THE New Zealand Marist Rugby team's visit yesterday to Chanel College gave students belly laughs, lineout lifts and a load of sporting equipment.
Principal Grant Miles said the national team visit yesterday came ahead of their match against New Zealand Heartland XV at Memorial park in Masterton today.
He said the squad were accompanied by NZ Marist Rugby Football Federation chief executive Tony Meachen, president Richard McRae, and Masterton policeman and former Wairarapa-Bush player Nathan 'Chopper' Riwai-Couch, who was the NZ Marist team manager. The squad, which is selected from teams playing in eight regions across the country, yesterday tested the ball skills of teachers and student representatives in the college gymnasium before handing on the sports equipment, with either a straight hand to hand pass or with a three-person lineout lift and capture.
The equipment included netball, volleyball, basketball and rugby balls and each catch or drop drew applause and laughter from students and staff alike. Mr Miles said the Marist team spirit on display during the visit reflected the special character of the college, which had "truly appreciated the generosity of the Marist team in spending this time with us and donating the sports equipment".
