Itinerary Specially Prepared for

ITALIAN RUGBY TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND

‘Soak it Up’ 100% Pure New Zealand Rugby Tour

Total Rugby is a dedicated specialist inbound rugby tour company. The company has
been operating since 2003 and host on average 14 groups per season. Rugby is more
than just a game in New Zealand. Total Rugby understands and knows the rugby culture
here and is best placed to incorporate this into their rugby tour itineraries.

Based in Christchurch, Total Rugby promotes all New Zealand destinations.

Total Rugby is endorsed by Steve Hansen (current All Black coach), and twice winning
RWC All Black captain, Richie McCaw.

Our motto is: ‘Committed to Excellence’.

ITINERARY PREVIEW
This is not a full and detailed itinerary. It is the step between the itinerary overview and
the full itinerary. It contains information that describes all activities in some detail. It
does not contain personnel for the guest breakfast or coaching sessions. These will be
added closer to the arrival time. It does not include timings and meal arrangements.
These will be added approximately two months before arrival.

Information to include in the full and detailed itinerary:

meal arrangements / full accomodation details / weather / grounds / daylight hours /
game protocols / specific rule changes / aftermatch arrangements / first aid / voucher
arrangements / laundry / security / liaison / equipment / emergency and risk
management

DAY 1

Arrive into “rugby mad” Christchurch. You will be welcomed by Total Rugby staff.

Christchurch is a garden city on the

east coast of New Zealand’s South
Island, set on the Canterbury Plains.
Flat-bottomed punts glide on the Avon
River, which runs through the city
centre. On its banks are cycling paths,
the green expanse of Hagley Park and
the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Check in to your Christchurch hotel

The rest of today is time to settle in.

DAY 2

Training session at local grounds this morning with your own coaching staff.

This after enjoy a coach tour of Christchurch city

highlights. You will see a city in recovery
following the earthquakes that rocked the
Canterbury region during 2011 and 2012.Most
of the demolition of damaged buildings is now
completed and the rebuild is underway. The cost
of the rebuild is currently estimated at more
than NZ$40 billion!!

This evening is a celebration of New Zealand

culture. Ko Tane is a living Maori Village located at Willowbank
Wildlife Reserve. Here Maori culture and conservation meet to
give a glimpse into the way of the life of the South Island Ngai
Tahu Maori people before the arrival of the Europeans. Experience
the thrill of the wero, the traditional challenge to visits. Join in the
laughter as you take part in a performance of the haka or the poi
dance and be entertained by the songs and games performed by
the kapa haka group. Take a guided tour and get close to kiwi,
kea and other native species. Enjoy a hang dinner included in the
evening’s entertainment.

DAY 3
This morning you will be joined for breakfast by a celebrity
New Zealand rugby player. Learn about the life of a
professional rugby player over breakfast, there will be an
opportunity for photographs and autographs.

Then head to Rugby Park, home of the Crusaders to enjoy a

Crusaders Experience​​. Having won the Super Rugby title 9
times since the competition started the Crusaders are the
most successful Super Rugby franchise. Your experience will
give you an insight into this franchise to understand a bit about
the culture, their secrets to success. Watch them train, view
their state of the art facilities and listen to staff to find out about
some of the technology behind this team.

This afternoon spend two hours with elite local coaches for
your first Total Rugby Training. This session will be customized
to your requirements.

DAY 4

Today you will visit a local high school and experience school life New Zealand
style

MATCH ONE
This afternoon you will play your first match against a New
Zealand team and likely face your first haka. This will be an
experience in itself. The haka is a traditional Maori challenge
that our All Blacks perform at the start of each match. Nearly
all First XV’s in New Zealand have their own version of the
haka.
 The match will be followed by an after match function

DAY 5

Your second Total Rugby Training 2 hour session will take place
this morning.

Take the rest of today off rugby as you head out to enjoy two
local attractions

First stop and it’s time to get cold with a visit to the
International Antarctic Centre. Established in 1992, the
Antarctic Attraction is located in the heart of a working
Antarctic campus at Christchurch International Airport. Ride
the Hagglund all terrain vehicle. Sit back, hold on and
experience travelling across rough terrain in this unique and
exciting machine This ride is the only one of its type in the
world!! Watch the 4D movie and the little blue penguins
being fed then head into the snow and ice experience and
survive an Antarctic storm..

Then head to New Zealand’s only clay base go kart track,

Action Karts Indoor Raceway for some high speed fun on
the race track.

DAY 6

Depart Christchurch this morning and head south through

the agricultural lands of the Canterbury Plains to Lake
Tekapo.

