Royal Rugby Tour to New Zealand
A historic 10-day rugby tour that brought the Royal College 1st XV Rugby team to New Zealand, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds between Royal College and the New Zealand rugby community.
Article Published in 74th Bradby Shield (169th Royal-Trinity Rugby Encounter) with permission from the Author Mr. MAM Riyaz
The Championship Season
The Royal College 1st XV Rugby team, ably led by Ovin Askey, concluded a rigorous and hard-fought season with huge success. After being crowned winners of the Schools Rugby League Championship for 2017, they followed it up by regaining the prestigious Bradby Shield, winning both legs.
The league championship was decided in the very last game, which happened to be the first leg of the Bradby. The Lions were beaten 22-17 in their own den in Pallekelle. The team was generously rewarded for their twin success with a ten-day rugby tour of New Zealand.
The Royal College 1st XV Rugby team during their New Zealand tour
The Vision Behind the Tour
With the New Zealand All Blacks winning consecutive Rugby World Cups, the Royalists could not have picked a better destination for their tour. The tour was the brainchild of former Royal, CH & FC and Sri Lanka Prop Forward Ravi Wijenathan and his classmate of 1980, Dr. Murali Mahadevan, a leading ENT Surgeon living in Auckland.
Dr. Murali himself was a very keen sportsman in his day, winning his colours in Basketball, Athletics and Water Polo. He later went on to captain basketball for Royal and Sri Lanka in addition to winning Public School Colours in Athletics. The duo had been working on this project for a few years and were delighted to finally see it come to fruition.
"An extremely well-planned program was meticulously put together by Dr. Murali Mahadevan covering all aspects of the tour including sponsorship, immigration formalities, food and accommodation."
Ten Days in New Zealand: A Daily Chronicle
September 8-9: Arrival & First Experiences
The dream tour started in the early hours on September 8th. The team travelled through Kuala Lumpur and reached Auckland at midnight. After a warm welcome by old Royalists, the team was transported to the College Rifles Rugby Club.
The boys' time in New Zealand was packed with rugby activities from day one. The first day started with exposure to Provincial Rugby at Eden Park - believed to be the best rugby stadium in the country, which also hosted the Rugby World Cup final in 2011.
Special Tribute
The tour coincided with the passing of Dr. Nagalingam Rasalingam, Head Prefect of Royal College in 1956, who served as a Medical Practitioner in Auckland for over four decades. The team attended a felicitation ceremony in his honour.
September 10-11: Training & First Match
Early morning training session conducted by U20 Coach Niranjan Ranasinghe (former Trinitian) and Dushanth Lewke, Head Coach of Royal. The team trained with Hendry Vaeaso (former All Blacks/Warriors trainer and personal trainer for Jonah Lomu).
The team received a guided private tour of the state-of-the-art Auckland Blues training facility - recorded as one of the finest first division rugby facilities in the world.
First Match vs Rangitoto College: Despite dominating the forwards and set pieces, Royal suffered a 23-0 defeat. The team faced their first Maori Haka challenge, with the meaning explained as "We respect you as the opposition, but will fight for every inch."
Principal with the touring team
September 12-13: Cultural Experience & Meeting Sir Graham Henry
Cultural Day: The team visited Rotorua Maori Village, witnessing traditional Maori Haka, song and dance. They enjoyed thermal pools and were hosted by various old Royalists along the way.
Highlight of the Tour
World Cup winning former All Black Rugby coach Sir Graham Henry visited College Rifles exclusively to speak to the Royalists. Sir Graham shared from his vast experience about challenges faced by teams and players.
September 14-16: Second Match & Professional Development
Match vs Kings College: A much-improved performance saw Royal leading 19-17 at half-time with excellent rolling maul tries. Kings College fought back with superior three-quarter play, winning 25-19 in a well-balanced contest.
The team attended sessions with Auckland Rugby's Medical Expert Dr. Stephen Kara for player rehabilitation knowledge and received motivational talks from former All Blacks Dr. Jeremy Stanley and center Peter Alatini.
September 16-17: All Blacks Match & Bradby Dinner
The Ultimate Experience: The team travelled to Albany to watch the All Blacks play South Africa at QBE Stadium. Every single player was watching an international game for the first time. The All Blacks delivered a commanding 57-0 victory.
Bradby Dinner in NZ: The final dinner was hosted by rugby-loving old boys of Trinity. The evening featured both college songs and demonstrated the camaraderie that supersedes on-field rivalry. Dr. Murali Mahadevan presented 2011 World Cup Rugby Balls autographed by Sir Graham Henry, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to both Royal and Trinity.
September 18: Departure & Reflections
Current All Blacks sevens player Rocky Khan met the team before departure and gave a final lesson on three-quarter play. The team was accompanied to Auckland airport by Trinitian Nesaraj Joseph.
Due to compelling rerouting due to a fuel crisis, the team spent an extra day in Kuala Lumpur, enjoying 5-star comfort courtesy of Classic Travels.
Final team gathering before departure
Acknowledgments & Gratitude
Many Royalists voluntarily gave their time and resources to make this tour come to fruition. Royal College is grateful to all supporters including:
Key Contributors
- • Mafaz Ismail
- • Robbie Pieris & Dinuk Pieris
- • Mukhlis Ismail
- • Lal Senaratne
- • Sriyan Senadheera
- • Dr. Nilkanth De Zoysa
- • Mahe Weerasinghe
Organizations & Sponsors
- • RCOBA of Ontario
- • ORAUK
- • Tamil class team of 1980
- • KIA Motors
- • Fontera
- • Brandix
- • Classic Travels
"A dream came true. A plan fulfilled. Players and officials of Royal College returned with pleasant and lasting memories of an eventful and magnificent rugby tour."
- M.A.M. Riyaz, Assistant Principal and Senior Games Master, Royal College
The complete Royal College 1st XV touring party in New Zealand
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