Rugby team from the Chinese Army to visit Auckland

A 25-strong representative Army Rugby Team from the People’s Republic of China will visit New Zealand 23 September – 6 October 2007. The team will be hosted by the Navy at the Devonport Naval Base from 23 – 29 September before travelling to Linton Army Camp for the remainder of their time in New Zealand.

During the NZ tour, the team will play matches against the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the New Zealand Army and are scheduled to attend a number of elite coaching camps.

Whilst at the Devonport Naval Base, the team will undergo NZRFU training sessions, and coaching from North Harbour Rugby. The highlight is to play a curtain raiser game against the Royal New Zealand Navy Rugby Team at North Harbour Stadium on Friday, 28 September 2007 – kick off at 5:15 pm.

Last year the Army Rugby Team from the People’s Republic of China toured Australia and this year, through a major collaborative effort involving political, military, business and community partners, this historic two week tour has been made possible.