The Politically Correct Version of the Tour of Italy, Corsica and France.
The Departure:
Thursday 13 April 10.50am SQ 298 to Singapore. SQ 366 to Rome arrive 7.55hrs.
With our visit to the Colosseum cancelled due to a visit by the Pope, security tight, Plan B went into effect and on a warm Rome day, we walked around central city as bewildered jet-lagged tourists taking in the sights and sounds of the key tourist sights. The team billeted, the adults in the evening settled into the hotel with icebreaker activities, which set the tone for the trip.
In the morning, travelling on the Metro, the parents visited the Popes House and later the Colosseum. Game one, St Thomas vs Arnold Rugby Club. On this auspicious occasion due to a technical glitch where the local referee had to forego his commitment, Phillip Andrew Hudson made his International referring debut and STC won 62 – 31 in warm sunny conditions. The team and parents then had memorial introduction into the local Italian hospitality with a barbeque following the game where the local hospitality was outstanding, and this continued throughout the tour in Corsica and France.
Sunday 16 April:
On the bus to Avezzano, with the Number 1 driver in Italy, Luigi, “ Jeremy” we numbered off, and settled in for a typical tourist day out, stopping off Ostia Roman Village, Tivoli Gardens, and then into central Italy into the mountains and an area of recent major Earthquakes, all familiar to the touring party.
Monday 17 April:
Monte Casino is a special place for many New Zealanders not only for the battle which took place during WW 2, but for the significant role that the Maori Battalion and other new Zealand troops played. After our visit to the Abbey perched high on a mountain above the city, our ANZAC service was conducted in the Commonwealth cemetery where 490 Kiwis are buried, and Andre Renata spoke beautifully about the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their commitment to our country. The boys conducted a stirring Haka and then laid poppies on the graves of Kiwi soldiers many of whom were not much older than our lads.
Avezzano, parents and players will tell you from previous tours holds a special place for them not only for the hospitality of the club and host parents, but for the competition and standard of rugby played there.
A round robin competition was played, 10 minutes each way.
STC vs Pol.L Aquile won 8 nil
STC vs Sel. Reg.Puglia won 12 nil
STC vs Avezzano won 21 nil with the boys winning the tournament and a nice trophy. Players to stand out, Montel Peppard and Cormac Tarrant for their speed and tries scored plus Jayden Ruki and Nathan Chapman for their industry at the breakdown and Lance Bradley for his work in the lineout. A great effort by the coaches Andre (Jaffa), Dean Smith & Kevin (Dairy) & water boy Chris alias, (Rsolie.)
Again, the services of our International ref Phil Hudson were called upon; however, a slow watch and a niggling calf injury forced his retirement from the tour as an official.
On the way to Florence with Luigi firmly in charge we stopped off in Sienna, a beautiful City perched in the hills of Tuscany, for lunch, basking in the sun with a vino and pizza in the Piazza del Campo. I love the city of Florence, for its architecture, the streets of the city, its colour and activities of the hawkers, history and many famous artifacts, statutes and paintings that are housed there.
Thursday 20 April:
Playing Florence RFC, three 20-minute spells on a sunny cool day, a bruising encounter, and the score did not reflect the true qualities of the match, which was won by STC 55 – 20. Standout players were Cormac Tarrant (five tries, Reacher sends a telegram to the 1st 15 coaches, “include this guy in your team”) Jeremy August and Tama Faitotonu. Sadly, the tour was over for Korbin Moar who suffered a concussion late into injury time well ref’d by a New Zealander on a working holiday playing for the Florence club. Another outstanding after match and hospitality, with someone we will not mention leaving a longstanding historical STC artifact behind. (Cover-up job by the Reacher) Leaving Florence had its moments, Jonty Wood’s billets motor cycle broke down on the way to catch the bus, he hitches a ride with a stranger who spoke sufficient English for Jonty to convey his urgency to catch the bus to the port of Livorno for the ferry to Corsica. A sad farewell to our beloved bus driver Luigi, a tear in his eye, as he gave the final roll call,’ Jeremy”. Leaving Italy is always sad, the Italians as previously mentioned are great hosts and the bonds that have been cemented by previous tours with those clubs and personel have ensured smooth pathways and relationships in our journey through Italy. (Goodbye Alberto)
Corsica.( Arriving in France, certainly has buoyed Akli)
Friday 21 April:
11.30am departure from Livorno on Corsica Ferries, arriving 3.15pm at Bastia. Our bus driver joined with Hayden Padden the Rally of Corsica for the afternoon journey to Ile Rosse and that’s all I will say, apart from the fact that I did check the Insurance policy if it covered departing souls to heaven
A week of sunshine, swimming, rugby, cards (Jesus comes into his own here), fine dining, and sightseeing around the Island and birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. There is a story here, on the Ferry; Dean Smith is drawn into a quiz with the Reacher. First question, Dean what is the name of the sea we are travelling across, he replies, the Atlantic, wrong, (Mediterranean). Second question, Dean, the tide in the Mediterranean only rises and falls 6 inches, what causes the tide to rise and fall. He did not know the answer, that science teacher in Dean’s Year 10 class has a lot to answer for.
