Super rugby trophy tour

WEIGHTLIFTER: Pint-sized Year 3 Mosston School 8-year-old Isla Ericsson shows Rugby Union development officer Justin Lock how to lift the Hurricanes Super Rugby Trophy yesterday.

The Super Rugby Trophy carried some weight with the younger set in Whanganui yesterday during a tour of the Hurricane franchise region.

In fact, weighing in at nearly 30kg the trophy took many by surprise during early morning visits to Gonville and Mosston schools before spending the the lunch break at Sterling Sports in Victoria Ave before heading down to Manawatu.

The trophy was, of course, won by the
Hurricanes this year and it was accompanied by head mascot Captain Hurricane and Wanganui Rugby Union game development officer Justin Lock during yesterday's tour.

Lock said he was taken a bit by surprise how much the young primary school students knew about rugby and the Hurricanes.

"Gonville organised a bit of a quiz during out visit and the kids knew most of the asnwers, although they are a strong rugby school," Lock said yesterday.

"The Mosston kids knew a bit too and I was quite surprised by how many played tackle rugby there. They do play rippa rugby as well."

Aimee Overidge from Mosston School said the kids loved it.

"We got a call from the union asking if we wanted to be part of the tour and we immediately said yes. I don't think they realised just how heavy it was, though," she said.