Contact Numbers

Telephone +64 3 342 9433

Facsimile +64 3 342 9433
Mobile 021 1404345 Phil Robson
Mobile 021 0542587 Louise Smith
Email info@totalrugby.co.nz
Online www.totalrugby.co.nz

Itinerary Specially Prepared for

KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Soak it Up 100% Pure New Zealand Rugby Tour April 2016

WELCOME

It is my pleasure, as Managing Director of Total Rugby, to welcome Matt Williams and the
Knox Grammar School back to New Zealand. We have built a solid relationship over the
past couple of seasons and hosting your proud school has been a great delight. Heading to
the North Island on this trip will be a different experience but no less memorable. Welcome,
Haere Mai, and enjoy your stay.

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

Weather: April is autumn weather, which means it can be very changeable. Temperatures
can fluctuate wildly, from high 20s / low 30s to almost single figures. However, the
average should be about 16 degrees Celsius.
Grounds: Grounds will be in good condition without the winter rains. If weather is warm
they could be very hard. Multi-studded boots should be adequate for backs (no guarantee),
but are unlikely to provide adequate traction for tight forwards. Medium length studs
recommended

Game protocol: Most schools in New Zealand have their own haka and it is common
practice for the host school to perform the haka for overseas visiting teams. This is meant
as a challenge and it is up to the visiting team to accept it as they wish. Generally, the
team facing the challenge will line up on their own 10m line and front up. This is seen as
the most respectful. Three cheers are performed at the end of the match and players shake
hands with the opposition.
Mouthguards: Mouthguards are compulsory at all levels of rugby in New Zealand. The ref
will inspect that you have a mouthguard at the start of the game.
Rugby Rules: Crutch binding in the scrums and lifting in the lineout is permitted in New
Zealand age group rugby.
After match Arrangements: It is customary in New Zealand rugby to have an after-match
function for special visiting teams. It is a tradition we are keen to maintain. The after match
is generally held at the hosts clubrooms or school. Speeches are made by the MC and
respective captains. Often the visiting coach or manager is also invited to speak. There is
always an exchange of gifts. This can take the form of a plaque/pendant, club or school ties,
players jersey, touring booklet, pins/badges, beanies or something else that has been
prepared. Food is then served.
Ice: Ice for sideline treatment of injuries is available from nearly all service stations and
supermarkets. It is recommended that teams bring an insulated container for storing ice at
matches.
First Aid: It is not compulsory to have a first aid officer at every game as it is in Australia.
Initial first aid is generally administered by coaching and/or management staff. Emergency
services are available for more serious injuries. The emergency number in New Zealand is
111. There are after-hours medical services available in all main centres. Total Rugby will
assist with coordinating medical services including physiotherapy. It is expected that tour
groups will have their own travel insurance to cover medical expenses. Operators of tourist
services have their own policies regarding health and safety and issues arising should be
managed directly with them.
Medical Centres:
Auckland: Ascot Accident & Medical Centre (24 hours), Ground Floor Ascot Hospital, 90
Greenland Road East, Phone 09 520 9555
Rotorua: Accident & Urgent Medical Care Centre, 1165 Tutanekai Street, Phone 07 348
1000
Equipment: Total Rugby has a number of training balls available. Please make an early
request for other specific equipment if required as it is possible to source a range of gear.
Laundry: Coin operated laundry facilities are available at all your accommodation providers.
We do recommend that everyone brings at least one towel with them.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily throughout your itinerary. Breakfasts
are continental (typically cereal, toast and spreads, tea/coffee), lunches are packed and are
provided at your accommodation to be collected each day as you leave breakfast, dinners
are two course (main course and dessert) or buffet style.

Security/valuables: This is your own responsibility. Valuables have been stolen before.
Please never assume that it will be okay to leave valuables unattended or gear rooms
unlocked. Every attempt will be made to assist you with your own security.
Itinerary Times: All the times shown on this itinerary have been booked and confirmed with
the accommodation providers and activity operators. For meal time changes please liaise
directly with the hotel. If you wish to change timings for any activities or find you are
running behind schedule please contact Total Rugby so that we can inform the operator
Vouchers: On your arrival your tour leader will be given a voucher booklet containing the
vouchers you will be required to hand over to our operators for the various activities
included in your tour.
Liaison: Total Rugby staff will be available 24 hours. Please use the cell phone numbers on
this page. Our staff will not always be with you during your activities but we will check in
with you each day, either in the evening to discuss the days events and go over the next
day, or in the morning.
Luggage: Due to coach luggage capacity it is requested that each person is limited to one
suitcase and one carry-on bag. If your luggage is going to exceed this please advise Total
Rugby prior to your arrival.
Rugby Boots: New Zealand has very strict biosecurity regulations, during your flight please
complete the Passenger Arrival Card supplied by the airline with care and ensure rugby
boots are clean prior to your departure.
Emergency and Risk Management: Total Rugby have an Emergency Management Plan that
you will have a copy of. Staff will take you through this and ask for a sign off.

WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL
SYDNEY / AUCKLAND
1500 Arrive into Auckland on flight QF143. On clearing customs and immigration
formalities you will be met and welcomed by Total Rugby staff who will assist
with uplifting your rental vehicle and your coach transfer to your
accommodation.
Check in to the lodge at the AUT Millennium where accommodation is
confirmed for four nights
Accommodation: AUT Millennium Lodge
17 Antares Place
Mairangi Bay, Auckland
Phone 09 477 2000

Stay, train and relax with comfortable accommodation and world-class sports
facilities. At the AUT Millennium Lodge, youll find everything you need to
focus on your goal. Between training sessions, relax in the lounges, games
room, outdoor barbecue area, and eatery. Rooms are divided into three
separate wings, each with their own lounges and kitchenettes for tea, coffee
and snacks, with main meals prepared and served in-house. Sky TV is
available throughout.
Training session prior to dinner (if time permits)
1930 Dinner at your accommodation
2030 Weights training session in the Power Zone Area
THURSDAY 14 APRIL
AUCKLAND
0700 Training session on fields (venue TBC)
0800 Breakfast at your accommodation. Packed lunches will be available to collect
at breakfast time.
0900 Weights training session in the Power Zone Area
1100 Field training (venue TBC) (1.5 hours)

1530 Field training (venue TBC) (2 hours)

1830 Dinner at your accommodation
1930 Pool recovery session
FRIDAY 15 APRIL
AUCKLAND
0800 Breakfast at your accommodation. Packed lunches will be available to collect
at breakfast time.
0930 This morning you will be joined by local elite level coaches
for your 2 hour Total Rugby Training Experience.
Steve Jackson
A former New Zealand Maori, Southland, Tasman, Auckland
and North Harbour lock, Jackson is in his 3rd season as
Harbour's head coach. Previously Steve had a successful stint
under former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga at Counties
Manukau. Steve is also currently the Blues Development Head
coach and has been in this role since 2014. Steve is also
involved as a positional coach for the current NZ U20s
program. Before that, Jackson's coaching credentials were
honed by claiming back-to-back club titles with North Shore
club Massey and a championship with Marist in Nelson, where
he also assisted Tasman in the NPC.
Bill Wigglesworth
A North Harbour Representative No8 Bill has been involved
coaching the Harbour 2nd XV for 7 seasons and also has had
Coaching stints as the Blues U18 forwards coach and more
recently with the NZ Black Ferns as a regional coach. Bill is
currently heading the Harbour Womens performance program
in both Sevens and 15s.Bill has coached the East Coast Bays
premier club team for 9 years.

Geoff Alley
Geoff is a former Waikato and North Harbour first class
rugby player. In 1992 he played 7s for New Zealand at the
Hong Kong 7s tournament. In 1998 he played for the USA
Eagles 15s. Geoff is an extremely successful Sevens coach,
his knowledge of the game is extensive and as head coach
of the North Harbour Sevens team he recently guided an
extremely young Harbour side to the national finals in
2016. Geoff has also been involved in growing the
performance of the Philippines National sevens program. Geoff has coached

Colts, 2nd XV, for North Harbour and also a successful Silverdale premier
team in 2013.
1300 Early afternoon depart by coach for an Auckland city highlights tour.
Included in your tour is a stop at Sky Tower and time to walk to the
Auckland viaduct and waterfront. Two coaches will be provided for this tour
SKYTOWER
At 328 meters this is the tallest man-made
structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking
views for up to 80km in every direction. Travel up
in the glass-fronted lifts to one of the three
spectacular viewing platforms
Group leader to present voucher
1830

Dinner at your accommodation

SATURDAY 16 APRIL
AUCKLAND
0800 Weights training session in the Power Zone Area
0930 Breakfast at your accommodation. Please pick up your packed lunches at
breakfast.
Late morning/early afternoon field session (time TBC)
The afternoon is at your leisure with the option to watch local club rugby
(details to be confirmed)
1700 Early dinner at your accommodation
1800 Depart by coach and rental vehicle for Eden Park for this evenings Super
Rugby match
1935 BLUES VS SHARKS

SUNDAY 17 APRIL
AUCKLAND/HAMILTON/ROTORUA
0800 Breakfast at your accommodation. Then check out
0915 Depart Auckland by coach and rental vehicle for a short stop in Hamilton.

