Raukura under-15 rugby players paid tribute to their Maori Battalion koroua before playing an Australian side on Anzac Day.
The Rotorua Boys' High School team visited the 28 Maori Battalion B Company exhibition at Rotorua Museum before going on to beat Sydney's St Aloysius' College under-16 side 20-14 at Neil Hunt Park.
Coach Richard Francis said the guided tour was an ideal way for the team to prepare for a great transtasman battle played in the Anzac spirit. "It was a great way to remember our koros and whanau who fought for us together with the Aussies."
He said the boys played against an older and bigger side, clawing back a 14-5 deficit at half time to win.