The final game on tour always seems to be the toughest; not necessarily because the opposition is so much better but because the boys have come to a point where physically they are taxed the most. The fatigue of long travel, early mornings, changes in sleep and diet patterns as well as the odd sniffle and stuffy head takes its greatest toll at this point. Yet invariably it is also the point at which the team displays the best that they have taken from this formative experience through their bonding, their positive attitudes and in the effort they put out on the playing field. Though we lost this game it was our most competitive effort. The shock-loading of high level rugby that started March 12th has now started to pay dividends for this young Striker side. Improvements have come across the board from the set pieces to completing passes under pressure to kicking, to winning the contact area through improved tackling, rucking and repetitive phases of possession. Needless to say we are very proud of this group of athletes who have started to come together as a rugby team.
