Frank Fowler is a top contender for being New Zealand's number-one All Blacks fan.
Greeting the Stratford Press in a New Zealand rugby jersey and a door mat printed `All Black supporter lives here', Frank was thrilled that another person had enjoyed the work he has done to his front yard, which is clearly visible from the main road in Stratford.
For the past seven years, Frank has been decorating his front lawn with flags, banners, score boards and mannequins.
``Bigger is better,'' says the retired dairy farmer.
Although Frank supports Taranaki and the Hurricanes, his number one team is the All Blacks, he says. Unsurprisingly, Frank's money is on the All Blacks to win the semifinal this weekend against the Wallabies.
``We are going to win okay, because Australia has not won at Eden Park for 25 years, since 1986. They [the All Blacks] are not going to let them win with all of their fans, families and friends there supporting them,'' he says.
Frank says he is backing Wales to make it to the finals, but there is no way they will win the cup.
It's now or never for the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup because teams that were labelled as the underdogs are proving themselves as contenders, says Frank.
Frank has a number of scrap books with anything you need to know about important test matches, owns a number of rugby books, memorabilia, Weet-bix cards ... but his favourite item is his 1937 South Africa v Taranaki
rugby programme.
Franks says he can't pinpoint only one favourite All Blacks side.
``They are all special. Every team has been a stand out. They are getting better and better with
techniques, and what gives me the biggest buzz is when they play at pace. They are very hard to beat when they play at pace,'' he says.
``They are all x-factor guys.''
However, Frank doesn't rate Colin Slade as a first five-eighth.
Frank says he can answer any question about the All Blacks test matches.
``They give an enormous amount of pleasure to the average Kiwi man.''
And who is this All Blacks fanatic's favourite player?
``I'd have to say Conrad Smith and he has the same birthday as me,'' says Frank, who turned 72 yesterday.
His goal is to continue decorating his house until he is at least 80, he says.
``When people love what I'm doing, you don't want to stop it. It puts a smile on your face, that's what keeps you going.''
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