Sydney: St Josephs College and ANZ Stadium

The boys gave a great account of themselves against St Joseph's College in Sydney. Winning by a convincing score line the seniors managed to hit a lot of the objectives the coaches set for them prior to the game.

We spent an afternoon seeing the Olympic park and ANZ stadium followed by Sydney from the water. The boys really enjoyed the exploration of the Sydney coastline and were able to see the sights from an different perspective.

Tonight saw the culmination of the tour with speeches and awards voted by players and staff given to most improved players, endeavouring players and moment of the tour. We begin our journey home tomorrow at 10am Sydney time.

Gallery here

Touch Down in Sydney: Museum and Sightseeing

We touched down in Sydney today and got stuck into the city straight away. The boys were taken to the Museum of Australia were they learnt about the history of the Aboriginal people going back 60,000 years. They also learnt about their struggle after colonisation and the fight for recognition as a race after years of white oppression (for photos click here).

Rugby vs Coloundra Lighthouse RUFC

This evening both the under 16s and 18s put in hard fought performances against Coloundra Lighthouse RUFC.

The under 16s played first in a really exciting game that saw the opposition go ahead with some really exciting play. A really potent fly half and back three threatened us with every loose kick. Through some hard graft and a great level of commitment the boys managed to get ahead and hold out Coloundra Lighthouse despite them being camped on our line for the last 5 minutes. The final score was 19-15.

The under 18s enjoyed a real team victory against their opposition and despite beating them 19-6 the game was extremely close. The forwards put in a massively abrasive performance, using their physical presence to nullify anything the opposition threw at them meanwhile the back line were able to string together some very nicely executed runs of play.

After team presentations (click here for the album) the boys enjoyed a buffet and a song and dance in the club house before an early night. The boys set off for Sydney at 5am tomorrow morning!

The Sunshine Coast: King's Beach

Boys had a great session this morning followed by some more chill time on the beach. As you can see (click here) the staff are being worked really hard this tour!

The Sunshine Coast: King's Beach

Boys had a great session this morning followed by some more chill time on the beach. As you can see the staff are being worked really hard this tour!

The Sunshine Coast and Coloundra

After the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival we travelled north to the Sunshine Coast to take on the grammar school. The weather was horrendous with hammering rain for several hours, something that we thought would suit our game down to a T.

Instead we were given a masterclass in school boy rugby from the 1st and 2nd team at Sunshine Coast Grammar. Both sides lost heavily to full strength sides featuring Queensland State representatives and some Australian School boy players.

Despite the boys being really disappointed by the results and performances we were able to take away some really valuable lessons and incorporate some of these ideas into our gameplay.

After the games the boys spent two nights with their host families in Mooloolaba, enjoying a taste of local life by the sea. They were really well looked after and enjoyed their time with the local school kids, being taken out to the beach, BBQs and soirées. We had a much needed day off at Australia Zoo where we were treated to a display of brute force and power from the crocodiles and tigers.

We have now moved up the coast to Coloundra where we will play Coloundra Lighthouse RUFC tomorrow.

This afternoon the boys are enjoying some free time on the beautiful coastline.

Wet 'N' Wild

Day off for the boys today with a morning at Wet N Wild water park. The highlight of the day was the 50 metre high wire swing that many of the boys and some daring staff had a go of.

Highlight of the day was Tom Atkins hanging on to James Harper's bicep for dear life as they swung high above the water park, screaming all the while!

The Gold Coast Rugby Carnival Day 2

Day 2 was a toughy for both sides with long old days ahead of them. The under 16s were out first playing against a huge kiwi side and we did well for the first half but fitness and discipline did us out of it in the second half, a theme that would continue for most of the day.

The under 18s lost their first game narrowly to an Australian side through ill-discipline and poor decision making despite having much of the possession and territory.

The under 16s then went on to play another kiwi side who were absolutely ferocious. Despite going ahead we just could not hang on to the lead and once our heads went down the tries from the flyers from Kelston came thick and fast.

The under 18s final game was a fun, flood-lit game of sevens due to our opposition experiencing a number of injuries. The boys enjoyed the game and beat BIMA under 18s by quite a margin.

Gold Coast Beach Games

Today the boys joined forces with schools from Australia and New Zealand to compete at the Gold Coast Beach Games. They played in mixed teams with and against other schools' netball and rugby teams in a variety of different disciplines from lifeguard games, ultimate frisbee and dodgeball amongst others.

No love was lost between the girls from New Zealand and our boys in the lifeguard games where some of the Under 16s were out muscled by some very athletic young women from the south island of New Zealand.

Following some very questionable performances in different events we were treated to a series of Hakas from the New Zealand teams before heading back to the hotel for an afternoon of much deserved rest. Day 2 of the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival is tomorrow and we face some very tough competition.

The Gold Coast Rugby Carnival Day 1

Our first day at the Gold Coast Rugby Festival was a mixed bag for both sides but a very valuable experience for everyone involved. The under 16s played two Australian sides losing to the first (last year's winners) and beating the second. Every player got on and was able to experience some flowing, southern hemisphere flavour rugby.

The under 18s played three games against two sides from New Zealand and one from Australia. This meant that they were faced with a Haka from Aquinas School which was both inspiring and intimidating at the same time. The under 18s won one game and lost two against some outstanding opposition.

The Weekend: The Gold Coast

After a long journey from Hong Kong followed by some much needed rest at our superb hotel we wake up to the beautiful Main Beach in Brisbane.

Some of the boys went out to do some fitness work on the beach, the rest had a lie in before enjoying a smashing breakfast.

Today the boys enjoyed a day at Movie World riding rollercoasters and eating their weight in junk food.

Following the theme park the boys had a great time on the beach running through some set pieces and playing touch rugby in the sand.

Friday: Our last day in Hong Kong

Today was 36 degrees and a ridiculously high level of humidity. Obviously a perfect day to walk 45 minutes to Chi Lin Nunnery and take the underground through the centre of Kowloon to the water front!

The nunnery was beautiful and despite struggling with the heat the boys really enjoyed their time exploring the buildings and it's gardens. 

The afternoon in Kowloon was a great way for the boys to spend their last day in Hong Kong, amongst the hustle and bustle on the street. 

In the evening we made our way to the airport for our 10 journey to Australia!

Thursday: Macau!

Thursday meant a day off from Rugby and a venture over the water to neighbouring Macau. We visited one of 36 casinos, The Venetian, which is the largest casino in the world containing thousands of suites, tables, machines and a huge shopping mall with its own miniature version of Venice complete with Gondolas. Following a tour of the casino and business districts we visited a Buddhist temple and learned about the history of the Portuguese colony and it's effect on the culture and society in Macau. Then we explored the old town to look at the cathedrals and Portuguese influenced architecture. We ended the day with a huge budget lunch in one of Macau's dazzling hotels where the boys absolutely cleaned up!

Game day! Wednesday's Matches

Big victories for both teams against the Hong Kong Barbarians sides:

U17s 75-5 HK Barbarians

U16s 88-0 HK Barbarians

Game day! Wednesday's Matches

Big victories for both teams against the Hong Kong Barbarians sides.

Match reports to follow soon...