Mixed-Team Matches Mark Historic India-NZ Rugby Event

A historic Under-20 rugby series between India and New Zealand came to a close in Rajgir, Bihar, on Tuesday, with a highlight that had not been seen before: mixed-team matches featuring players from both countries.

The series, staged at the Rajgir Sports Complex, was organised under the 'Hundred Years of Unity Through Sport' initiative. It celebrates a century of sporting ties between the two nations.

For the first time, two mixed-team matches were played, bringing together national-level players from India and New Zealand on the same side. The fixtures were part of four closely contested Rugby Sevens matches that also formed the core of the programme.

The event also featured joint training sessions and cultural interactions, giving young athletes from both sides a platform to connect, learn from one another and share experiences beyond the field.

New Zealand sent its Under-20 men's team 'Tama Toa' and its Under-20 women's team 'Hine Toa', comprising 24 young Maori players. The tour allowed them to explore Indian culture while sharing their own traditions and outlook with Indian teammates.

Attendees at the closing ceremony included Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse, Bihar's Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shreyasi Singh, New Zealand's Acting High Commissioner Matt Ayers, Sanjay Mayukh, President of the Bihar Rugby Football Association, and Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India.

Organisers described the series as a clear example of how sport can break down barriers and foster lasting friendship between nations.