Read on for Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby centre Nick De Luca's exclusive Rugby World Cup blog from New Zealand.
Well we've finally made it! After months of near-impossible training, two EMC internationals, making the squad, a fantastic send off dinner and over 45 hours of traveling, we landed in Invercargill!
We are all raring to go and are all excited that it's finally upon us and can show everyone the benefits of our hard work. We have had a great build-up to the tournament, not only the two wins versus Italy and Ireland, but an excellent training camp in Sanctuary Cove, on the gold coast of Australia. And as the name might suggest, there was some much needed sunshine to recharge the batteries before we arrived at a home from home in Invercargill!
We enjoyed some great hospitality and everything the area had to offer, including some of the boys learning to surf, only to be shown up by our very own Kelly Slater, Ross Rennie! The theme parks were another venue of choice on an afternoon off, however for Richie Gray, his height held him back for once as he was too tall for every ride in the park! It wasn't all fun and games though. We had a great hit-out against Canada and some vital preparation and training . . . well, when the kangaroos and snakes let us use their pitch!
We left the Cove on Wednesday at 5am, and knew we had three flights before finally making our final destination. Luckily for us the staff of Air New Zealand, like the Emirates crew which had brought us from Scotland, did everything they could to make us comfy.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Invercargill for the awesome, inspiring welcome we received, including a very passionate Maori welcome dance, and some local songs!
After the welcome, the mixed veg (non 22 for the Romania game, which included me) stayed behind to sign some material and get to know the fans. It was great to learn how strong the Scottish connection is with the people here and have no doubt they will be in full voice for our games here!
We then went off to another Maori to enjoy more of the local hospitality and some of the famous produce, although, we won't be eating the raw oysters, just in case!
After that it was team run and before the business started. Although I wasn’t involved in the Romania game I was itching to see the boys play.
Now, off the back of four consecutive Scotland wins, I’ve been selected to play against Georgia tomorrow so, having either watched or been part of that success, comes the pressure from within the squad, as well as outside, to perform and win.
Saturday (v Romania) put us through the mill emotionally in the we were in a position where if we lost it, it could have ruined out World Cup but we’ve got to take it game by game and not worry about what’s happening next. We’re not looking any further than this game (v Georgia), it’s going to be a tough game and we’re looking forward to the challenge.
Finally I'd just like to wish the Edinburgh Rugby boys all the best in their third RaboDirect PRO12 game against the Connacht!! All the best!
Nick De Luca
Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby centre
