Hamilton Boys High School's rugby world champions were not going to be satisfied with bringing home silverware that wasn't the real deal.
Yesterday, the team were welcomed home from Japan, where they dished up a 40-8 walloping to English side Truro in the final of the Sanix World Rugby Youth
Invitational Tournament in Fukuoka last week.
At Auckland Airport, coach Nigel Hotham said the squad were given a cup for the school's trophy cabinet, but the real trophy - which had never left Japan before - had also made the journey.
"There was some quick talking to convince the Japanese. They had a huge meeting and were really good about it, but we've got to post it back. We're looking forward to taking it to assembly this week."
Players were buoyed by the hundreds of emails sent daily by parents and friends - for many, having them read out was the best part of the day, Mr Hotham said.
"The boys knew they'd been chosen to represent New Zealand. They felt like All Blacks at the World Cup."
As the team emerged, proud mums and dads rang cow bells to greet them, then watched as their sons repaid the support with a team song and haka.
Captain Nick Ross, 17, said nothing compared with lifting the trophy and hearing the national anthem.
