JUNIOR RUGBY - Rugby game's special day

It was hardly a clash of the Titans but yesterday's game of rugby played at Manaia View School gave everyone involved a bit of a lift.
The school's students made up the numbers and acted as hosts for the rugby game between Mt Richmond Special School in Auckland and Whangarei's Blomfield Special School, leaving the school's sports master Ian Bird very proud.
"They were perfect hosts really and showed friendship and compassion against those less fortunate than them, they even let the visitors score a few tries at the end," Bird said.
The idea came together after Blomfield needed extra players to field a team against the visiting Auckland school and Manaia View came to the rescue.
The school's players even lent the visitors some of their better players and later showed their visitors around their school, turning the day into a special occasion with their welcoming behaviour.
Bird said Manaia View will join the Blomfield students on the return leg of the journey next year in what will now become an annual event. He said an added bonus to the programme was the visit to the school of two players from the Northland rugby squad, Damian Fakafanua and Leo Taliu, who brought the provincial team's mascot, Tane the Taniwha, along with them to pose for photos with the students.