Nick said.
Glaswegians Norrie Flowers, Sandy Geddes and Paul Thomson were also confident the Lions would beat the Highlanders.
They were enjoying their time in the Edinburgh of the South and many of the street names reminded them of home.
The warm welcome was another drawcard.
"The friendliness of the fold is just beyond belief," Mr Flowers said.
Enterprise Dunedin destination manager Ryan Craig said the city was packed out with Lions supporters. The stadium was close to sold out, and a fan walk would leave the Octagon at 6pm for Forsyth Barr Stadium, via the Dunedin Railway Station.
