Day 23 Rotorua

Today was all about rugby, well most of it. A visit to the New Zealand Sports Academy, home to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Team and home for the Irish team in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The academy players sang a traditional Maori welcome and then performed their own haka, which was both impressive and intimidating. The morning was about individual skills. Coaches for the session were Jim Love, former New Zealand Maori and Tonga coach and Daryl Shelford, former New Zealand Maori player and brother of former all black captain Wayne. Clearly the boys bedefitted from a fresh perspective and Maori approach as to how the game should be played. In the afternoon the boys got a chance to run out against the Academy team in a practice game. They more than held their own in what turned into a lively session. The session concluded with a visit to a Maori village where we were treated to another Hangi. Th e boys relaxed in the hotel pool and had some free time in the town of Rotorua.