After a very early start (430am up) with a delicious buffet breakfast inc mackerel, French toast and coco pops went off like a treat... we assemble for the bus back to the airport. With a quick head count.... suddenly we realised that we had our first two Sleep In boys. Not naming them both we in my team this year and now have a small fine for being late... :) .
Narita Airport is a busy and bustling place but the boys really have got into the habit quickly of being ready for checking and getting through security. Great to see...
After an 1hr flight, we arrived to a cloudy and cool Sapporo dressed in our Tour Gold shirts. Funnily enough, the flight contained many Aussies doing the same as us, going straight to the stadium to watch the early afternoon match.
And WHAT a stadium it is. If you haven’t already type into google ‘Sapporo Stadium’ and see how the field transforms from baseball to rugby pitch... amazing venue, fill with a sea of gold. 1000s of Aussies here for the first game. Superb atmosphere.
After sorting tickets, getting our seats and allocating groups we settled in for a wonderful display of running rugby by the Fijian side to lead Aust at half time. The atmosphere was outstanding and what a venue!!!. Thankfully the wallabies turned it on in the second half and won convincingly in the end.
After the game we all regathered and heading off to Yamanote High School for the boys to meet their billets for the night. It was great to see our guys meet their Japanese host with a wonderful Aussie version of ‘konnichiwa’. All looked a little nervous but were reassured and welcomed openly. I’m sure there will be some stories told in the morning.
Tomorrow, we have a big day.... coaching clinic in the morning, our first game in the afternoon and then to top it off, back to Sapporo stadium to see England play Tonga tomorrow night. Big day... hope you enjoy the photos...
Best regards,
Ian Browne
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