Going Full-Kiwi

Our Kiwi eating her kiwis

After a year of living in New Zealand I have finally tried some very Kiwi things, Weet-Bix and Rugby. I now know that both are wonderful.

The breakfast bricks of champions 

It took me a year to be willing to try Weet-Bix because it looks so weird. It is a brick, the size and shape of a granola bar. They are sold in a short stocky box that is literally stacked with bricks of Weet-Bix. To eat for brekkie (breakfast) you place 2 bricks in a bowl and pour milk over them.  I imagined it would taste like cardboard. But, I was wrong. It's good. It tastes kind of like Wheaties, but less sweet. Now I know why they don't sell Wheaties here. How could they? Weet-Bix are so common place and popular that Wheaties just couldn't compete. I think they are pretty fantastic.

I won't be surprised to find out that all the All Blacks Rugby players were raised on Weet-Bix. A bowl full of Weet-Bix definitely makes you feel like you can tackle anything or anyone that comes your way. Here is a video for fun.

Stephen and I went to our first rugby match. It was the All Blacks verses the South Africa Springboks. Before the match the field looked like a gym with all the players doing all sorts of exercises and stretches. Then the players left the field to dress in their game uniforms and the pageantry on the field began. There were people dressed in traditional Maori costumes performing. The army brought out huge flags of each of the teams. Performers sang both national anthems. Then the teams took the field. First the Springboks then the All Blacks. Then the All Blacks preformed their famous Haka and the match was set to begin.

Maori traditions before the match

The All Blacks Flag

Rugby kind of has the feel of American football with tackling. But with elements of kicking like soccer and volleying the ball like volleyball and stunts like cheering leading. Rugby is very creative in that sense. Even when the player with the ball is tackled to the ground the play just keeps on going. The players did all sorts of creative means to keep the ball in play. It was enjoyable to watch them play. And you really have to watch closely because the games moves quickly and there is no announcer telling you what is going on.

The All Blacks were ahead with more tries (points) and ready to win the match until literally the last minute. Then South Africa earned a try and tied the match. And it ended just like that as a tie. No overtime to determine a victor. Just an unsatisfactory tie. Both left winners and losers.

Date night with the All Blacks 

As a side note, a lady in our ward who also lives in our neighbourhood is the Ambassador of South Africa in New Zealand. One night for dinner she hosted the whole South African Springbok Rugby team at her home. She said they loved the food she served because they are on a very strict diet, but at her house they were allowed to eat as much of anything they wanted. She also said even the smallest member of the team was huge.