New Zealand touch player Ash Robinson dives for the try line during a previous match against Australia. Photo / Supplied
New Zealand touch player Ash Robinson dives for the try line during a previous match against Australia. Photo / Supplied
A three-day feast of transtasman touch rugby is on the menu at Rotorua International Stadium this weekend.
Starting todayand finishing Sunday, New Zealand and Australia's top men's, women's and mixed touch teams are all playing a three-game series.
Australia are the current world champions and have had the wood over their New Zealand counterparts in recent years, but you can guarantee the New Zealand sides will be packed with x-factor and capable of pushing their opposition to the limit.
New Zealand mixed coach Hika Pene said going up against Australia was the "pinnacle" for New Zealand touch players.
"They've been setting the standard for many, many years. Having said that, they're coming to our backyard and they're coming to a real cultural place - Rotorua.
"We all feel a big connection to Rotorua, even though we're not all from Te Arawa or Rotorua, we just feel a real connection to the land and the landscape. We've been working really hard behind the scenes and we're really looking forward to the challenge."
Pene said the New Zealand touch teams had been putting in a lot of work through their high performance programme in the past few years.
"Players have been in the system for a few years now, so it's time to put those things into practice. All three teams have been preparing really well, we've had a really good build-up for this series and we're ready to get stuck in."
Rotorua are you ready???
Rotorua International Stadium brings you the the 2018 Open Trans Tasman Touch Series 27-29 April.
View the action live in person, or watch it right here on Facebook!!
Pene said the playing styles of Australia and New Zealand were different in certain parts of the field.
"Australia are quite direct and probably known for the fast running game. We've adopted some of that, but we've held on to what our strengths are, which is isolating defenders to create one-on-ones and using that talent - the stepping and the skills.
"You definitely have to have the best of both worlds to be competitive now, that all-round ability."
Rotorua fans will have some locals to cheer on with brothers Maurice and Shaq Stone in the men's team and Mystery McLean in the mixed team.
Also in action from Bay of Plenty are Tauranga's Puawai Gardiner and Danyon Morgan-Puterangi.
"Maurice has been around a long time and he's a big leader within that men's group. He's well respected within our whole New Zealand contingent, the Stone family in general has done a lot for touch in Rotorua and New Zealand."
Rotorua's Shaq (left) and Maurice Stone are in the New Zealand men's touch team. Photo / File
Pene said his message to the mixed team before they run out on to the field at Rotorua International Stadium would be a simple one.
"It's all about roles and responsibilities. If you do your job, everything within your role, that's all you have to worry about. If you don't, then the player next to you has to do their job and a bit of your job. If everyone is doing their job to the best of their ability, we're going to be a lot stronger.
"Because we're playing at home, the players will have a lot of friends and family there. The anthem is a real emotional time for the players, but you need to bottle that emotion straight away and get back to your role."
He said this weekend was a rare opportunity to see some top class players in action.
"I don't remember a transtasman series being played in Rotorua, that's huge, you've got to get behind it. It might not happen for another 20 years. That definitely has to get you excited, you'd be silly to miss it."
All games will be streamed live on the Touch New Zealand Facebook page.
2018 Open Transtasman Touch Draw Entry is free
Friday, April 27 4pm - Open Mixed 5.10pm - Open Women 6.20pm - Open Men
Saturday, April 28 3pm - Open Mixed 4.10pm - Open Women 5.20pm - Open men
Sunday, April 29 10am - Open Mixed 11am - Open Women 12pm - Open Women
