Auckland v Hawkes Bay, 1 Oct 2010

Several of the Auckland faithful gathered at the Kingslander before the game, many wearing a version of the Auckland and Blues jerseys.

My favourite is the one on the right from last season – the thin hoops gives it a slightly less traditional slant.

To the game …

My main target was Hika Elliott. He has done a lot with his short hair over the last few seasons and we were keen to see what he had come up with tonight and to see whether we could talk to the man about his artistic influences.

Elliott was looking sharp and in good form but there were several other hairstyles of interest on the night.

Dave Thomas is working on a John McInroe. But without the headband, it tends to fly around a bit.

Hawkes Bay half-back Chris Eaton has been working an under-chin beard.

The real highlight of the evening was this great mullet from blindside flanker, Trent Boswell-Wakefield. He had a particularly eventful game, scoring one try and making a controversial pass for another. His foot was clearly out of play when he made the pass that led to Hawkes Bay’s third try.

You just wanted to run your hand down the back of it …

Kurtis Haiu revealed his tail beads ritual.

There was some big hair on the bench.

Steve Devine got a little animated on the sideline after some poor refereeing decisions.

The game finished in dramatic style with Hawkes Bay kicking a penalty to win the game … but unfortunately for all of the traveling supporters, Mark Jackman pulled the kick and the game ended in a draw.

An anti-climatic conclusion to a match that had high drama.

Winston Stanley went Sparta at the end

Selected photos