1100 Brunch with All Blacks Brodie Retallic, Sam Cane and Tawera Kerr-Barlow at
The Ambassador Hotel, Hamilton. Learn about the life of a professional
rugby player, there will be an opportunity for photographs and autographs.
Brodie Retallic
Brodie attended Christchurch Boys High School before
playing for the Hawkes Bay Magpies in the 2010 and 2011
ITM Cup. In 2011 he also played for the New Zealand U20
squad in the IRB Junior World Championship in Italy where
NZ won. His All Black debut was against Ireland in 2012.
Brodie played every test that year - 13 in all. He added
further 11 tests in 2013. In 2014 he won World Rugby Play
of the Year. Last year he was an integral member of the
World Championship winning All Black team.
He has playing for the Chiefs since 2012 where the won the
Super Rugby Title and won it again in 2013.
Hawkes Bay - 9 caps
Chiefs 59 - 59 caps
NZ U20 - 4 caps
All Blacks - 47 caps
Sam Cane
Sam made his debut for the All Blacks in 2012 coming off
the bench and made his starting debut in the final match of
the series against Ireland. Sam has also represented NZ
Under 20 in the 2011 IRB World Championship where they
won the title. He was a key member of the 2015 RWC
winning All Black side and captained the team against
Namibia. Sam debuted for the Chiefs in 2011. Since then he
has won two Super Rugby titles and 3 awards as the Chiefs
Play of the Year. He is also a former NZ Age Group Player of
the Year.
Bay of Plenty - 18 caps
Chiefs - 71 caps
NZ U20 - 4 caps
All Blacks - 31 caps
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Tawera was born in Melbourne. His mother represented
Australia in rugby and his uncle Tukere Barlow played
league for New Zealand Maori. He was part of the New
Zealand Under 20 side that won the Junior World
Championship in Argentina in 2010. Hi All Black debut
was against Scotland in 2012. A serious knee injury in
the Test against South Africa in October 2014 kept in out
of rugby for over 8 months. His last test was against the
Wallabies in London during the RWC final.
Waikato - 18 caps
Chiefs - 56 caps

Maori All Blacks - 2 caps

All Blacks - 20 caps
Then continue on to Rotorua and check in to the Four Canoes Hostel where
accommodation is confirmed for your next 2 tour nights
Accommodation: Four Canoes Hostel
273 Fenton Street
Rotorua
Phone: 07 349 3370
Four Canoes Hostel is located in the heart of
Rotorua. It is a 4 star Qualmark rated
property spread out over 4,000 square
metres of land. The Hostel has an
abundance of space and amazing facilities for
all including access to an outdoor swimming pool, a heated thermal mineral
pool, unlimited WiFi and a cosy movie lounge. It is the only hostel in
Rotorua that completely embraces the indigenous Maori culture throughout
the complex. The property is all geothermal which means all the heating
throughout the property is heated naturally utilizing natural resources.
1730 Early evening depart by coach and rental vehicle for Te Puia for a cultural
experience
1800 TE PO
The Te P Tour is a one of a kind feast of storytelling, entertainment and
Mori cuisine. Be enriched with a deeper understanding of Mori traditions
and absorb the unforgettable sights of this top Rotorua attraction at
nightfall. Highlights include: Taste an exquisite Mori feast prepared in
the traditional Hangi style. You will be treated to an entre of New Zealand
mussels, corn on the cob, traditional rewana bread and dips, and a local
drink made from kawakawa extract and manuka honey. The Hangi prepared
meals are accompanied by flavoured meats, chicken, lamb, vegetables and
salads. After dinner you will be invited to board the motorised waka (a Mori
canoe) for a journey Through the Valley Under Lights. Be awed by the
magical evening sights of Te Puia's geothermal valley as you glide down the
river. You'll disembark the waka right in front of the Pohutu Geyser,
illuminated in its full glory beneath a starry sky. Marvel at the sight of this
glorious natural wonder, while your tour guide entertains you with traditional
Mori mythology and stories. Be enthralled by Maori Cultural
performances, , featuring traditional storytelling and entertainment. You
even get the opportunity to participate in the graceful poi dance or ferocious
haka.

