Sporting buzz fills city ahead of test

Kano (left), 9, and Beau, 6, get their fins up with All Blacks Shaun Stevenson and Anton Lienert-Brown at the unveiling of a special bench in The Octagon. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Sienna Buchanan, 7, of Arrowtown with All Black Ardie Savea. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Mils Muliaina (left) and Tim Horan were special guests at a special Bledisloe lunch in Dunedin yesterday. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

All Blacks (from left) Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Former Otago player and All Black Jeff Wilson signs his autograph for Archie Lipscombe, 11, from Auckland. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Rugby fans turned out to welcome the All Blacks to Dunedin. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Gemma and Hayley Morris, of Christchurch, with Ardie Savea. PHOTO: PETER McINTOSH

Rugby fans were yesterday treated to tales of transtasman rivalry at a long lunch hosted by the ODT and Rugby News magazine at the Dunedin Town Hall. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

It has been the quietest Dunedin rugby test week in living memory but fans and hospitality outlets could be in line for a super Saturday.

The forecast looks promising and there is enough intrigue about the clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies to hope today offers plenty of sporting drama as well as a buzz around the city’s pubs and restaurants.

Just six days after Forsyth Barr Stadium bulged at the seams with people yelling themselves hoarse at the Fifa World Cup game between the Football Ferns and Switzerland, it is time for another party.

(Clockwise from top) Hundreds of All Black fans gather in the Octagon as the team members are welcomed with a haka from pupils from King’s and Queen’s High School yesterday; River Mcpherson (left), 7, and Sienna Buchanan, 7, of Arrowtown, grab a picture with Ardie Savea on a special new bench in the Octagon; Suzie Jackson, of Christchurch, with the Bledisloe Cup at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Photos: Peter McIntosh

The All Blacks only arrived in Dunedin yesterday, and after a group of players - including captain Sam Cane -gathered in the Octagon at lunchtime to officially donate a special macrocarpa bench, the squad had a captain’s run at Logan Park.

That was promptly cut short as the players - and interested onlookers including former All Blacks Richie McCaw and Andrew Hore - were drenched by a downpour.

Events around the city included the long lunch hosted by the Otago Daily Times and Rugby News magazine at the Dunedin Town Hall, featuring special guests Mils Muliaina and Tim Horan.

Later in the day fans got a chance to see the Bledisloe Cup which was on show at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

The cup might be tucked away for a 22nd year but there is still plenty at stake in today’s game, which has a 2.35pm kick-off because of Fifa World Cup games taking broadcast precedence this evening.

It is the last chance for fringe contenders to impress before the All Blacks name their World Cup squad on Monday.

Fans of the greatest halfback in New Zealand history, Highlanders talisman Aaron Smith, will get one final opportunity to farewell the little legend, while stalwart locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will also be seen at home for the final time.

If there is one omen, it is that the last time Dunedin hosted an afternoon test - in 2001 -the victors were the Wallabies.

The Australian coach that day, who is back in his second stint with the team, was Eddie Jones, who was almost poetic this week when he reflected on how his young Wallabies were tracking.

"We’re a bit like a kite in the sky. When the wind blows high, we’re going well. When it’s not going well, we can’t cope."

Hopefully, for All Blacks fans, the wind-less covered stadium will mean the team in black celebrate today.

hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz