KEY POINTS:
Perspective is a handy weapon when it feels like a rugby tour is becoming a slog. Snow fell in London on the day the All Blacks arrived in the city to prepare for their last test against England and what they hope will be a repeat Grand
Slam at Twickenham this weekend. That would crown a comeback year for Graham Henry, his coaching group and the players after the midyear blip in successive tests. Even without that result, Henry deservedly won the international coach of the year award at the IRB ceremony while star player Daniel Carter missed out on the top gong to Welsh wing Shane Williams. OK, fair do but given the season-long quality of captain Richie McCaw's work it was unusual he did not merit a nomination.
It was a cold arrival in London, much chillier than in any of the other destinations on this trip to Hong Kong, Edinburgh, Dublin, Limerick and Cardiff. Snow had fallen early in the city centre but there was only slush left for our arrival. We could at least find the warmth in our hotel unlike the local constabulary who were on their regular duty in nearby Hyde Park, rugged up to the nines, with their eyes and ears tuned for any subversive activity near the embassies which dot the suburb.
A couple sitting at the nearby table at dinner were down from Hull on the north-east coast to present their ideas to buyers in the fashion trade. They had spent some time digging their way through two feet of snow near home to get the car out before trundling to the railway station to make the journey south. They were an adventurous young couple with several kids who were most curious about starting a new life downunder. They understood and accepted how life worked in England but they hankered for a less congested life and more time for work, family and lifestyle. New Zealand had been an option for some time as long as they could persuade members of their extended family to join them.
On behalf of the NZ Tourism Board, I did my best to encourage them and could only wish them the best in their decision. It is at these times, towards the end of a tour, when you always hanker more for home and summer. The players will have a similar mindset as they juggle shopping requests from the domestic front and concentrate on a job that needs to be done at Twickenham. Some like McCaw and Joe Rokocoko are staying over to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies in an extra game, some are being whisked away for promo duties with their adidas sponsors in Europe, others go home while some of the staff have to get round the Super 14 franchises before Christmas.
Wynne Gray
All Black winger Joe Rokocoko is staying on in Europe to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images