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A desire to impress at the Delhi Commonwealth Games has attracted the Indian National Rugby Sevens squad to New Zealand.

Twenty-three players are spending ten days receiving specialist coaching from former New Zealand Sevens greats Craig de Goldi, Christian Cullen and Karl te Nana, as well as Murray Mexted and his staff, at the International Rugby Academy New Zealand (IRANZ) in Palmerston North.

IRANZ seeks to provide a 'fast track' and independent high performance avenue for promising players and coaches from around the world.

IRANZ has expanded from its New Zealand base to South Africa and the United States of America and has had players and coaches sent to its courses from nearly 30 nations.

Mexted, a former All Black and now colourful TV Commentator, is founder and Managing Director of the IRANZ.

Usaia Biumaiwai, the national coach of India, says the training camp is invaluable with Delhi 2010 a little over six months away on October 5-6.

“We are the host of the Commonwealth Games and we want to prepare a very good team for the rugby competition, so we are taking every opportunity to learn from the best in the world,” said the expat Fijian who has been with Rugby India since 2007. “We played a tournament in Fiji last weekend and are very pleased to be in New Zealand to learn more.”

India lost all four matches at the Marist Sevens, which featured the best club teams in Fiji, but Biumaiwai was pleased with the progress.

“I'm glad that my players have showed improvement in all their matches, especially in their support play and defence patterns,” he said from the Sport and Rugby Institute. “Tournaments in Fiji are always tough and we have plenty to build on here in New Zealand.

Huge growth in India

“Rugby in India is experiencing huge growth, particularly in schools, as a result of Delhi 2010 and the decision to include Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games in 2016.”

Biumaiwai says latest figures show there are 17,000 registered players across India.

“Everyone knows New Zealand is a top rugby playing nation and to visit here and get the hang of the sporting culture is nothing less than a dream come true,” added Indian captain Nasser Hussain.

“Having coaching from Craig de Goldi, Karl te Nana and Christian Cullen along with match practice, match analysis and advice on strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology, is sure to be of great benefit later in the year.”

Mexted, who founded IRANZ ten years ago, explains that Rugby Sevens is experiencing rapid expansion.

“The growth is expected to be phenomenal as both established and developing nations embrace the opportunity to win an Olympic medal in 2016,” he said. “The Olympics will deliver a new profile for rugby – new audiences, new commercial opportunities and perhaps new giants of the game. With our history of success in New Zealand we are very keen to help others embrace the fast and exciting game of Rugby Sevens.”

Mexted says plans are underway for overseas expansion.

“We already have a number of elite and advanced courses taking place at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado in July and August,” said Mexted. “Adding a Rugby Sevens course will help those players and coaches from Central America, South America and the Caribbean, as well as North America itself.

“Meanwhile, more than 20 nations, including India, are now competing on the Asian Sevens circuit, so we are looking forward to assisting their preparations and their quest for Olympic gold.”

India will include cultural activity such a marae visit in the Hawke’s Bay at the end of their training camp before heading home on March 24.