Time to get your cameras out –Tekapo is​ ​a stunning

must-see destination with a brilliant turquoise blue lake
surrounded by the Mackenzie basin mountains.

After a break at Lake Tekapo continue your journey to Mt

Cook/Aoraki Village where you will spend tonight. Under
the highest mountain in New Zealand, the Aoraki/Mount
Cook alpine village sits amongst sky-scraping peaks,
phenomenal glaciers and permanent snow

You may wish to include a guided walk in your itinerary or

a visit to the Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre which
includes a museum, 3D movie theatre and digital dome planetarium.

Accommodation at a local lodge for tonight

DAY 7

Free time this morning to enjoy the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park area. Then
depart for the port town of Timaru. Time for a light training run when you arrive
in Timaru.

Tonight you will experience some genuine New Zealand hospitality as you spend
the night with local families.
DAY 8

Farming plays a vital part in the New

Zealand economy, and much of the country
is agricultural farmland. No trip to New
Zealand is complete without seeing how a
New Zealand farm operates. Spend this
morning visiting a working dairy, beef or
sheep farm. You may have an opportunity to
watch sheep shearing, deer and goat
farming, sheep dogs working, milk a cow,
feed lambs, or go on an interactive tour of a
farm

MATCH TWO
Your second tour match will be played this afternoon. It will be followed by
an after match function

Hotel accommodation overnight

DAY 9

Depart Timaru this morning and travel north to the thermal village of Hanmer
Springs for an overnight stay. Your journey will take you through the wineries of
the Waipara district.

Spend time this afternoon at the world

famous hot pools at Hanmer Springs
Thermal Reserve. Set in a
breathtaking natural landscape,
surrounded by forests and mountains,
the award-winning Thermal Pools
offers visitors a wide range of
experiences, from soothing indulgence
to exciting family fun. The
Thermal Pools & Spa includes nine
open-air thermal pools, three sulphur pools and two waterslides.

This evening explore the village, perhaps walk to the top of Conical Hill to take in
the views

Overnight stay at local backpackers lodge.

DAY 10

Depart Hanmer, you will stop just south of Hanmer Springs at

Thrillseekers base for a New
Zealand jet boat experience. The jet
boat was invented here in New
Zealand by William Hamilton in
1954 a Jet the entire length of the
spectacular Waiau Gorge. Following the
contours of the steep canyon walls
where possible, elbows in as you pass
within centimetres of rugged rocks and cliff faces. Take in the magnificent
scenery, then ….hold on while you experience the famous Hamilton jet spin
 Your coach will follow the Inland Road to the seaside
township of Kaikoura. Time for a sightseeing stop - the seal
colony is a must. Don’t go too close - the seals are wild
animals!!

Continue on north to the town of Blenheim where you will

spend the next two nights at a local holiday park.

DAY 11

Free time this morning, then match preparation.

MATCH THREE
Your third tour match will be played in Blenheim today and will be followed by an
after match function

This evening visit the local aquatic centre for a pool recovery session

DAY 12

Your coach will take you the short drive to

Picton where you will farewell the South
Island and board the Interislander Ferry for
the 3 hour journey to Wellington. This is
regarded as one of the most beautiful ferry
journeys in the world and one of
New Zealand's most iconic tourism
experiences.

Arrive into Wellington. The

capital city of New Zealand,
Wellington has one of the best
shopping and night-life vibes in
the country

This afternoon visit New

Zealand Rugby Headquarters. There is a range of rugby
memorabilia and silverware on display. A member of the
staff will show the group around and answer any
questions.

Hotel/hostel accommodation for your final 3 nights

DAY 13

A training session at local grounds is planned for this morning

This afternoon travel out to Porirua to Adrenalin Forest

for some team building fun in the trees.
There are 7 great courses which progress you into the
trees. Starting from 1m off the ground up to 31m in the
canopy. Each course has a range of various challenges
that build in height and difficulty as you progress.
DAY 14

Free time this morning. We recommend a walk along the

waterfront to Te Papa, New Zealand’s most visited
museum and a national treasure. Admission is free, some
optional attractions inside have a charge which is payable
direct

Time permitting you may wish to ride the Wellington cable car. This is a
Wellington icon and a step back in time. It is located within easy walking
distance. T
​ ickets can be purchased at the
booking office.

MATCH FOUR
Your final tour match will be played this
afternoon, followed by an after match
function

DAY 15

Today we farewell you prior to your coach departure for Wellington International
Airport to begin your journey home

Your Tour Arrangements Terminate

We wish you a safe journey home