However, in Auckland yesterday, a group of 9 and 10-year-olds from Arrowtown School, who represented Wales in the 2011 Rippa World Cup, could not help but be a little disappointed their Northland counterparts, from Whau Valley Primary School and representing the All Blacks, beat them in the final.
Arrowtown booked its place in the final yesterday morning with a 20-5 win over Romania, represented by Riverdale Primary School (Manawatu), with the "Welsh" fast style of play dominating the nippy Romanians.
New Zealand's finals berth was secured after running in nine tries to two over Australia, represented by Bay of Plenty's Maungatapua Primary School in the other semifinal.
Welsh coach Paul Winder, a teacher at Arrowtown School, said he was proud of his team.
"We were over the moon to make it to the quarters [yesterday] morning and to get all the way to the final was just great.
"The kids have had an awesome time at the tournament and should all be very proud of themselves."
The mixed team of nine has been training twice a week for the past couple of months, having won the Queenstown, Central Otago and Otago qualifying tournaments before the tournament proper, which involved 20 teams from throughout New Zealand.
Mr Winder told the Otago Daily Times yesterday afternoon the children were "absolutely stoked".
"They're exhausted, but they're stoked."
The Rippa World Cup is a special tournament played with New Zealand schools representing the 20 nations playing in next month's RWC 2011.
Rippa Rugby is a popular, safe, non-contact form of rugby aimed at primary school children where, instead of tackling, players rip velcro-fastened tags off each other's waists.
