 |
| The
squad take heed
from the wise words
of Coach Brett Robinson
and Captain, Fraser
Gemmell |
|
The
first full day in Japan
was spent working hard
for the upcoming match
against Waseda University
on Sunday. The day revolved
around two training sessions,
involving mostly light
contact, although practice
on the fringe defense
'double hit' drill was
performed with gusto,
even if there was a dearth
of bag men volunteering
to take a beating. |
 |
| Richard
Woods relishes the
chance to practice
his 'George Smith
Special Move' in
training |
|
In
the afternoon the 22
players involved for
the match against Waseeda
were announced, and
a team run through was
performed.
However,
much of the afternoon
was then taken up by
the movement of the
tour party to their
new hotel in Tokyo,
the Keio Plaza Hotel,
which will be their
base for the remainder
of the tour. On the
way to Tokyo, much amusement
was provided by people
employed in their new
'Tour Roles', so keenly
dished out by the slightly
dubious duo of Oliver
Julyan and Adam Russell.
These included such
malicious jobs as 'Tour
Ambassador', the player
who has to spend all
time not in training
kit, in the tour Number
One's of blazer, shirt
and tie, and particularly
hot and itchy Marks
and Spencer's grey slacks.
David Jenkins has been
the keen recipient of
this role and has so
far been an exemplary
ambassador for the party,
being immaculately turned
out at all times. He
is hoping for a reprieve
from his duties within
the next few days, subject
to his good behaviour
and consistent diplomacy
with our Japanese hosts...
Robert
Sugden performed well
on the journey to Tokyo,
with a truly inspired
speech on the history
and heritage of the
areas through which
the party were being
taken. Even his description
of the well laid Japanese
asphalt was considered
both interesting and
amusing.
|
 |
| The
traditional 'trophy
tug of war' match
looked like it might
be a slightly one
sided contest in
Oxford's favour
this year. |
|
The
Blues arrived in Tokyo
to a reception at the
British Embassy. Some
of the Japan veterans
with in the squad were
slightly disappointed
by the absence of some
of the hostesses who
appeared at the 2000
embassy reception, but
this was more than made
up for by the excellent
hospitality displayed
this year.
A
number of speeches were
made, including one
from a suspiciously
ex-Cambridge member
of the British Embassy.
Steve
Hill took great pleasure
in awarding a Vincent's
Club Life Membership
and special OURFC plaque
to Shigeru 'Shiggy'
Konno to commemorate
the 50th anniversary
of the 1952 OURFC visit
to Japan. This tour
was significant as it
was the first sporting
tour from any country
to visit Japan following
the end of World War
II. Shiggy acted as
the Liaison Officer
for the Japanese RFU
and his support of the
OURFC on our subsequent
visits has been fundamental
to their success. We
look forward to seeing
him in Oxford soon.
|
32.gif){kind=small}