Illawarra Under 12 Rugby North Island Tour - Sep 24
The 2024 Illawarra Rugby Under 13 Team toured the North Island in September 2024 combining 2 warm-up matches with the Global Games International Under-10, Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 Tournaments based at Owen Delany Park, Taupo. The Tournament ran for 3 days with each team playing a total of 5 matches (20 mins each half) with Tournament having weight restrictions and playing for the "joy of playing in a fun environment" with awards being handed to Best & Fairest teams and any outstanding individual performance.
Illawarra brought over a 21 player squad of Eli Milosevski, Iasona Thomsen, Logan Dupres, Ryley Mullins, Beckham Lulia, Gus Middleton, Harry Meyerson, Leo Hicks, Lincoln Mingare, Macarthur Davis, Morrison Cocksedge, Quade Nelson, Sam Fitzgerald, Sonny Williamson, Thomas Mann, Will Shacklock, Zarielle Jack, Izzy Vuki, Kobi Morgan,Tyrone Maher & Ryan McKenzie. The team was managed by the Dupre Family – Jodes (Manager), Dominic (Forwards Coach, Kane (Backs Coach) & Casey (Assistant Manager).
There were also Team supporters who travelled on their own for the duration of the Tour at matches and joining several off-field activities.
The team player 2 warm-up matches winning 24-17 v Marist St Michaels at Rotorua but losing 050 to Te Kawau as an exhibition match to start the Global Games Tournament.
The 8 night / 9 day Tour was based at one of New Zealands Tourist "mecca" Rotorua in the Sudima Hotel. Activities outside of Rugby included Mitai Maori Cultural Experience, Skyline Gondola and Luge Rides, Velocity Valley Extreme Sports, The All Black Experience and a Guided Tour of the All Blacks Fortress – Eden Park, Auckland.
Day 1 - The Arrival
Air NZ 110 arrived ahead of time into Auckland International Airport from Sydney carrying the Illawarra Under 15 Rugby Team, management and supporters where a brisk 13 degrees greeted the squad. Tour Director Don Warner on hand to meet the Party and load the 53-seater Coach for the 3 hour journey South to Rotorua with a stop on the way for refreshments.
Booked into the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua the entire Tour Party feasted on a pretty good Buffet Meal where everyone were updated on the movements of the Tour Group leading into the Global Games Rugby Tournament.
With the Tournament being played at Taupo (75km away) had some logistical issues but with the activity options available at Rotorua was certainly a good option.
The squad took things easy although "hide and seek" did cause the Hotel Management & guests a couple headaches before everyone put their heads down for the night.
Day 1 – completed.
Day 2 - Sights and Activities
A reasonable weather day greeted us for our first day in Roto-Vegas as we took a brief sightseeing journey around the city visiting the Redwood Forestry, the Kuirau Park "mud-pools' (geysers) and the wonderful (well awful) odour in the air.
The early afternoon was a visit to the Skyline Gondola and Luge Rides where everyone was entained with a few crashes, some terrible steering and a load of laughs! With the victor of the father v son battle of the Dupres going to Dad Dupres quite comfortably.
This evening was an insight into the life of the Maori ancestors and how they survived before and during the arrival of the white man. A fantastic greeting was afforded us and to have our own "Chief" Alan Meyerson accept the welcome was an honour for Alan and the team. A feast fit for a King was available – great seafood chowder – in the traditional Hangi cooked for the guests of the night. A brief walk amongst the bush looking at the glow worms capped of the night before heading back to base.
Day 2 – completed
Day 3 - Velocity Valley and Match
A cracker day greeted us this morning and everyone appears to be getting used to the Rotorua odour. This morning we had a brief spell at the shops – Rebel Sports top priority – then to Velocity Valley the extreme sport venue where there are several options available.
The most popular option was the "Swoop" a three-person sleeping bag that lifts and lifts you up then one of the three in the "sack" has to pull the cord and SWOOP you guy!! Squeals galore but back for more. The Jetboat was pretty good as well and if you were brave enough to stand on the "viewing platform" you got absolutely drenched as the Jetboat went past. We were there for lunch which was everyone's favourite – sausage, bread and sauce.
Then everyone put their "game face" on as we headed for the Marist St Michaels Rugby Club for a friendly match against their Under 12's (who are also heading for the Global Games. A fairly even match with the Illawarra lads getting a sound start to lead 17-7 at halftime and eventually hang on to win 24-17 after St Michaels finished strongly. The St Michaels Club put on a traditional Kiwi "feed" after the game and the St Michaels U12's gave the Illawarra lads a HAKA in the clubhouse which was an excellent way to conclude the evening.
Our Bus headed back to base but a few "dads" accepted the challenge of a few beers with the St Michaels management and parents. Need I say more..................
Day 2 – eventually completed.
Day 4 - Global Games Tournament Opening
A relaxed morning as the Squad prepared for the start of the Taupo Global Games Tournament. 137 teams from Australia and New Zealand along with several thousand management, parents, grandparents, siblings and supporters invaded Taupo for the incredible occasion. The basis of the Tournament is comraderie, friendships and enjoying Rugby at this age level.
The one hour drive from Rotorua to Taupo was to become a regular outing over the next few days and while boys heads were in the "play stations" the parents enjoyed the scenery.
Each team had their own marquee and we were honored to have our marquee beside the No 1 field at Owen Delany Park where we also played 2 of our matches. Unfortunately the weather did not "play ball" today and while the parents/supporters were seated out of the rain in the grandstand the teams paraded onto the number 1 field where they all received a nature heavy shower.
