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NZ Universities started their five match tour the hard way, by playing two matches on the same day in Kuala Lumpur. With a 25 man squad eleven players appeared in both matches.
It may say something about the variable standard of rugby in Asia that the Universities were able to comfortably beat Malaysia and Hong Kong, but lost, albeit narrowly, to regional selections in Japan.
Sam Whitelock was an emerging player
“New Zealand Universities made a five match tour to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan in April. The two games in Kuala Lumpur were played on the same day.
Squad:
Backs – Caleb Kahupukoro 4 (Massey), Nick McLennan 3 (Lincoln),Teimana Mohi 5 (Canterbury), Chris Noakes 3 (Otago), David Ormrod 5 (Auckland), Andrew Parata 5 (Otago), Ethan Pollock 5 (Waikato), Shaan Stevens 4 (Waikato), Casey Stone 4 (Massey), David Thompson 5 (Otago), Isaac Thompson 4 (Massey).
Forwards – William Davies 4 (Victoria), Callum Gibbins 5 (Massey), Dan Fitzharris 5 (Massey), Moeahu Flavell 5 (Victoria), Hoani Matenga 3 (Otago),Thomas Meates 5 (Waikato), James Mullarkey 5 (Canterbury), Ryan O’Sullivan 5 (Canterbury), Jerry Pomare 4 (Waikato), Ryan Scholes 5 (Waikato, captain), Tom Vaughan 4 (Auckland), Sam Ward 4 (Albany), Samuel Whitelock 4 (Lincoln), Kieran Williams 4 (Auckland, vice-captain).
Coaches: – Mark Meates (Canterbury),Victor Simpson (Canterbury).
Manager: – Andy Hall (Otago).
Doctor: – Ian Stewart (Otago).
Physiotherapist: Sarah Braithwaite (Canterbury).
Results:
April 21 v Malaysia, at Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur. Won 48-0. D. Thompson (2), McLennan (2),Vaughan, Gibbins, Noakes, Pollock tries; Noakes 4 conversions.
April 21 v Royal Selangor Club Invitation XV, at Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur. Won 33-10. Davies, Flavell, Pomare, I. Thompson, Kahupukoro tries; I. Thompson 4 conversions.
April 24 v Hong Kong, at Kings Park, Hong Kong. Won 33-0. Whitelock, Matenga, Williams, Kahupukoro, Stone tries; Noakes 4 conversions.
April 28 v Kanto Selection at Mitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama. Lost 30-31. Mullarkey, Gibbins, Kahupukoro tries; I. Thompson 3 conversions, 3 penalty goals.
May 2 v Keio Selection, at Keio University, Tokyo. Lost 27-30. Kahupukoro (2), Parata, D. Thompson tries; I. Thompson 2 conversions and penalty goal.”
2010 RUGBY ALMANAC “HAPPENINGS” p.253.
Over the years New Zealand Universities have played in a variety of countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Korea, England, France, Italy, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Their contribution to New Zealand rugby and the spread of the game is perhaps not appreciated as much as it might be.
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