Dominic George: Off to Sydney for big winter test

Kieran Read to battle it out for the Bledisloe Cup.

Don't underestimate the value of a weekend of camaraderie. Whether it be shooting ducks, shooting the breeze or not shooting anything at all, it could be in your interest to indulge in some sort of group activity with like-minded people; yes, that includes where your filthy mind has just taken you - whatever floats your boat.

As we blindly attempt to navigate our way through the breakneck pace of our current existence, those that know about these things tell us we occasionally need to do something to break the routine.

I have such a weekend in the offing. Farming First, now The Country Early Edition, is to play host to its inaugural travel tour; the Bledisloe Cup in August. The show's not really taking anyone on tour - shows can't do that. No, I am - and I can't wait.

Tony Laker, award-winning travel agent with House of Travel, has temporarily lost his marbles and has offered me the chance to take 30-odd people to the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney this year. It's open to anyone - mates, couples or just come by yourself, there'll be loads of top-drawer company. I'll even accept referees against my better judgment, although you'll be thoroughly vetted first.

For footy fans the game itself promises to be cracker. The Sydney test is the first of the three scheduled for this year, the only one on Aussie soil and the first time the two teams will have met since the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham last year.

The Wallabies beat the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium last season 27-19 and it was a 12-12 draw the year before. That bodes well if you go on the premise a good sporting contest is one in which you don't know the result before it starts.

The All Blacks are looking to roll on after back-to-back World Cup victories and are sure to unearth some exciting new talent in the post McCaw/Carter era.

They should account for the Welsh with relative ease at home, but Australia in Sydney is guaranteed to be a mouth-watering encounter and arguably the test of the winter.

Of course, there'll be a get-together when we arrive on Friday night so we can acquaint ourselves with our fellow tourists.

We'll also assemble on game day for a pre-match function with a cast of former All Black and Wallaby greats before we take the boat from Darling Harbour, clad in our complimentary ABs supporter's jerseys, to the ground.

We'll obviously have platinum tickets for the game and then hopefully celebrate a New Zealand win in Sydney town.

For those who haven't quite had their weekend sporting fix, there's an optional NRL game the next day, an option I'll certainly be exercising! What better way to spend a weekend?

After a few days of sport and frivolity we'll be back to the grindstone, battling away in our day jobs, but hopefully just a little more buoyed, a little more optimistic and with a bit of a spring in the step.

It could be just what the doctor ordered and of course, whatever happens on tour stays on tour ... even that brief excursion to King's Cross ...

- For more info contact me at dominic.george@nzme.co.nz.

- Dominic George hosts Farming First, 5am-6am weekdays on Radio Sport.