The 1st XV rugby tour of Brisbane began on Thursday 8 April with two groups of 15 flying from New Plymouth to Auckland, the first group at 8.15am and the second at 10.40am.
Check in with Qantas in Auckland went smoothly and the group waited patiently for the 3.50pm flight. McDonalds proving to be as popular as ever!
We arrived in Brisbane at 5.40pm and on clearing customs we were met by the Rolo Van Hire rep. Vans inspected we navigated in the dark to our home for the next five nights, Marist College, Ashgrove. Only one missed turn and a quick check of the maps and we managed to find our destination, dinner was ready and waiting, and well received by the group.
After breakfast on Friday was a tough training for two reasons, one because the coaches made it tough and two because the temperature was close to 30 degrees. The swimming pool at the school was a welcome relief and the bomb competition was eagerly contested, Dave “X” Bryan showing good form.
That evening we drove down to Robina for the much anticipated league game at Skilled park between the Titans and the Storm. Parking near the ground being the only problem on the night. A great game and the boys as you would expect enjoyed the acrobatic cheerleaders.
Saturday was the start of our rugby games at the Brisbane Grammar School Festival, not at the school as we expected but twenty minutes north near Nudgee, fortunately we had found this out the day before. First up was St Laurence’s, we began well and were leading 12 to nil at half time. Unfortunately we went to sleep in the second half, possibly the heat, and ended up drawing 12 each. Tries to Tei Walden and Dave Bryan and one conversion to Nick Childs. Next we had a Nudgee team which we put away 36 to 7. Tries to Ryan Bishop, Emmett Hurley, Sam Wells, Dion Beer, Tei Walden and Jordan Lampe. A conversion each from Tom Lord, Tei Walden and Paddy Forsythe.
Sunday saw us return to the Brisbane Grammar School
Festival. Our first game was against another Nudgee squad, which we out played 48 to nil. Tries to Dion Beer 2, Shaun Burrows, Dylon Walsh, Nick Childs 2, Taylor Jackson and Joe Clarke. Conversions Nick 2, Tom Lord and Paddy Forsythe. Our final game of the festival was against Ormiston College. The coaches told the team that they could still play better and to cut out the individual stuff. They responded positively to this and really put it together winning 63 to nil. Tries to Dion Beer 3, Dave Bryan 2, Dylon Walsh 2 (all wingers), Seth Marshall 2, Tei Walden and Emmett Hurley. Conversions Tom Lord 2, Tei and Paddy.
On Monday and Tuesday we travelled south to the Gold Coast Theme Parks - Dreamworld and Whitewater World. The boys and management all enjoyed the thrills and adrenaline rush. At Dreamworld - The Big Drop, Tower of Terror and Wipeout were all very popular. The Claw had many takers with even Mark Stevenson having a go, the legs a bit wobbly at the end. Whitewater World had The Octopus race slides, The Wedgie and The Green Room (Stucky was not happy as we flew up the side wall!)
On Tuesday afternoon we headed to St Joseph’s, Nudgee for the boys to be billeted for two nights. Many travelling by bus or train for anything up to an hour and a half.
We met at 8.30am on Wednesday and took the train into Brisbane CBD so the boys could do some shopping. League and AFL gear was very popular.
The game against Nudgee was at 3.45pm. The boys did a powerful rendition of the school haka, led by Teihorangi Walden, and this was received well. We started well and scored first when Thomas Nagel at No8, put Ryan Bishop away, who fed Tim Glass for the first try. Tom Lord converting. Nudgee responded to draw level on the 20 minute mark. Two quick tries on the half hour pushed Nudgee ahead, then some poor tackling on half time meant we were down 24 to 7 at the break. The big Nudgee forwards started the second half
with some tight driving play and they managed another three tries, two were converted. The college team never gave up and finished strongly. The backs gaining some good field position allowing the forwards to drive from a lineout to score the final try by Scott Mellow. Final score 12 - 43.
A very enjoyable and successful tour. Thanks to our supporters at all the games, the Mellows, the Childs and the Barretts.
