Fieldays squeezes the Welsh out of Hamilton

Welsh Number 8 Taulupe Faletau celebrates with his team after scoring the first try against the All Blacks. Photo / Nick Reed

The Wales squad have to fly out of Hamilton straight after tonight's match against the Chiefs because farmers have booked out all the hotels in the city.

The annual Fieldays at Mystery Creek are on in Hamilton meaning accommodation is once again at a premium. That means Wales couldn't get a hotel following tonight's tour match at at Waikato Stadium and will take a chartered plane to Wellington after the game.

The two teams broke with tradition and, perhaps created a new one for touring teams here - by holding their post-match dinner on Sunday night, 48 hours before the match.

The two squads mingled over dinner at company director Mitch Plaw's palatial property on the banks of Lake Karapiro, a social return to the old traditions of the game, which, sadly in this professional age is virtually no more.