Simon still savours that Sydney test

For Simon Tremain, the All Blacks' clash with the Wallabies at Stadium Australia in 2000 has a special place in his memory. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Back on the evening of July 15, 2000, Simon Tremain was one of the 109,874 people who packed into Stadium Australia (Homebush Stadium) in Sydney for what he today describes as the match of a lifetime.

"Yeah, we went back into Sydney after that and had a bit of a late one," Mr Tremain said.

"I've been to quite a few All Blacks games through the years but nothing like that one."

It would be among rugby's great understatements to say Mr Tremain knows a thing or two about the game.

His father, Kel, donned the silver fern for 38 tests as well as being a Magpies stalwart and Mr Tremain was selected for an All Blacks trial in 1991.

While he did not achieve All Blacks status, the former Napier Boys' High School lad played to a high level with more than 70 first class games, captaining Wellington and Hawke's Bay - not to mention hitting the fields of South Africa when turning out for Eastern Province in the 1994 Currie Cup season.

He now sits on the board of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union and is one of 10 officers of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and is naturally devoted to the ABs.

That game in July 2000 summed up the whole passion of what the game, and fan support, was about, Mr Tremain said.

"My favourite games are those you think you might lose but then come back and take it ... the ones that get the heart thumping."

And the July 15 Bledisloe Cup clash was a true heart thumper.

After just 11 minutes, the home crowd was stunned to see the All Blacks charge out to a 24-0 lead.

"It was an unbelievable start - we were screaming."

But the Australians quickly woke up and gave their fans something to scream about and, at the halftime break, it was 24-all.

"We were a bit more hushed at that stage." Buoyed by the incredible roar from their yellow-shirted fans, the Wallabies kept the pressure on the All Blacks and it appeared that all was lost for the visitors.

But no one told Jonah Lomu, and the giant winger hit his straps and scored a last-gasp try to see the All Blacks take the match 39 to 35. "Just unbelievable," Mr Tremain said.

So it was with some great anticipation that he returned to Homebush earlier this month for another Bledisloe Cup clash between the great transTasman foes. "And I think that was the worst game I've seen," he said of the dour 12-12 draw which left the crowd silent.

"It's a long way on the train out to Homebush so it's a long way back into the city ... it's even longer when you see that sort of performance."

But the memories of 14 years earlier made the journey a little easier. "I'll be at the park to see the boys play Argentina - I wouldn't miss it because it's not very often the ABs come to town."