BATHURST Bulldogs juniors were given a rare opportunity to face international opposition as they played host to a visiting Japanese school side on Wednesday night.

The Kawanishi Rugby School juniors took the field against the Bulldogs’ under 11s in a match that has only pops up on the calendar every two years.

The Bulldogs took out the match four tries to one.

Bathurst Junior Rugby Club president Phillip Newton said the match was a great learning experience for both teams.

“Traditionally their teams aren’t big in stature, but they boast great speed in most positions, and they like to play open and running rugby” he said. 

“They were very skilled, their passing was amazing for 11-year-olds. The commitment that they had to the breakdown was exceptional. Their play certainly taught our boys a few things.

“The last couple of sides they’ve had out have been a bit bigger. Our players were bigger this time and at a junior level that helps a lot, so I’m sure our more physical game taught them something as well. Everyone out there looked like they were having a great time.”

The Kawanishi school journeys to Bathurst every two years in a tour run from Lindfield Rugby Club on Sydney’s North Shore, also allowing the Japanese juniors sightseeing opportunities outside of rugby union.

The Kawanishi players were billeted out to local families in the lead up to the match, promoting the strengthening of ties between the hosts and their Japanese visitors.

The match was a strong display of culture from both countries with the national anthems played prior to the game.

“I was saying to [Bulldogs coach] Shane Cantrill that we’ve both played football for many years and not once in our lives have we ever had the opportunity to be out on the field singing our national anthem. That was an amazing moment for these kids,” Newton said.

Newton is hoping that next year could see the club travel to Kawanishi’s turf for a pre-season tour.

“It would be great but we’d have to do a lot of fundraising to get over there,” he said.

“We’re really starting to build strong relations with the school and perhaps trying to do something around March would be great.”