Samoa rugby squad shapes up as school favourite

Rotorua Primary School students seem to have selected their second team to support during the Rugby World Cup.

The school was visited by the RWC Samoan rugby team yesterday, and pupil Whero Ropata presented them a carved paddle on behalf of the Bay of Plenty region.

Whero was among a large group - including the rest of his schoolmates, a Sunset Primary School class and parents, staff, teachers and a media scrum - that turned out to see the visit.

Whero said it was exciting to be the one to hand over the taonga.

Rotorua Primary School principal John Naera said the hoe (paddle) was carved by Hepara August and depicted a tekoteko (figurehead) and a taratara-a-kai design.

He told The Daily Post the whole school community enjoyed the event and said the team made a real connection with the children.

The Samoan team also performed their own dances and invited an appreciative crowd to join in.

"They then mingled with the crowd and were signing everything.

"They were great."

Mr Naera said the whole team turned up including management.

He said it was great for the kids who were excited about "the whole hype of it". He said the children would most likely be supporting Samoa as their second team.

Rotorua District Council Rugby World Cup co-ordinator Renee Nathan said five paddles had been carved to present to Rugby World Cup teams visiting the Bay of Plenty.

A presentation was also made to the Namibian World Cup rugby team at Rotorua Girls' High School this week.