h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Last Test Match ever to be played at Wellington's Athletic Park resulted in New Zealand beating France 54-7. Oh the memories

When New Zealand's rugby team, the All Blacks play South Africa at Dunedin on July 10 everybody, everywhere, watching or listening to the game is requested to wear black clothes.

For followers of rugby a great site is rugbyheaven.com.au - live audio of all southern hemisphere tests and much more

So why are they closing Wellington's rugby ground then? Still not got over the drubbing the Lions gave you there in '93? Where's the new one going to be?

The new stadium is being built, nearly finished, just north of the Wellington Railway Station. It is on a site previously used as the railway marshalling yards. Famous games at Athletic Park include NZ 9 GB 3, 1904. NZ 22 GB 8, 1930. GB 30 NZ 13, 1993. I prefer to remember NZ 43 Australia 6, 1996

They closed Athletic park because after 95 years they finally realised building a rugby stadium on top of an exposed hill where the stadium acts as a wind tunnel might just not have been the brightest thing to do. Of course since 1904 they have infilled the area around the park with houses. Access for buggies in 1904 was dead easy compared with today horrendous non-access problems. Apart from those few glitches the park was perfect.

I prefer to remember NZ 43 Australia 6, 1996

Can't play rugby under arm eh!

AG

They complained about the weather, the ref, the food, the airport

I prefer to remember South Africa 15 - New Zealand 12
June 1995
But I'm part South African and support them unless they're playing England
SO I would wear green on the 10th July but it's not really my colour

I will organise a tall New Zealander to stand in front of you. Other famous Athletic Park scores. NZ 0 SA 0 1921; NZ 13 SA 7, 1937; SA 8 NZ 3 1956. A infamous moment was in 1994 when Johan le Roux munched on Sean Fitzpatrick's ear. Maybe the Aussies had a point in 1996 when they complained about the food.

Well, well!
Small world, isn't it?
Hello to Roger NiceTrousers III and Loonytunes.

Davion hello old friend. Have an orange. Which football team do you follow.

Must say the league is more my thing but an Aust/NZ rugby match is always a sight to see, even when the All Blacks win (I hope you realize how hard it was to type that L'Toonz). We thrashed Ireland the other week and it just wasn't fun.

NZ 28 SA 0. A great result this weekend. Aus v SA next weekend and then NZ v Aus in Auckland in two weeks time. When I lived in Aus in the 70s I followed Manly in the league. The wheels seem to have fallen off for them this season.

waaaaa
i'm gonna miss the world cup - they don't have tvs where I'm going
at least I won't have to see England and SA lose

If you have a computer where you are going http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au has live audio

i won't - transylvania doesnt actually have all that much electricity
I'm gonna get my parents to video potentially good matches

My dear Swiv, Tranxexualvania in fact invented electricity. Boris Karloff has often been jolted back to life from that very place. I think you are getting confused with Belgium.

whatever
but apparently the power where i'm going is vvvv expensive - and not to be used for watching/listening to rugby

thank god for vcrs - where were they invented

I believe VCRs were invented in West Bethleham one Christmas about 1999 years ago. Three wise men were having a drink or three at an oasis and this wonderful idea came to them. It was like a bright star in the sky. The world has never been the same since. Cecil B de Mille invented the colour ones while working on the movie, The 10 Ripping Yarns. The mafia invented the portable ones when out one night, thieving.