ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
BUFFET BEWARE
The All Blacks have been on edge this week and not just because of their massive must win game against South Africa at Eden Park.
Despite their 31 year-old unbeaten record at Eden Park on the line and it being Ardie Savea’s 100 test, the AB’s are also wary of something else possibly lurking.
Ahead of the 1995 World Cup final, a waitress named Suzie was alleged to have been the phantom poisoner which saw the whole All Blacks team come down with illness only days before their final against the Springboks.
While Suzie has never been officially identified, her name still sends shivers down the spine of New Zealand rugby fans and current players ahead of big significant games.
“Look, I’ll be honest, I’m not touching the hotel buffet this week,” admitted first-five Beauden Barrett. “I’ve packed some Weet-Bix and a couple of tins of baked beans, just in case. Suzie’s not catching me out.”
Savea also acknowledged the squad’s nerves:
“Yeah, we’ve got a plan for the Bok lineout and scrum, but we’ve also got a plan for room service. We’ve put half the leadership group on kitchen duty.”
Even coach Scott Robertson didn’t laugh off the matter:
“Mate, Suzie’s the one opponent you can’t prepare for on the training paddock. You just have to pray she’s happily retired somewhere in South Africa and not sharpening her knives for a comeback for this game.”
More to come.
