NEW ZEALAND: RUGBY UNION - Canada laps up adulation from young supporters at Rugby World Cup

Record ID: 1531008

  • Title: NEW ZEALAND: RUGBY UNION - Canada laps up adulation from young supporters at Rugby World Cup
  • Date: 14th September 2011
  • Summary: WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND (SEPTEMBER 13, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF KAMO PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOOL CHILDREN ASKING QUESTIONS CANADA FLAG ON TRACKSUIT SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SMALL CANADIAN FLAGS PLAYERS ANSWERING QUESTIONS SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 29th September 2011 02:28
  • Keywords:
  • Location: New Zealand, New Zealand
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVAPWT1M3ZRTVZWHGVYOKZOFAB3
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Canada's scrumhalf Jamie MacKenzie admitted on Tuesday (September 13) that the people of New Zealand's far north are making his Rugby World Cup squad "feel like superstars".
    Some of the team took some time out away from the training pitch to visit the children of Kamo Primary School in Whangarei.
    The Canadian team is in the city ahead of their opening pool A match against Tonga at Northland Events Centre on Wednesday (September 14).
    The city is hosting Tonga and Japan, as well as Canada. All three nations boast the colour red.
    Local authorities have been encouraging the residents to don the colour in support of the visiting teams.
    MacKenzie said they were enjoying the adulation from the region.
    "You're so far from home so it's nice that the region has kind of adopted us as their team. It feels like we've got a good support base here. Everyone's really behind us, they're all cheering for us, all the kids in there were telling us they want us to beat Tonga. I know that's a little "iffy" because Tonga's another team that they're also hosting up here, but we enjoy it, definitely," he said.
    The team took questions from an enthusiastic group of school kids, who waved the Canadian flags in recognition of Whangarei's "Paint it Red" campaign.
    "Yeah for sure, it's good to get out and see all the kids, they're the ones that love the sport. They love seeing us, makes us feel like superstars so it's definitely a good time to be around here," MacKenzie added.
    Canada is in a tough pool A which also features New Zealand, France and Japan.
    They are not expected to feature in the knockout stages so are enjoying the chance to spread the message of the World Cup to all parts of the country.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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