domingo, 23 de octubre de 2011

Auckland's World Cup party goes on - Stuff.co.nz

Auckland is waking up to a Rugby World Cup hangover, after a huge night celebrating the All Blacks' historic 8-7 victory over France at Eden Park last night.

The celebrations will continue today with a victory parade in the central city this afternoon.

Party Central and pubs across the city were jam packed til the early hours of this morning. Police say they had a "huge" night, and just after 6am a spokesman said fans were still making their way home, some facing long waits for taxis.

"It was more like a Saturday night than a Sunday night," said a police spokesman. He said it was too early to put numbers on arrests but said most were for disorderly offences.

The peak period was 2-4am, he said. By 1am, 41 people had been evicted from Party Central, with no arrests.

Today's celebrations start with a massive parade through the streets of Auckland this afternoon.

The parade will begin at the corner of Albert Street and Customs St West at 2.30pm. It will move along Customs St West and up Queen St, ending at the corner of Wellesley St and Mayoral Dr about 3.30pm.

All Blacks fans are being encouraged to show their support and pride by wearing black, and bringing their flags.

The parade will honour the team, who will be there with the Webb Ellis Cup.

Customs St West, Queen Street, Wellesley St and a number of other roads in the city centre will be closed to traffic and people going to the parade should get to the city in plenty of time as large crowds and traffic delays are expected.

Tomorrow, the All Blacks will take the celebrations to Christchurch with a parade finishing at the Hagley Park fanzone. On Wednesday, the team will take part in the third victory parade through the streets of Wellington.

Infrastructure came under early pressure in Auckland yesterday, with public transport busy from early afternoon.

Power was cut to Kingsland and generators had to be brought in for the local bars to continue operating.

Waterfront fanzones began filling up from early afternoon, and a peak total of 37,000 people watched the match at the four city fanzones. Thousands more were at other city fanzones.

A record 41,000 people walked the fan trail to Eden Park - including billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

Police said 12 people were evicted from Eden Park, with one arrested. Three people were taken to hospital from the ground.

Click here to see a map of Auckland's All Blacks parade.

- Auckland Now

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