Rugby promotes cultural exchange

For three weeks every four years a team of Japanese rugby players tour Queensland playing various university teams and experiencing Australian culture.

In 2008 the match between Aichi Shukotoku University and the University of Southern Queensland fell on Good Friday, 21 March 2008.

USQ Rugby Club Secretary and Team Manager Shane Simmons said the event is always entertaining and gives the two cultures a chance to mix.

'It's really interesting to observe Japanese culture, it is a real eye opener for some people,' Mr Simmons said.

'If they lose a game they apologise to the coach for dishonouring him and a lot will break into tears during the apology.

'Even though rugby is a game for all sizes, statures and body types the Japanese tend to have a similar stature. It's rather unique.

'Usually you have a few pudgy guys, a few taller guys, in set positions, but they can swap and change any position and you don't really notice a difference!'

The two universities have played each other four times over the past 12 years.

'It's a three week tour. They go up to Rockhampton via the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast then head inland to Emerald then down to Miles, Dalby and Toowoomba before back to Brisbane and back home.'

The tour is organised by the Director of Coaching at Aichi Shukotoku University, Harry Norris.

Originally from Queensland, Mr Norris moved to Japan to teach English.

'There are around 23 players, up to four or five girls and support staff which usually includes a couple of Australians as well.

'The squad diminishes as they start suffering injuries. By the time they get to USQ it's usually down a bit so we lend them a couple of players.

'The girlfriends are usually the water girls. One was such a hard worker this year I awarded her one of our club shirts for doing such a fantastic job,' Mr Simmons said.

This year USQ won the game, 43 to 23.

'Last time they drew with us. They played a much better standard of rugby this year, in saying that we fielded a higher standard of team. We normally play our Colts team but like to mix it around with all grades.'

Mr Simmons said Aichi Shukotoku University was quite similar to USQ.

'They only became a university in 1975 so they also went through a journey to being a full university.

'In 1905 they were a school for girls. They've been continually adding faculties, and of course we have just added the Law School. They've recently added a medical faculty.

'They're also based in a regional city, about half an hour from Nagoya.'

At the end of each match players celebrate with a few different rituals.

'We exchange gifts at the end of the game; this year they gave our players a tie and we reciprocated with USQ Rugby ‘bucket' hats.

'Our blokes really enjoy it and have a good time after. We give them a good Aussie barbecue. They have boat races, there is a XXXX Gold one, we win that and then they bring out the Saki, and they win that.

'They love their singing. We do our club song and they do theirs but then they just keep going. It's definitely a unique experience.

'They're not a top national rugby university and I guess we're not really either in the scheme of things but it's a nice match.'

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559