Rugby: Canada players at Papamoa Primary

MIXING IN: Canada fullback Julianne Zussman with Papamoa Primary School pupils yesterday. PHOTO: ANDREW WARNER

Papamoa Primary School sports co-ordinator Hamish Avery never imagined a jog in the park three years ago would lead to a visit by the Canada women's rugby team.

But today 12 of the touring party were welcomed to the school with a rousing powhiri from 200 students that resulted from Avery bumping into the Canada team training.

"I was going for a run through Gordon Spratt Reserve and they were training there. I Google-stalked them and got hold of their PR lady and said if they ever want to do a school visit then come on down," Avery said.

"They must have kept my details from that day because they emailed me a couple of weeks ago and we jacked it up. They are lovely to have here, they are a good team and good athletes. You know, a really good crew."

Avery said the Papamoa students were looking forward to meeting the players and showing off their Matariki-based artwork as well as having a rugby skills session.

"The kids really get the fact that they are from the other side of the world. Canada is a vastly different place to here. They also get the fact that rugby is becoming a lot more global and girls can play rugby as well as boys.

"Of course you have the Olympics now with the women's sevens and the Black Ferns are number one in the world. The Canadians are number three so they are obviously pretty good rugby players as well."

Canada are involved in the International Women's Rugby Series that culminates at Rotorua on Saturday. They play Australia next to the Rotorua International Stadium after narrow losses to New Zealand and England.

Fullback and vice-captain Julianne Zussman, 30, said they loved visiting schools when they were last in New Zealand so jumped at the chance to mix and mingle with the Papamoa students.

"When we were here three years ago it had a huge impact on us as far as connecting with the local community and really feeling the passion for rugby," she said.

"We feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come to New Zealand, to a country that is so rich in rugby culture. It is not even comparable in Canada and so we immediately feel welcomed into the community and feel that rugby player to rugby player connection."

The powhiri from the Papamoa Primary students made a memorable impression on all the Canadian players.

"It is nothing like anything we have at home. We don't learn to sing when we were growing up so I feel jealous I don't have a voice like them," Zussman said laughing.

"Honestly it just warms our hearts to get connected with the community and it is good to get away from the rugby field for a bit."

Zussman said they had put their two defeats behind them and were focused on finishing on a high with a win over Australia.

After the way they were accepted into the Papamoa family yesterday the Canada team have a few hundred new fans hoping they beat the Aussies tomorrow.

International Women's Rugby Series, Saturday
Canada v Australia, Smallbone Park, 12.30pm
Black Ferns v England, Rotorua International Stadium, 4.15pm