Inside the life of an All Blacks WAG

Joanna Holley. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Blindside flanker Adam Thomson has only two game day rituals, says girlfriend Joanna Holley.

The first, a big plate of eggs on toast with cereal for breakfast. The second, blasting his favourite music through his iPod leading up to the game to get "geared up".

"Adam is a definite for eggs on toast and cereal," Holley says, hours before Thomson filled the openside flanker position left vacant by an injured Richie McCaw.

Holley was excited about the rival match between France and New Zealand, with no hint of nervous stomach butterflies.

"All Blacks are going to take it out," she said before last night's kick-off.

"It's a fresh new team, so they've got Adam and Liam [Messam] and Kieran [Read] playing in the little trio there. "I can imagine New Zealand will have all eyes on him but that's a good thing because he's got to step up and he's keen for the challenge."

Holley, 26, a former presenter on TV2 children's show Squirt, says she'll probably start "freaking out" during the game but felt calm the last time she saw her 27-year-old beau of one year, yesterday morning.

"He popped over because they're allowed out for a couple of hours before the game and he's sweet - just chilling. I think they try not to think anything about the game.

"He's been funny and annoying me, like he does, before games."

Holley jetted from Auckland to Dunedin last Wednesday.

"I've seen him heaps [ this week]," she said. "They get days off. On Wednesday he had the whole day off, so we took Conrad Smith, he's never been round Dunedin, so Adam prepared a little heritage trail.

"The All Blacks are really supportive of partners and family."

But one staunch rule is that partners stay away in the lead up to tests.

Not a worry for independent Holley, who went to the gym yesterday afternoon, before meeting up with friends, including other WAGS, and family at a pre-match meet-and-greet and light meal.

"We've got family and friends down so we're going to catch up with them," Holley said. "And we're going to catch up with some girlfriends and head to an event beforehand... so we all get to know each other. Then we all head along to the game."

After the game she provides her man with some constructive criticism.

"Some of the players will probably go out. I know Adam won't because he's fully in focus mode, so he hasn't drunk all year, pretty much."