New Zealand's national men rugby union's team, the All Blacks, has arrived in London, and the athletes have settled in their home away from home: The Lensbury Hotel. The Lensbury Hotel located on the banks of River of Thames does not only serve as the rugby team's temporary home but as a world-class training facility as well.
TVNZ reports that the All Blacks have traveled across London for almost two hours before finally settling in The Lensbury Hotel, where they are expected to "get down to business" as they prepare for their World Cup opener match against Argentina. The Lensbury Hotel is an ideal location for the rugby team as it boasts a first-class training pitch which has been used by England Sevens in the past, according to the report.
"We weve very thankful after that bus trip to walk two minutes across the road to the field," the rugby teams's assistant coach Ian Foster said. "We just want to get into it. And the good thing now is that it's the start of the Test week and we've got something to look forward to at the end of the week," he added.
Otago Daily Times reports that All Blacks' hotel in UK "includes reminders of home as well as a substantial dose of the old enemy." The Lensbury Hotel is said to be filled with rugby team photos, which include the All Blacks team back in 1979, with Graeme Mourie as captain, and in 1983, with Stu Wilson as captain. Signed Kiwis rugby league jerseys can also be reportedly found in one section of the hotel.
The Lensbury Hotel dates back to 1930 and offers 171 rooms. It's a popular choice among sports teams and organizations as it boasts a full-sized rugby pitch secured with fences for privacy, a gym, 25-meter heated indoor pool, 19 tennis courts and two squash courts.
Other facilities of the hotel can be found here.
