Day 11 Japan - Monday May 3rd

Up for breakfast at 8.00 and we're all pleased to have a rest day today. Free time before team meeting. Jojo turns up with the van and we're off to a nearby mall and games centre. Chance to pick up a few cheap presents (sorry mum) before we meet with the parents for lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. It’s Yaki Niku styles which means a kind of fire and grill in the middle of your table to cook the meat they bring you. Great feed and soon we’re all eating, laughing and singing to some old school songs the coaches are playing on the guitar. In groups, we then have to present an item, before we launch into our team songs, much to the surprise of the other Japanese restaurant patrons. Te Weehi, Josh, Ted and Russ are in their element and entertain us with some sweet harmonies. The parents present Jojo with a present for all his help and Jojo replies by shouting the team ice-creams. All except the ‘skinfold boys’ of course, who have to stay back with Mr Hotham and try to explain the midnight ice-cream runs. Back to Global Arena for practice and the Aussies are on the field next to us. Nothing is said but the feeling is electric. I struggle to find a player in their squad who is under 100kg. Practice goes well and we’re reminded of the importance of first up tackles with a mean session on the hitshields. Back for dinner and then a meeting to have to have the team named…..I must have done enough yesterday cause I’m starting again..Yes!!. Tomorrow’s programme is explained before Mrs Clark shares the latest e-mails. Mr Kirkham and Jacob get out of the ‘lonely hearts club’ and we all listen as family and friends wish us well for the semi-final. The ‘shrink of the day’ nominations are made and Isaako is again prominent, although Nick is accused of yelling out Bruce Jone’s name last night in his sleep, and we are made aware that Hayden hasn’t had a towel and has been using a sheet. Boudine finally gets today’s award for his part in the ice-cream run fiasco. We then are treated to a samurai sword demonstration by an old friend of Jojo’s. His sword is over 400 years old and has been used to kill people in the past. We ask questions and have photos taken with the sword. Back to the dorms and into bed around 9.00. We are all pretty quiet tonight. Everyone is focused on tomorrow and the battle against the giants from across the ditch. A nervous night. I hope I get some sleep.

Sayonara
No.16