Having been ‘encouraged’ by the Chief of the New Zealand Army at the 2024 International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC) to send an Army team to play against the NZ Army, the Army Rugby Union Men’s tour planning committee needed no second invitation.
With Fiji a mere four hour flight away, it was decided to add a fixture against the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. It was to be the first time the full Army Men’s team had toured this country.
And if you’re going to visit NZ and Fiji, you might as well include Australia. So, the ambitious stage was set – three fixtures in three countries over three weeks.
The touring party squad selection was tough, but every one of the 26 players that made the tour was capped. That playing squad was augmented by a strong management, coaching and medical team of 12.
Singapore (2-4 Jul 25)
Having rendezvoused at Pirbright Camp on the 30th of June, the touring squad made its way to Heathrow for a flight to Singapore. Previous experience suggested a two-day layover in Singapore would reduce the effects of jetlag and tiredness, maximizing preparation for the first fixture.
After a 13 hour flight the team touched down in Singapore. In addition to mobility and pool sessions, the squad made the most of the sights of Singapore visiting Sentosa Island, the Supertree Observatory as well as getting together to watch the Lions game over a team Dinner.
A selection of the management and coaching staff were invited to the British Chamber of Commerce sponsored Charity Dinner on behalf of the Matt Hampson Trust. The dinner was supported by Geordan Murphy and Dan Hipkiss and included an auction where a signed Army Rugby Tour Match Shirt raised $2750, an impressive figure for a great cause.
New Zealand (5-11 Jul 25)
After the stop in Singapore the team landed in Auckland, New Zealand. Arrival in NZ as a heartland of Rugby did not disappoint and within the first 24 hours the team had their first training run out, a relief to get ball in hand! They also took the chance to head into Auckland and watch the All Blacks vs France as well as a Lions match in one of the many Auckland bars.
A short hop from Auckland to Wellington saw the team start to knuckle down in preparation for their match against the NZ Army. Through this week they trained in the NZCIS facility, a state-of-the-art facility with both indoor and outdoor pitches, as well as a world class recovery suite. They were accompanied in the facility by the All Blacks Rugby team, who they would bump into a number of times over the coming days.
Moving up to Palmerston North for their fixture with the NZ Army and the squad were greeted with a warm Māori welcome. This included exchanges of words in the Māori tongue as well as the Waiata, a song that is sung by the NZ Army side. On completion of this the teams warmed up and it was time to face the Haka, this was an amazing experience for all involved, as the NZ Army side were supported in their Haka by roughly 100 soldiers and locals. A dramatic lay down of the challenge ahead for the British Army side.
It was a thrilling opener to their Southern Hemisphere fixtures, the British Army edged out the Royal New Zealand Army (RNZA) 45–38 in a high-intensity encounter at the Manuwatu Stadium.
The first half saw blistering early exchanges, with both sides matching each other blow for blow. Sentiki Nayalo, a standout performer for the British side crossing for 2 tries in the first half. A further 5 tries and handful of kicks gave a buffer for the British Army side. However, the tempo didn’t drop, with the British Army two men down due to yellow cards, the RNZA launched a spirited comeback.
In a game that went on for over 90 dramatic minutes the British Army defended impressively to secure their first win of the tour.
Fiji (11-16 Jul 25)
Next up was the trip to Fiji, a highly anticipated leg of the tour. With 8 Fijian members of the squad this was a chance to get back on home soil for them, and with families waiting in the airport to greet players on arrival it made for an emotional day for many.
For Coach Junior Bulumakau it was his first return to Fiji in 21 years! The greeting at the airport was matched by the greeting at the hotel, where the team were sung to and presented with shell necklaces.
However, this was no time to sit back as the team had their fixture against the formidable RFMF the very next day! Only 3 days after the long game with the RNZA.
After a long coach journey the next morning the team arrived at the HSF International Stadium in Suva, ready to play the curtain raiser to the Scotland vs Fiji international fixture later that afternoon.
This historic fixture marked the British Army Senior Men’s first rugby fixture in Fiji, and the match didn’t disappoint, offering physicality, flair and pride in equal measure. The match kicked off at a blistering and physical pace with the Fijian crowd roaring behind the RFMF side.
True to the Fijian style, RFMF played expansive rugby from the outset, offloading at will and stretching the British defence wide. Their efforts were rewarded with an early try under the posts after sustained pressure from the forwards and slick handling out wide, this was quickly matched with Vilisoni Tabuatamata touching down in the corner.
After a few back and forth scores in the first quarter, the RFMF found their rhythm and were ruthlessly efficient throughout the second quarter giving them a dominant lead at the halftime point. The second half saw the British Army fight back. Scoring 3 tries to the RFMF’s 1, however it was too little too late, and the final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading RFMF 50–31 British Army, a fittingly emphatic win for the home side.
Post match the players settled down to watch Fiji’s victory over Scotland, with the Army players getting onto the pitch afterwards to mix among the celebrations.
A successful day for Fiji Rugby in a bubbling Suva stadium. The RFMF invited the Army touring squad to a cava ceremony later that evening, which was an amazing experience rich in Fiji culture and heritage.
For the remainder of the time in Fiji the team took the opportunity to explore this beautiful country. For the guys that were born here it was an opportunity to visit home and see family. Many of the British players were invited to villages and family homes immersing themselves in the culture. The players also made the most of their time, getting out snorkelling, fishing, sailing and surfing as well as visiting the famous Mud Baths and venturing into Nadi town.
Australia (16-21 Jul 25)
Australia was up next and after a brief 4 hour flight the squad touched down in Brisbane. They drove straight into preparation for their match against the Australian Defence Force Barbarians, with a first training session that afternoon.
Thursday and Friday saw the team busy, both in the pool recovering and out on the training pitch as well as at the iconic Ballymore stadium (home of the Queensland Reds). Despite the busy schedule the team managed to find time to visit the Suncorp Stadium to watch an NRL Rugby league game.
Saturday saw the team arrive at Wests Rugby Club, where they were brilliantly hosted with a number of red and gold shirts building up around the pitch to watch the game. Les Kiss, (Head Coach for the Queensland Reds and the next Wallabies Head Coach) popped into the Army changing room pre-game to share a few words.
The game turned into a high scoring thriller, with three quick tries for the Army before the ADF Barbarians put their first points on the board. A flowing second half saw a number of tries scored for both sides, with the final score a convincing 56- 24 win for the British Army.
Post game there was an exchange of photos and shirts between the two military teams. A short train ride later and the team were in and around the Suncorp stadium and the privilege of watching the Lions v Australia First Test, a highlight for many on the tour.
Having soaked up the atmosphere of 40,000 Lions fans in Brisbane the team concluded its unbelievable three weeks with a final day end of tour dinner and awards. It also provided the opportunity to say thank you and farewell to Col Graham Taylor as Director of Rugby.
On the long flight back from Brisbane to Singapore, and then the even longer flight from Singapore to Heathrow, there was plenty of time to reflect. This suitably ambitious tour delivered way above expectations. Memories were made that will last a lifetime. It would not have been possible without our principal sponsors and sincere thanks go to Vodafone, BMS Group, the Army Sports Lottery and Army Rugby Union for their generous funding support.
Written by – Captain Sebastian Jones
