City abuzz on eve of All Blacks test

The situation was pretty black and white in Dunedin yesterday.

Nearly everything in the city is in support of the All Blacks in the run-up to tonight's second Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies.

• Cup win 'would be huge'
• Squire keen for strong showing

And even though the score is still to be settled, there is an air of excitement and celebration.

All Blacks were out and about yesterday, signing autographs and being photographed with fans.

For Penny McRandle, a chance meeting with Dane Coles, Joe Moody and captain Kieran Read at ASB's George St branch had medicinal benefits.

The 22-year-old University of Otago marketing student had just been discharged from Dunedin Hospital following emergency surgery for a hernia, and her mother, Alwyn, had picked her up to go out for coffee when they noticed a queue outside the bank.

``We just came past and saw these guys,'' Miss McRandle said.

``It's definitely going to make Dad and my brother very jealous because they're such big fans. We got some photos with them. It's definitely made me feel a lot better than I did earlier this week.''

Halfway Bush School was one of many schools to wear black in support of the All Blacks.

But not everyone was a supporter of the national team.

Year 1 and 2 teacher Margaret McLennan said she was born near Canberra and despite living in New Zealand for the past 32 years with her Kiwi husband and acting principal Graham, she wore a Wallabies rugby jersey to school yesterday, the only person to do so.

She said she got a ribbing from her husband from time to time, but ``the green and gold hasn't worn off yet. I'm still a staunch supporter''.

While she was the odd one out yesterday, she certainly did not feel like an outcast, she said.

The Bledisloe Cup match had provided her class with lessons about having pride in their country and the importance of role models.

Pupils spent much of yesterday making and eating cup-cakes with All Blacks decorations on them, and created an All Blacks banner to go on their front fence.

Otago Motel Association president Alex Greenan said the city's accommodation was ``chocker''.

``She's pretty full up. With a big match like this, we've been booked out for months.''

He said many guests began arriving in the city on Thursday, and while most would leave again tomorrow morning, many were staying for a extra-long weekend and going home on Monday.

``You walk down the street and you can see quite a few Australians and Kiwis going around.

``There's a great atmosphere in the city.''

john.lewis@odt.co.nz