“It’s ‘that’ time already!” Well, that’s not quite true, as my wife beat me to it, but it was definitely black, All Black outside, and Andy Haden was nowhere in sight to ‘quota’ it out of here. While outside was an indication of things to come, this day, pregnant with potential, was about to give birth, it was time to look beautiful.

You see, what was about to unfold was in my reality only days old, as a whole new concept had entered my world, as I had come across an idea! I don’t know about you, but the All Blacks have been a huge part of my cultural and sporting world since Mr and Mrs King had decided to give me life! Now, here was a chance to be part of something that would not only reflect this passion, but would do so in stereophonic clarity, as the good people at Telecom had a cunning plan, and while I am no weasel, I was pinning my tail to its possibility.

Middle New Zealand is a busy place at this time of the morning, but I was able to make my way to the Palmerston North airport, arriving in one piece, and after paying five dollars to leave the “said” airport, which some may conclude is a very small price to pay for freedom, I jetted off in my flying pencil. Okay, so it was not quite that small, but you get the picture! Arriving in one piece… again, and waiting for pick-up, we would soon be at the ‘match venue,’ where the details of this day would really begin, and the Backing Black show-time would finally hit the road. Audition a-waits!

Do you have the rock star in you? If not, then this is probably not your gig, as upon arrival the lights and camera were definitely on, and Elvis was even there, wearing an undersized blue polo shirt, with a shock of white paint in the corner [insert: Telecom symbol], as the whole crew now together, linked arms, drank smoothies and sung “kumbaya” [insert: a song]… Well, not quite, but this new family of supporters after introducing themselves to their new team-mate, sat down a-waiting what would happen next!

This is the section in the plot-line where we introduce the mood music, as things are about to take a turn for the intense, as the Backing Black audition begins…

Just in case you are reading for pleasure, and not because you know where this piece of cleverly created literature is heading, let me provide a little context to what is about to transpire. 15 [extra] ordinary individuals are soon-to-be-put through their performing paces, with three tasks about-to-be-set, which would help decide who would make it alive and kicking, into the Starting Line-up of Backing Black, a new movement of Support for our All Blacks… and just when you cannot take the tension, the moving picture maker [camera] was recording this for a later moment. “Argh, I can hardly type with all this excitement!”

As you can read, i am a drama king, but after some visual and verbal encouragement from those up front, it was time to tackle… Task Number One.

Splitting into groups of three, and dealt a dubious hand with the Swedish-Kiwi, Jarmo, and the Born n Bred Naki One, Shane… No, not in-bred… how rude… Moving right along… We three men, and the other groups were given a table full of materials, from wire-netting [No, not the old No 8, Jarmo] to fabric and paint, where we had to construct an object to signal our support for the ABs. We constructed “Buck,” of the “Bringing Back” variety, who also doubled as a backpack. With Backing Black bandanna on, spatulas [for all the “blokes,” these are located in the Kitchen] at the ready, this “dummy” was a warrior looking to incite war. Scary stuff! All the other groups deserve a “full credit,” except for one, who decided they had to include “the sheep.” Do they really think the opposition supporters need any encouragement?! Enough said! With the ba-aa-aa-r now raised… I told you that sheep idea would get us in trouble… Task One was done and dusted, with preparations now being made for the biggee, the mock radio interview, in front of three All Blacks, one important Telecom guy… and don’t forget the camera, with Elvis still in building, tight polo and all, ready to ask the questions!

Just before you perceive where we could be going next, three All Blacks walk into the room! No biggee, just sayin!

While it would make good copy to describe how spell-bound we were, I was definitely keeping my underwear to myself, however, it was great to meet and chat with Conrad Smith, Anthony Boric, and Tanerau Latimer. When I eventually closed my pie-hole, I can safely say that we all had a great time to chat with three down-to-earth [that’s called gravity, stupid] kiwi boys, who were just very good at something we find kind-of important. Over lunch, when it arrived, for those who ordered Eggs… Where’s Jake the Mus when you need him?… we digressed some more, even as the radio thing clouded over many a mind, who just wanted to get it over and done with!

