Glenwood to face Rotorua Boys' in semifinals

The South African have had a very successful tournament, winning all their games in the build-up toward the semifinals. In their opening match, Glenwood beat Osaka Toin of Japan, but had to fight hard for a victory over the Queen Victoria the team from Fiji.

In the quarterfinals, the team secured a 61-7 victory comfortably against Keio High School of Osaka.

Before the two teams go head-to-head in the semifinals, the boys along with Rotorua Boys' had an off day to experience some local Japanese culture. Both schools took part in a purifying and blessing ceremony. The NZ team also performed their Haka in appreciation.

After the shrine the team departed to a large martial arts gym which was set up with various drums of different sizes and shapes. They group was given a performance of the Japanese drums by the musicians. The boys were then separated and the New Zealand team was left to learn the drums as Glenwood was taken outside to experience mochi pounding. This was the art of making the Japanese style rice cakes which fill the shelves in every self-respecting Japanese supermarket.

The teams needed this time to relax before the crucial and much anticipated semifinal against Rotorua.