BY JOY OFASIA
THE Briars Women’s Rugby 7s team from Sydney, New South Wales, has touched down in Honiara, marking a significant milestone as they embark on their first international tour.
The squad of 12 players is set to engage in friendly matches against the Solomon Islands women’s rugby team, a journey that promises not only competition but cultural exchange.
Three matches are scheduled for Saturday at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium, with the first game kicking off at noon.
In an interview with RAW SPORTS, Chris Nay, the national 7s Technical Coach for the Solomon Islands, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“This tour is part of our developing programs moving forward,” Nay said. “We hope to gain valuable experience ahead of the upcoming Oceania 7s, which will allow us to compete against international teams and enhance our skills.”
Nay stressed the importance of playing against diverse teams.
“Competing against different islands helps us understand various playing styles. It’s crucial for our development to practice against strong opposition,” he noted.
The Briars team is equally excited about the opportunity to play in the Solomon Islands. Player Jacinta Tui shared her eagerness, stating, “I’m looking forward to playing against the Solomon Islands team and exploring the islands.”
Ruthie Mose, another player and veteran of the tour, echoed her sentiments, expressing anticipation for the matches ahead.
“I am excited since this is my second tour to the Solomon Islands and I can’t wait to play with against the Solomon Islands girls,” she said.
In addition to the games, the Briars team plans to visit local schools and villages, promoting rugby and sharing their love for the sport with the community.
Note: The Australian Defence Force Sports team and Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation have been hosting a high-performance training camp in Honiara this week. As part of the camp, a National Team Trial and Preparation Tournament’ will be held at Town Ground tomorrow, Saturday, 12 October 2024.
Excitingly, this tournament will feature the New South Wales women’s rugby team – the Briars, who arrived on Wednesday. The Briars will play against the Solomon Islands women’s national team and have also engaged with the local community, visiting Burns Creek.
Match Schedule:- 12:50 PM: SI Women’s vs Briars – Australia- 1:30 PM: SI Men’s Blue vs SI Men’s Yellow- 2:10 PM: SI Women’s vs Briars – Australia- 2:50 PM: SI Men’s Blue vs SI Men’s Yellow- 3:30 PM: SI Women’s vs Briars – Australia- 4:00 PM: Presentations. This is a FREE event open to all!- Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024- Time: 12:50 PM – 4:30 PM