MONDAY 18 APRIL
ROTORUA
0700 Breakfast at the hostel.
0815 Then transfer by coach and rental vehicle to the Kawarau Jet jetty at the
Rotorua Lakefront. Please report to the Kawarau Jet office by 8:40am
Please bring swimwear and towel and dress warmly
KAWERAU JET ROTORUA - MANUPIRUA HOT SPRINGS TOUR
Travel at high speeds across scenic Lake Rotorua to the Ohau Channel,
then on to Lake Rotoiti where you will be taken to the beautiful and
peaceful Manupiria Hot Pools for a relaxing soak. These tranquil hot pools
are set in a very special place and only accessible by boat. Return back to
the base with yet more excitement to be expected from jetboat. Total trip
time approx. 2.5 hours.

1130 (approx.)

Then head to Skyline Rotorua

SKYLINE SKYRIDES
Set high on the side of Mount Ngongotaha with extensive views of Rotorua
city,Lake Rotorua, geothermal areas and surrounding hinterlands, Skyline
Skyrides provides the ideal venue for a day of fun and adventure. Included in
your package: return gondola ride, 2 luge rides per person and buffet lunch

1900 Dinner at Four Canoes hostel this evening

TUESDAY 19 APRIL

ROTORUA/AUCKLAND
0800 Breakfast at the hostel. Packed lunches will be available to collect at breakfast
time. Then check out

0900 Depart Four Canoes hostel by coach and rental car, stop for your final Rotorua
attraction.

0930 AGROVENTURES
Agroventures is the home of unique
New Zealand adventures. Here you
will find the worlds only Shweeb, the
fastest jet sprint experience in the
country - Agrojet, swing from 40m
towards the earth at 130kmph - New
Zealands one and only Swoop and
the Southern Hemispheres only
Freefall Xtreme wind tunnel. Your
package includes 2 activities per
person.
1300 Depart Rotorua for Auckland.
1700 Players will then meet billets and depart for the evening.
Staff to make own way by rental vehicle to Auckland Rose Park Hotel where
accommodation is confirmed for the final 2 tour nights.
Accommodation: Auckland Rose Park Hotel
92-102 Gladstone Road
Parnell, Auckland
Phone 09 377 3619

The Auckland Rose Park has a convenient central location within the chic
Auckland city suburb of Parnell. Overlooking Sir Dove Myer Robinson park,
which incorporates Parnell Rose Gardens, the hotel is located close to key
motorway access points, vibrant retail and dining precincts and local
attractions. All rooms have wireless access, flatscreen TVs with Freeview and
Sky TV channels and there is a outdoor swimming pool on site.
Dinner is own arrangements this evening
WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL
AUCKLAND
Breakfast is own arrangements this morning
Staff to pick up packed lunches for the group this morning before they depart
the hotel
1000 Players to be dropped at Ponsonby Rugby Club at Western Springs
Packed lunches will be provided
1300 MATCH 1 U16 & Second XV
1430 MATCH 1 First XV
Knox Grammar Vs Mount Albert Grammar
MAGS is a large co-ed state secondary school
(2700). A very culturally diverse school it has a large
proportion of Pacifica students. It has 10 rugby
teams and can boast recent graduates All Blacks
Sonny Bill Williams and Steven Luatua. It won the
national title in 2010 and consistently finishes
amongst the top 4 in the Auckland schools
competition. Two players from MAGS were selected for NZ Schools this year
and 7 made the Auckland School side.
The matches will be followed by an aftermatch function. Supporters
and families are invited to attend
1715 Then transfer to Auckland Rose Park Hotel where players will check in for
your final tour night
1900 Dinner at the hotel

THURSDAY 21 APRIL
AUCKLAND/SYDNEY
0800 Breakfast at the hostel. Packed lunches will be available to collect at
breakfast time.
1000 Check out of the hotel. Your luggage can be stored
Free time prior to your airport transfer
1230 Transfer by coach and rental vehicle to Auckland International Airport. Your
rental vehicle will be returned to Auckland Airport, details to follow. Please
ensure there is a full tank of fuel when you drop the vehicle.
1605 Depart Auckland on flight QF148
Your Tour Arrangements Terminate
We wish you a safe journey home