The Illawarra team was asked to play in an exhibition match against a very strong Te Kawau XV and although the rain departed the Te Kawau side took a resounding victory over us 50-0 which proved to be the best thing that could happen as it brought our lads firmly back on their feet.
Pretty quiet bus on the trip back to Rotorua but the Coaches handled the situation well discussing various aspects of the day and warning the lads there will be tough games ahead.
Day 4 completed with a few heads down after the loss.
Day 5 - Matches v Whakarewarewa and Uawa
Two matches today and a wonderful start to the Tournament with close wins against Whakarewarewa (Rotorua) 35-5 and then a last gasp win against our "buddy" team Uawa (Poverty Bay) 12-10 to go 2 from 2 to start the Tournament proper.
The spectators at both matches were treated to good schoolboy Rugby with all teams looking to run the ball at will and contest particularly at scrum time where the Illawarra lads excelled. Minimal lineouts and with 20 min halves everyone got a run. Standout player for both games was our female player Zarielle Jack who led the tackle count and always made ground with ball in hand.
With a 3 hour break between games our "buddy club" Uawa hosted the Illawarra team and parents to lunch in their marquee and made a small but appreciated momento to each of our players and management. However friendships were soon overcome when we played Uawa in our afternoon match. This proved to be a nail biter as Uawa with a solid forward pack dominated periods of play to lead at the last minute 10-5 but a last minute try and sideline conversion by Thomas Mann gave the Illawarra team the win.
This was a better trip back to base and everyone enjoyed their meals, some laughter and bed in prep for tomorrow.
Day 5 – Completed successfully!
Day 6 - Matches Pakuranga and Ponsonby
Tough day today with two games against two very good Auckland Club sides leading to a win and a loss.
A real day of Rugby with some quality teams to watch. Pakuranga were very difficult and another nail biter as our diminutive, livewire, little halfback Gus Middleton scampering across the line from a 10-metre tap penalty – his eyes spotted the gap and over he went to get Illawarra to a 12-10 victory.
Our 2nd match was against Ponsonby who have produced 48 All Blacks since their inception back in 1974 – the most by any Rugby Club in New Zealand. This Ponsonby U12 side will no produce some more in the future as they produced a well drilled team that never gave up and never gave an inch! They scored 3 tries to win 15-0 and held their try line untouched as the Illawarra side tried everything. A classy match indeed.
Two very hard matches but the Illawarra lads are gaining in confidence and cheek off the field that is keeping everyone alert and happy. Happy that was until the outcome of the Bledisloe Cup fixture put a slight dampener on a few faces with the All Blacks using yet another "get out of jail" card.
Day 6 – done and dusted.
Day 7 - Match Wakatipu and closing ceremony
Only the one match today against Wakatipu (Queenstown, NZ) and the closing ceremony. Beaut weather today and a final game on the No 1 field and a hard fought 14-5 victory. Wakatipu scored first and led 5-0 at the break before the Illawarra lads got into gear and scored two converted tries for victory.
What a fantastic Rugby Tournament, very well administrated (even iof there was a lack of rubbish bins!) – everything went smoothly and all the teams came back onto the No 1 field for a brief closing ceremony. Awards were given for the best and fairest players and teams and everyone knew how their own team went and who were the "gun sides" of the 3 days.
For her efforts Zarielle Jack was awarded the Illawarra Best & Fairest Player – a fitting reward who led by example whether she was a forward or a back.
It's too difficult to single out individual players but everyone played their part during the Rugby side of the Tour and to conclude with 5 wins from 7 matches is a remarkable effort.
Day 7 – Tournament completed.
Day 8 - Transfer Rotorua to Auckland
All up, packed and on the bus by 10am for the 3-hour drive back to Auckland for the last night of the Tour. Plenty of stories from the Tournament and the hi-jinx the team got upto around our Hotel but nothing out of the ordinary.
Once we were settled into Sudima Auckland it was time have a close look at the culture and history of the Mighty All Blacks and Black Ferns. Everyone appreciated the All Black Experience especially the history of the HAKA and the challenge of standing up to it with the floor shuddering as the AB's stomped their feet. At the last area it was a inter-action with skills tests for the players to test themselves on. Not sure who came out winners but their was plenty of cheek and laughter.
Back to Sudima Auckland, freshen up and on the bus for the drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and to the Valentines Buffet. Great selection of food with the deserts getting a real thrashing. Again with us all seated close to each other it was a chance to have a few speeches and thanks to the tea, the management and thew supporters.
Back to Sudima and an early night while a few parents had a quiet beer.....at Auckland prices!
Day 9 - Homeward Bound
The last day always offers a chance to reflect on how things went and what could be done to improve things. Finally all were in agreeance things went pretty well – apart from a couple of "late to the bus" awards we had a ball.
Last stop was Eden Park and a Guided Tour around the All Black Fortress was well received. From the stands to the changing rooms to the Trophy locker to the corporate boxes everyone got their chance to view the Park.
From their we went to the Dressmart Wholesale Centre where some got some last-minute shopping with Rugby Boots high on the priority list. Food was also high on the list before we headed to Auckland Airport for departure back across the "ditch."
At the airport a chance for Alan and Don to say their peace and acknowledge this had been a great 9-day adventure with good Rugby played and plenty of mates made making Alan and I pretty happy.
And a last reminder to the parents to remember that in New Zealand we have "alcohol free" days tomorrow! 75% bullshit and 25% the truth!