Each summer, Michigan Rugby sends one or two select players to New Zealand to train with our partner club, Poneke FC. Jack Regan, Zach Small, and Max Nelson are there now, and Jack is writing about his experiences abroad each week. This post concerns June 2- June 8.
The beginning of the week was normal as we settled into our new routine with work and practice. Things have been going smoothly since we’ve moved into our own apartment. Morale is definitely up. A huge Samoan feast on Thursday night helped with that as we celebrated their culture with the whole Poneke club. It was also their old-timers weekend, or what we refer to as Old Boys’ weekend. Members of the club who’ve played in years past came out to support the team. Unfortunately, this didn’t translate to a win on the field. However, it was a big game for Michigan, as all 3 of us got the start.
After the game, we hurried back to our place, where Large and I devoured some KFC (our postgame tradition) before heading over to Sky Stadium to watch the Hurricanes playoff game. The Hurricanes ended up dominating and won with ease! It was a great time and a good atmosphere. I highly recommend catching a Super Rugby game if you can.
The night ended back at the Poneke clubhouse, where there was a big old-timers celebration. We chatted with players and coaches and were introduced to many old boys. What a fun night! Stay tuned for the coming weeks. Big plans ahead!
