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Home / Sport

Lions fan drunkenly books trip to NZ for third test

NZ Herald
7 Jul, 2017 12:21 AM2 mins to read

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A father and son have made their way from Ireland for the deciding Lions test match.
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A British and Irish Lions fan drunkenly convinced his father to fly with him to New Zealand for the third test at Eden Park after watching last week's second test win from a pub in London.

Paul Farrell was celebrating last Saturday's victory over the All Blacks in London when, after a few too many beers, rang his 82-year-old father Henry and proposed the idea to make a dash to Auckland for the deciding test.

"Last Saturday morning I went out for a few beverages, obviously, to watch the Lions in the second test, expecting to be defeated," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast this morning.

"In our absolute astonishment, and I'd just like to say thank you to Sonny Bill William, we managed to secure a victory and from there on it was all up hill. Several drinks later, mid-afternoon, I was under the weather, let's say, and I phoned my father and said "I think we're going to have to do it Henry'. And that very afternoon, while inebriated we booked the tickets and we arrived yesterday morning."

Paul's father Henry, who visited New Zealand for the 1987 Rugby World Cup, said his son was so keen to book the flights that he couldn't turn him down.

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"Once he gets over a certain level of alcohol, just wait for it. Anything can happen."

"He was so enthusiastic, I just couldn't say no. I'd been here for the first Rugby World Cup, way back 30 years ago and had a marvelous time."

"When it sunk in that I was on my way, I couldn't wait to get here. To get the result last week and going to tomorrow's game - is just fantastic. I think for everyone concerned it's going to be an absolutely memorable game.

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Listen: Lions fans Paul and Henry Farrell

Paul said if he didn't secure tickets to the highly anticipated third test, then he wouldn't have made the trip.

"We were able to get tickets for face value. That was a prerequisite. Once we got those sorted we were exited.

"Hotels were proving difficult to find but we've gone an Airbnb out in Epsom with the nicest lady."

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The pair fly back to England on Tuesday.

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