While Frank and the boys were celebrating their undefeated tour of the UK, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Rugby League team had just touched down at Heathrow for a 3 week tour of England and France.  The major objective of the tour was to reclaim the trophy lost to the Royal Air Force (UK) when they toured NZ in 1997.  4 games were played in England, with the final game being the test match, and 1 game in Toulouse France.  In the 5 matches played  the team won 4 and lost 1.  The loss was against the French Army in its final game.  Although losing this final game was disappointing , the tour was considered a major success, as its primary objective of defeating the Royal Air Force was achieved.   

The touring party was 32 strong and was headed by tour manager Greg Pryce, 26 players and 6 officials. All the players and officials were selected from bases throughout New Zealand.  Prior to departure a 2 day training camp was held in Auckland. From here it was a 24 hour flight to London.  The first game was played 2 days after arrival in London.  This game was played in the University County of Oxfordshire.  It was our mid week team that provided us with our first win 40-14.  The game was played at pace which is what we wanted in order to shake off the jet lag.   We celebrated hard as we got our first game under our belt.  A great place to visit, and one which Rugby League is growing.   2 days later it was the turn of the shadow test team against the British Army development side.  This game was played in Uxbridge London on a Friday afternoon.  Here we recorded our second win 34-14.  To ensure the players were given a solid work out, minimal changes were made during the game.  In fact this game proved to e the ideal hit out before the test match 7 days latter. With the coach satisfied with the weeks result, the team was given the weekend off to see the sights of London. 

Following a week of the sights and sounds of Oxford and London it was up to the North of England to the town of York, real Rugby League country.  Again our midweek team provided us with a win.  Against the mighty Yorkshire men we took the game 38-12.  In typical North England fashion, the team celebrated well with our hosts.  The trip up north was special as we found the people from the north were very hospitable and friendly.  From York it was back to London via Blackpool for our test match, our main game.
The test match game proved to be our toughest game of the tour.  Taking an early 10 nil lead we thought we were cruising, however the English clawed there way back to lock the score up at 10-10.  At this stage the game could have gone any way.  With ten minutes remaining a haka cry was called from the sideline.  This haka provided us the inspiration to score 2 late tries and come out winners 18-10.  12 months of planning had gone into this game, and boy was it worth every cent.  A quote from the tour manager was 'if we had lost this game the Coach and I would probably find ourselves posted to Antarctica for 12 months on return to NZ".  As expected we celebrated hard into the night with our band of loyal supporters.  Again the team had the weekend off in London and enjoyed the many sights, in particular the "church" on the Sunday.

With a 4 win record it was off to France with our final game against the French Army in Toulouse.  With the injuries mounting and a plague of the flu running through the team, the playing squad was down to the bare 17.  Again we were locked up at 24 all with 8 minutes to go, however it was the French who scored 2 converted late tries to take the game 36-24.  Not offering any excuses the French deserved there win in the end.  This French leg was special in that it provided us with a view of a different culture.  It also gave us an insight of the hardworking grass roots people who are trying to lift their game back to where it once was.       

Overall the tour was a major success in all aspects, in particular for the advancement of our game within the Armed Forces.  The hospitality shown to us by both the British and French was outstanding.  The RNZAF Rugby League Association wishes to thank its major sponsors Tip Top, Aviaal Aviation, Singapore Aerospace, Kaman Aerospace, Serco , Rangitikei Tavern, Albion Hotel and the Armed Forces Canteen Service for their support.  The team would also like to thank our Chief of Staff for his support of the tour, and all the loyal supporters that listened out on radio sport 1332 AM for our live phoned in reports.  A special mention to Greg Pryce our tour manager and organiser of the tour, "thanks mate".