Day Seven: 1st XV Sanix World Cup Campaign
Woke this morning after an awesome sleep and it’s a rest day today. I must have been tired because the other boys were moaning about the Japanese ‘swappers’ keeping them awake. We have breakfast at 7.00am and then a light training session. Forwards work on lineout drives and defense while the backs have a good old talk…I mean discuss defensive policy.
We go back to the meeting room for daily agenda. Before that, Mrs Clark reads out the e-mails from yesterday. We have received hundreds of supportive messages by now but each one lights up the recipients eyes like it was Christmas. Mr Hughes sends a long message and manages to mock half the team. Hohepa finds himself missing home after a message from Mr Hotham’s brother. Tama finally gets out of the Lonely Hearts Club but we are all strongly suspicious that he sent it to himself.
The coaches then explain today’s challenge, which is their version of ‘The Great Race’. Each company (group of five players) has to make their way from Global Arena to Fukuoka (80km away) in an attempt to be the first group to ‘The Hardrock Cafe’. A number of players ask questions like … how do we travel? (Michael W)….where can we find public transport details? (Ryan K)…and what time’s lunch? (Joe Walsh). Each is answered with “good question”. Each company has a quick discussion and we’re off. We quickly track down a bus schedule but are shocked when another group, including Blake and Tuatu, is seen hitching a ride on the back of a laundry truck.
We bus to the nearest train station and jump on a train heading to Fukuoka, but after discussing the situation with a few local girls decide to change trains to get on the ‘express’. We arrive at Hakata station in central Fukuoka, a city with a population of 1.5 million. It looks like every one of them has decided to take the subway today. Up several escalators and outside and we find bus 306. 15 minutes and we’re dropped off at Hawk Town, with the Hardrock only minutes away. Running now we turn the corner thinking we’re in the lead only to see Jacob Skeen and the ‘Charlie’ company boys already there.
Within 30 minutes all companies arrive and we all discuss our adventures. We’re then informed that Jojo has somehow organized tickets for baseball seasons opening sold-out game between the Fukuoka Hawks and the Rauken Eagles. The Fukuoka Dome is right in front of us and is an incredible indoor stadium holding about 100,000 people. We eventually get inside and to our seats. It’s an amazing experience and the 1st baseball game for all of us. Over the next three hours we enjoy the skill involved in baseball, the music and chanting, the release of thousands of balloons, the food, fireworks and a 3-0 win to the Hawks. Awesome!
Back on the trains, we stop at a restaurant for yaki niku. That’s where you sit at a table with a small bbq in the middle and cook pieces of tender meat and veges yourself. We have a great feed, followed by some classic NZ songs by the coaches and players on the guitar. We get home around 9.00 for the team meeting about tomorrow’s game versus Toin Gauken HS. The starting team’s named and I’m on the bench. All good. This team has grown hugely over the past week and I’ll be ready to play my part if called on. Cell phones are collected tonight by company leaders to make sure we have no distractions. Mrs Clarke reads the 30 something e-mails that have arrived today. If we thought Mr Hughes was harsh, Mr Hay manages to mock every member of the squad. The NZ ambassador to Japan sends us a touching message, while Paea, Benny, Chris and Luke all remain in the L.H. club. Surely some kind teacher could send them some love…or at least some homework.
We go to bed excited about tomorrow’s game and the chance to make the final.
Sayonara
No.17