India's Under-20 women's rugby team has recorded a memorable 17–0 victory over a visiting Māori side from New Zealand during a bilateral rugby sevens series in the eastern state of Bihar.
The Indian women kept their opponents scoreless in a match that formed part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between India and New Zealand.
The series, held from October 23rd to 28th at the Rajgir Sports Complex, brought specially selected Māori Under-20 rugby sevens teams to India for a sporting and cultural exchange.
The visiting women's team, Hine Toa, and men's team, Tama Toa, comprised 24 young Māori players selected from across New Zealand.
India led 12–0 at halftime in the women's encounter on Tuesday before adding another five points after the break to complete the victory.
The result was particularly notable given New Zealand's international reputation as a rugby powerhouse.
The visiting side was not New Zealand's regular national Under-20 women's team, but a specially-assembled Māori invitational squad representing the country's Indigenous rugby community.
While the Indian women celebrated their victory, the New Zealand visitors claimed the honours in the men's contest, with Tama Toa defeating India's Under-20 men 32–0.
According to New Zealand Rugby, the 24 players were accompanied by six management staff, with the tour funded by New Zealand's foreign ministry.
Before leaving New Zealand on October 21st, delegation leader Manu Albert said the visit was about more than winning matches.
He acknowledged the matches would have a competitive element, while emphasising the opportunity to help develop India's young players and coaches.
The sporting exchange also brought Māori culture to Bihar, with the visitors performing a haka at the Rajgir Sports Complex.
Source: awaaz.co.nz
