Step off the plane at Auckland airport and you step on to the pitch. Well, a pitch, a mini artificial pitch, with a little stand in which those waiting in arrivals can sit while their friend or family member struts on to the turf to meet them, pulling a suitcase that disagrees with the surface.
In New Zealand and Australia Women’s World Cup fever has well and truly taken hold, with advertising, flags, welcome signs and merchandise on show. There is a buzz, in New Zealand because it is so rare that these players get to play in front of home crowds, being such a long way to go for friendlies, and in Australia because there is a real undercurrent of excitement at their prospects in the tournament.
