Teamsays konnichiwa to Japan once more
A Manawatū rugby team is about to immerse itself in an overseas culture, with a bit of rugby thrown in.
The Manukura girls sevens team leaves today to go to the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament in Japan.
The players qualified as New Zealand’s representatives by winning the national Condor title at the end of last year.
It is the second year in a row they have gone to the tournament at Fukuoka. Last year, the team members reached the final, but lost to an Australian team.
Coach Kristina Sue said that the team members had been preparing since the start of the year and had held two recent training camps.
“Going to Japan it’s the experience, it’s more than just rugby. They're going to experience a language, a culture and be immersed in it totally.
“Interacting with a different society is so exciting. Our experience last year was incredible.”
She said the team members last year loved the trip.
While there, the students will do an exchange with Kyoto Seisho High School, whose team is also competing at the tournament. The exchange will feature school work and training.
They will catch up with former Manukura player Nia Sutherland, who is playing professionally in Japan.
There are eight teams in the Sanix competition and if Manukura’s squad reaches the final again, the students will play five games. There is a school from Thailand and two from Japan in their pool.
Sue expected the Japanese sides to be strong.
Manukura has three players who went to the tournament last year and eight players back from the side that won the Condor tournament.