'Inside Out' was on the sideline filming the deciding match of the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship played in Wellington over Easter weekend. The Northern team played the Southern side to win the Championship.
The Northern Blues had plenty to prove, not only the chance to win the Championship, but also to cement a place in the New Zealand Deaf team that will be touring Japan and Wales in November 1998.
The conditions were perfect for the selectors to see the available talent.
This was the first overseas representative tour undertaken by the New Zealand Deaf Rugby Union. A tour that provides the chosen few a great opportunity to experience the world outside New Zealand.
By 18 – 14 the Northern Blues won the National Deaf Rugby Tournament and they're revelling in it! The Shield is theirs, but at the after-match function in the Wellington Deaf Society clubrooms there are other things to think about - the presentations to the Player of the Day, and the announcement of the touring team. One by one, the players come forward to the encouragement of the crowd!
Easter Weekend scores that weekend:
- Southern Zone (5) - Central Zone (0)
- Northern Zone (19) - Central Zone (13)
- Northern Zone (18) - Southern Zone (14)
The Most Valuable Player went to Awhi Phillips (Southern).
