The John Paul College first XV and the Beppu Barbarians in Japan. Photo / Supplied
The John Paul College first XV and the Beppu Barbarians in Japan. Photo / Supplied
The John Paul College first XV have enjoyed a team-bonding trip of a lifetime to Japan.
In 2016 Rotorua's Japanese sister city Beppu, one of the host cities for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, announced it had invited Rotorua to send a secondary school rugby team to play in a tournament in 2017, in an attempt to boost interest in the sport ahead of the event.
Western Heights High School was selected and attended the tournament last year. Rotorua was again invited to send a team this year and this time John Paul College was chosen for the experience.
John Paul College first XV manager Richard Haigh said the team played better as the tournament progressed.
"We had a couple of warm-up games in Osaka then went to Beppu and played in a tournament against three Japanese teams and one English team.
"It was an early chance to look at the team and get some bonding going. We wanted to go on a trip this year and this opportunity came up so we grabbed it. We went really well - developed into it from the first game to the last game, which is what it's all about.
John Paul College rugby players outside Osaka Castle during a trip to Japan. Photo / Supplied
"We haven't played since September and we were up against teams which have just finished their seasons or are still playing in finals. We lost five Year 13s from last year, we've got a pretty good core there still and we've pulled up a few Year 10s into the team to give us some depth going forward.
"[The goal this year] is to remain in Division 1 and to get a semi-final spot, which we just missed out on last year," Haigh said.
Those involved with hosting Rugby World Cup games in Beppu are making the most of their connection with Rotorua. Last year a delegation was here to watch the Maori All Blacks-British and Irish Lions clash at Rotorua International Stadium and from the Official Fan Zone at the Energy Events Centre, to see what is involved in hosting a major rugby event.
While in Japan, the John Paul College team spent time at local schools, learning about Japanese culture and running rugby sessions for the children there.
Another highlight for the players was staying with Japanese families.
"Talking to the boys on the bus on the way back from Beppu, one of the highlights was the home stays. They spent two nights with a family and they really enjoyed that.
"Another highlight was actually playing rugby. It's certainly a different style of rugby; it's fast-actioned, quick rugby, it's not hard-running up the middle. It's still physical and they've developed a physicality all of their own. In another few years watch out, the Japanese will be up there - some of those kids we saw playing were huge," he said.
