The pain is all worth it.
A group of Tauranga Girls' College under-15 sevens players attracted attention on Saturday as they ran to the top of Mauao and back down carrying rubber tyres.
The tough task in the morning heat was part of a team bonding session as the girls prepare to represent Bay of Plenty for the first time at two major sevens tournaments.
This Wednesday they take on some of the country's best teams in the NZ Rugby Invitational Under-15 girls' finals day at Waitemata Rugby Club in West Auckland, which is the warm-up event before their debut appearance at the national Condor Sevens finals to be held at Kelston Boys' High School from November 29-30.
Qualifying for the Condors took some doing.