According to reports, the tour served as a great opportunity to determine which team should composed New Zealand in a bid to boost the team’s chances to win the prestigious title in home soil.

All Blacks coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith admitted last weekend in a press conference that a massive shake-up is needed in the team. This is to boost the chances of New Zealand in making it as far as lifting the trophy once the 2011 Rugby World Cup is over.

The selection committee chose the Shanghai-based architect among the many because the proposed design he submitted featured a strong public realm experience, not to mention that it is simple.

There were 237 entries chosen by the committee. Gedgaudas will be competing with the other four finalists, all based from Auckland.

The committee members stated that they are satisfied with the five finalists as they all managed to make the right balance between creating a great venue for spectators and celebrating the fact that the country is hosting a prestigious rugby tournament.

The final five designers were given until October 23 to finalize their designs. This ambitious project costs $74 million.

Grant Sinclair, a Premier grade referee, said that he had faced constant criticisms in the past but some have become personal lately. He told a local newspaper that he had given so much from his free time and for the past two years the abuse has just gotten unbearable.

Sinclair has been serving as referee in the New Zealand town for the past five years. He noticed that most of the coaches are not disciplining their players enough to respect the decisions of the referee.

The officials from the New Zealand Rugby Union said that it is rare for a referee to cite sideline abuse as the main reason for resigning from their post.

This season, there had been three reported cases of physical abuse of a referee.

The Marlborough Rugby Union has already issued a warning on clubs which could face a ban if continuing incidence of sideline abuses to referees takes place.

Brent Anderson, NRZU Community General Manager, said that there are fifty cases reported for this year, still below average of 80 incidents per year.

This, when the brave Taranaki sided before Tamati Ellison five minutes before the home semifinal against the Southland had been secured.

The stoppage time try of Wellington’s Thomas Waldrom blew the score line to 50-30 but the frailty in this match is enough to disinherit Wellington with the Auckland’s title.

The ability of Lions to score points has always been certain but doubts about the team’s tendency to give after Taranaki easily shredded their defensive line.

With Hosea Gear back in his arrogant form, Wellington has always looked to have weapons and blast their chance to be out of trouble but Southland is heading on Friday night to Cake Tin planning to expose some hints when different teams meat head to head in the first semi finals.

The presence of Ma’a Nonu has given a little help to detract from the revived flakiness of Wellington but it was also his cut-out pass that Cory Jane to full back for the opener. Right after second five-eights, Taranaki replied and Willie Ripia and Jayden Hayward added a conversion and were penalized to put the guests ahead.

Wellington’s lead was restored when Jane crossed after connecting with the halfback Albie Matthewson. Ross Filipo and Gear then combined forces to send Nonu over.

Wellington got a score again from Filipo but it was cancelled out by the second score of Perez. Wellington then needed the late effort of Ellison to secure their way to the semifinals.