Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Japanese Rugby Team

Belfast is proudly hosting the IRB Under 19 Rugby World Championships at the moment. Consequently, you can hardly leave home without bumping into lots of young foreigners in Canterbury tracksuits!

Such was our experience today when we went to our local post office for a second class stamp; the shop was invaded by four six foot something Japanese boys! One of them spotted Mini Me in his Ulster rugby shirt and started to whistle and wave at him. Mini Me sort of waved back, but was too embarrassed to speak, so, business at the counter done, we went over to say 'hello'.

Unfortunately, none of the Japanese boys seemed to speak English, so communication was difficult. I did remember being taught to count to 10 in Japanese at one of those awful courses where everyone has to stand up and make fools of themselves in front of everyone else by doing the 'actions', but the only word I could remember was 'itchy-knee' and I didn't want to insult the boy who was obviously a winger by calling him the number of the hooker!

So, with all else failing, we reverted to the time tested method of communicating with foreigners - say it loud and say it slow.

Anyway, I think they got the message. Well, they definately got some kind of message because they followed us out of the shop and all the way to the car!

They've not had the best of campaigns to date (beaten 41-8 by Argentina and 107-6 by the Baby Blacks) but we're sure they will do very well when they are up against Samoa on Friday.

Good Luck Japan!

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