Room 10’s All Black Experience

On Friday the 12th, Room 10 had a once in a life-time experience when we got to watch The All Blacks, practice for the game against the Springboks after winning a photo competition      (which the All Blacks won 14-10 ). We received signatures from the whole team, including some of the world’s best players such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Beauden Barrett, many others and even the team coach Steve Hansen.

Room 10’s encouraging cheers of motivation and ecstatic songs of excitement rang through the Westpac Stadium like wildfire, as New Zealand’s best slammed the ball down over the line, and into the emerald strands of grass. Sapphire, cloudless skies filled the air, and radiant rays of the sun shining down upon many jet black shirts.

After intriguing runs of faultless rehearsal, Room 10 darted down the stairs and onto the field with various items wanting to be signed. Exhilarated and inspired classmates ran through the crowded line of spectators holding out rugby balls ( which were given to us as part of the event), posters, shirts and phone cases through floods of arms all waiting for the hands of the reigning champions to make their mark upon them. Nobody had any patience.

Time flew faster than the All Black’s long runs down the pitch. Before we knew it, the team in black were nearly chasing the bus, Nonu in particular. Leaving the Cake Tin was an act of disappointment for everybody. The experience wasn’t over yet though. When the dad of Wellington Phoenix and All Whites star Jeremy Brockie left the stadium gates, the whole class was crowing round, persuading him to call Jeremy. The device was put on speakerphone, allowing the whole class to give a second round of what could have been an overload of support. The words of the football star were silenced by the calling voices of sheer elation from our class. Because of such commotion, the call was cut short, and after waiting for 15 minutes the bus pulled up by the curb, the trip was over, spreading a sulk over our faces.

Overall, this experience that our class had the privilege of doing, is an opportunity none of us may get to have again. All thanks to the amazing class photo.

• Jemma Seymour