The Good Bastards watching a Rugby World Cup game from a bar in Switzerland. Photo: Supplied / Jess Petersen
It was a late Thursday night in 2011. An old boys rugby team had just finished training and were chatting about the upcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The group knew they wanted to go to the games, so they hatched a plan.
With several horse floats and campervans booked, they travelled around the country, visiting host cities with friends of friends and eventually forming a 44-strong group that followed the All Blacks till the very end.
And thus, the legacy of the Good Bastards RWC Tour was born.
The group heading to All Blacks vs Uruguay in Lyon. Photo: Supplied / Jess Petersen
Tony 'Tatts' Fraser was the organiser of that legendary tour. And this year, he's done it again, coordinating 44 'Bastards' across 18 campervans for a mammoth four-week trip leading to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Setting an itinerary for such a large group is no easy feat.
Tour member Jess Petersen says she's grateful for the time and effort Tony has put into organising all their World Cup tours.
"We've done three World Cups and one Lions Rugby tour. Tatts does a lot of research in the areas we will be in and finds a tour route that works for us all, so we can see as many cities as possible, and really take in as much culture as possible."
The 2023 Good Bastards tour started mid-September in Amsterdam.
Since then, the group has travelled across Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France, attending one of their first Rugby World Cup matches - All Blacks vs Uruguay - in Lyon.
A boat park in Lyon managed to house the Good Bastards 18 campervans, thanks to the organisational skills of Tony Fraser. Photo: Supplied / Jess Petersen
But hosting 18 campers near an international stadium proved harder than they had thought.
"Camper parking was an hour's commute away, so some Google search hatched a plan of staying in a local park," Tony says.
"However, contacting the local council in French isn't an easy feat."
The Good Bastards happened across a local pub instead, where it was agreed they would eat and drink while the owner sought permission from the local council for them.
"Next thing you know, we have a better location in a lockup boat park 800 metres from the stadium and 300 metres from what has now become our local bar.
"Turns out they host pre-match guests of up to 300 personnel, so there we had live bands and another 250 rugby fanatics getting revved up together before walking to the OL Stadium in our famous Fresian Cow jerseys."
This week, the group has flown into Paris, where they have tickets to the All Blacks vs Ireland and South Africa vs France Quarter-Finals.
Jess Petersen says it's been the trip of a lifetime.
"Growing up, I have always wanted to get myself on one of these tours. Seeing close friends and family having a ball and, wow, to describe the time so far, it's just been incredible. I can't thank Tony enough.
Nick (right) hosted the Good Bastards at his bar/restaurant on game nights in Lyon. Photo: Supplied / Jess Petersen
"For a first-timer in Europe, I've been able to see so much in such a short time and I've also made some good new friends along the way."
While the 2023 Good Bastards tour part ways after the quarter-finals, some are staying for the semi-finals or heading off to explore other parts of the world.
For Jess, New Zealand is beckoning her home.
"I know I don't speak for myself when I say how thankful I am for this trip. There were many late nights and confusing emails coming back and forth in French trying to organise it all. But it's been absolutely incredible.
"An amazing trip I'll remember forever."
A group drinks in Italy after a big bike tour of the city. Photo: Supplied / Jess Petersen