Saturday22 April:
de L’lle Rouse: The team were billeted at the Banista Residence for 5 days, a welcome retreat for players, parents, coaches and staff. The International tournament was cancelled due to a scheduling issue so the team had a 10 aside hit out against some local lads. That evening members of the local rugby club and Island officials (Andre) had a memorial dinner at the residence with lots of singing , (Hula) hilarity, Lance Bradley winning the Rapp competition, and Rowdy gaining a new girlfriend. The residence was good base to visit Calvi, walk the hills of Corsica and visit key tourist sites. We also countered some sickness here amongst the boys. On ANZAC day, we conducted a service at the Cenotaph in Calvi, home of the French Foreign Legion, with the players placing poppies under the names of those Corsicans who had sacrificed their lives in a number of conflicts in all parts of the world. Performing a Haka to honor the fallen, which drew a large crowd of tourists and locals.
Wednesday 26 April:
Our 9am departure to Ajaccio on the bus was delayed to 11.15, with lunch at the Capital Corte high in the Corsican Mountains, another rousing Haka by the boy’s in the town square with the Mayor and local dignitaries present.
Arriving in Ajaccio, the playing field was similar to any Canterbury country ground, (long grass, being mown on arrival) so many of the boys felt at home. Another tough niggly encounter won 36 – 10, with a former International STC referee, (Reacher) controlling the game with some assistance from Jesus and Dairy. A good all round team effort with James Leatherby, Liam Hattrill, Reece Merrett, Jacob Collins and Johvaan Renata having good games.
As in the past, and I reiterate again the hospitality, relationships cemented, friendship and the pleasure it brings to the rugby people of those clubs we visit in France and the reciprocal interaction by the tour party is hard to measure in human terms. But those who have gone before and on the current tour know what I am on about here. To honor the school and tour party, the Mayor of Ajaccio put on a Mayoral reception in appreciation for the St Thomas’s in again visiting and playing rugby against the Ajaccio Club and the locals esteem for the people of New Zealand. Later that evening, after memorable dinner,( Hula with Andre on guitar) at the Latin Restaurant Jackie Redmond and Geoff the Ref on the walk home became the object of clever stuka dive by a contingent of sea gulls with the aforementioned lady and gentleman shat on bringing a myriad of stitches of laughter and tears from fellow onlookers who had avoided the deluge from the aerial attack. On to France.
Friday 28 April:
Departure 8pm on the overnight Ferry to Toulon arriving at 7am, lunch at Avignon, to Vienne.
Vienne has been a long-standing city that previous tours have stayed at and it has been the focus of International rugby tournaments, close friendships that Akli & Judy have forged and outstanding hospitality. The rugby club, Cote de Arey hosted us with the boy’s being billeted and I stayed with Dean and my French family of Adele and Jean-Claude, their daughters and grandchildren who I have watched grow up.
Monday 1st May:
Tournament day with a 3.30pm kick off the STC boy’s were pumped for a hit-out playing three 25-minute games.
STC vs Cote de Arey won 21 -5.
STC vs Vienne won 64 – 0
STV vs Invitational Team 33 – 7
Good games from Josh Neilson, Luke Shallcross, Conor Jordan, Levani Rova in the backs ably supported up front by Jack, Jovaan Renata, and Captain Josh McVicar.
The following day we travelled to Lyon and visited the Citadel high above the city, walked through the old quarter in rain, lunched, visiting secret tunnels and one of the largest Malls in France.
(Drama, a wallet left on the bus).
Wednesday 3rd May:
Train to Paris and Tournan.
In rain, we played and won a close game against GTO the Tournan club team, playing very good wet weather rugby going through the tour un-beaten. The following days were spent touring the sites of Paris, climbing the Eifel Tower and visiting the Louvre. Security was tight in Paris with soldiers and armed police patrolling the suburbs and key tourist sites. We lost several members of the tour on the metro, well done Jacob for doing the right thing, as for Rsolie that is another story. Our last evening was spent with the club who had organized a barbeque, the boy’s receiving gifts from the club and conversations with the locals well into the evening.
On reflection, your sons were magnificent ambassadors for New Zealand. They embraced their billets in an engaging and open manner and from feedback, the families greatly appreciated having our boy’s stay with them. I was particularly impressed with the way they conducted themselves on ANZAC day at the ceremonies, we had in Monte Casino and Calvi. It was good to go through two countries without any conflict or disciplinary issues of consequence. There were long days and the team coped and adjusted to the language and cultural differences very well.
Everywhere we went, the locals could not get enough of the Haka. It is a big thing in Europe, the respect for the All Blacks and New Zealand. Many of the teams that faced us played each game like a test match, showing respect for the Haka and STC. Consequently, there was no respite for our boys when it came to be playing their matches. The teams played a good style of rugby and adjusted to the rules at each venue we travelled to without complaint.
The parents that travelled developed a close bond as we went further on the journey. Parents supported the coaches and fully immersed themselves in the day to day running of the team. It was appreciated by management, especially Karim. Either looking after the boy’s, ensuring they all got on the metro in Paris or riding shotgun on our many excursions on foot or at the various tourist venues we visited or providing pastoral care when needed.(Thanks).
Finally, these tours do not take place without the organizational skills, pathways and friendships established by Akli and Judy Lafdal. Jackie Redmond for organizing the finances and travel details, and the coaches Dean Smith and Andre Renata for their time coaching the team and Karim for his Pastoral overview and humour.
Marty Taylor