Task Two could very well be described as the highlight of my day. It is hard to describe how this went for the group, as we waited outside, entering one-by-one, when it became our turn to unleash the beast. As this started, I was attempting to finish off my Eggs, so while I was inhaling the food, members of the 15 began to exhale their hot-air, adding words where necessary. While all did over and above the call of duty, I will merely digress on my own experience, which was near the end.

Freedom in word-speak tends to be something I live by, and when the moment encourages adrenalin-inducing mayhem to the brain, my mouth is on, and I am ready to make rhapsody. We were given the questions beforehand to prepare, but as is my m.o., the moment births words only a mother could love, and as the stage was my oyster, I was seeing food, and eating it! In other words, I thought I did okay. We had experienced a most joyous of times, which we saluted with the call for our third and final task, Task Three!

For the final challenge, we were again split into three’s, this time I was given the pleasure to collaborate with Cheryl of Telecom and Stephen, the man not afraid of a quick one-liner! With the All Blacks down 7 points near the end of the game, we were given the job of rallying the troops, calling for the masses to scream… out loud! You should have seen this! Yes, there were five different teams, and we all had our different takes on this concept, but we had come together as one, which is really what Backing Black is all about. We hardly knew each other, but we were part of the same tribe, and this was enough to bond us in Black! Therefore, this was a time of much noise and much celebration, as each team, amazingly, got the crowd involved, which was the catalyst in getting our ABs over the finish line!

There we have it, with the Three Tasks down, the story is finished! Not so fast, as we are about to change gears!

We were not together for a long time, but it was certainly a good time, and things were about to get a lot louder, as Heaven, Hog-style was about to blow our ear-drums. Typical of the City of Squalls, a down poured onto our parade, as Telecom and friends decided to take us on a joy ride, a celebration of sorts, on the back of a Harley Davidson. If you have seen the photos, then it will be no surprise that this included our new “mates,” with the three All Blacks getting their own piece of leather, as we made our way around the streets of central Auckland! However, this was no Sunday cruise, as we were heading in a certain direction, with the place of our Harley destination the site we hope will be the returning of our Rugby Eden, come 20-11!

There are no prizes for guessing, but our final destination was indeed Eden Park, the becoming new and we hope improved home for the business end of the World Cup. After getting our own personal tour, checking out the new home changing rooms, climbing to a viewing platform in the new South Stand, even checking out the glad-wrap they have put around this seating structure, we made our way inside the North Stand, to a given room, where a certain announcement, would take place!

All this has been post-script, as ScottonTour, who is trying his best to handle the role of ScottOffTour has informed all. If you see him walking by, just smile… but don’t say, “Hi,” as he may follow, and even “handstand” you! What I am trying to communicate is the Starting Line-up has been chosen, and except for a possible intervention of “Suzie”… on steroids… You know what I mean. Much love and congratulations goes to all who entered, and to Telecom, for providing the opportunity to give us wings!

While you may see and read more of some of us, we are one big team, and with Telecom as our Captain, we are committed to being committed for our black shirted brethren bound in All Black…

What About You? Will You Stand?

While you may have stumbled onto Backing Black at some ungodly hour, we do hope our big idea of a movement seems really right! We hope that all New Zealanders and All Black supporters on this pale blue dot of a planet will join us, viewing this movement as a means for giving them a mouthpiece for their mayhem, as a vehicle to encourage their venting, and as a place where we can all get together, and go strong [Kia Kaha].

We want the masses to unite, building something into our support that will last even after the final whistle has blown. The silence in our support needs to cease. It is time to stand up and sing… even out-loud!

Dreams Are Supposed To Be Lived, Let’s Start… Today!

Until Next Time

i am jonny king

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And, as an added extra on this first piece, below is a comment left by ex-England Rugby Captain, Will Carling, whom I signed-up. Not afraid of the Bants, our Will; also of the more spirited language. Apologies!