近日，日本学校 rugby 团队在世界青少年锦标赛中展现了令人瞩目的实力，给新西兰 Hamilton Boys High First XV rugby 面具了重要启示。

**日本 school teams dominate world youth rugby tournament**

In a recent World Youth Rugby Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, school teams from around the globe showcased their growing talent and skill. The competition saw 16 teams from different countries battle it out, with Japanese schools emerging as the strongest.

**Hamilton Boys High First XV's struggles against tougher Japanese competition**

New Zealand's Hamilton Boys High First XV rugby coach Cam Moorby reflected on his team's recent performance in the tournament. He noted that the Japanese teams demonstrated a higher level of play compared to previous editions he attended as either a player or coach.

"Last year, we finished first in our pool after winning all four matches," Moorby said. "This year, however, it was a completely different story."

The Hamilton Boys High First XV lost their opening match against Gose Industrial High School, which itself narrowly missed out on top-four finishers. Despite this setback, Moorby emphasized that the experience gained from the tournament will be invaluable for his team's upcoming Super 8 and Moascar Cup campaigns.

**Key takeaways from Japanese school teams' performance**

Moorby highlighted several standout features of the Japanese teams:

1. **Discipline and strength in contact areas:** Their forward packs were noted for their discipline and physicality, making them formidable opponents.
2. **Accuracy in set pieces:** The Japanese teams had a high level of accuracy in their set pieces, which made them difficult to defend against.
3. **Speed and power in breakdowns:** Their speed and strength in the breakdown area added to their overall threat.
4. **Kicking game:** The ability of their accurate nines and 10s to punish teams with poor kicking skills was a significant factor in their success.

**Other notable performances**

While the Japanese teams dominated, other leading non-Japanese schools also faced challenges:

- Fiji's Ratu Kadavelevu finished seventh.
- Australia's Barker College finished eighth.
- England's SGS Filton College finished tenth.

Moorby expressed disappointment with his team's second-round loss to Gose, but he emphasized that the experience gained from this tournament will be crucial for their future campaigns. The team is now focused on preparing for their home game against New Plymouth Boys' High in June.

**The journey so far**

This was a significant two-week trip for Hamilton Boys High, which included stops at Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Moorby praised the valuable life experiences gained from this international exposure and highlighted the strong team bond formed during the tour.

"Such a tour together has allowed us to gain invaluable experience off the field," Moorby said. "We are extremely grateful and privileged for this opportunity."

**Looking ahead**

With the Super 8 and Moascar Cup campaigns just around the corner, Moorby expressed optimism about his team's potential to improve based on their experiences in Japan.

"Going forward, we're looking forward to returning home and putting what we've learned into practice," he said.

Hamilton Boys High will also be excited to host their families for the upcoming matches and to showcase their hard-won progress against future opponents.