Final wedding photo

In a surprising end to our tour, elder statesman on tour, Ted Bruce was asked to "give away" the bride at the wedding of Wendy Hyslop and David which was held at Sonaisalo on the last day of our tour. Newport Rugby Club provided the photographers, videographers, master of ceremonies and of course the Newport rentacrowd. My favourite was Nigel Leck who was helping the bride with her makeup and dress. We wish Wendy and David all the best for their honeymoon, can they send Ted back tho'.

Newport boys to Newport men

Dylan Matthes

Ted whispers to Wendy " I am actually already married"

I do...

Sonaisali is an incredibly romantic island where the fragrant frangapani sparks romance and love in all of us.

Ted Bruce, Newport rugby legand, and Wendy Hislop created rugby tour history today, witnessed by the entire Newport touring party. It must be said that there was not a dry eye in the house with many a tear shed over this blossoming, everlasting relationship being created before our eyes.

Ted looked wonderful in his traditional Fijian Sulu (skirt) and Wendy glowed with the radiance of the pacific pearls embroidered on her dress.

Ted, on seeing Wendy, said "I am truly honoured".

Sonaisali renames "the rock" in honour of Newport

The general manager of the Sonaisali resort, John Grocock, announced on the last night of the tour that the rock in the centre of the resort pool was being named "Newport Rock" in honour of the 2009 tour.

The entertainment that the players gave to the other guests and the resort staff during a week of physically challenging each other for ownership of the rock was quite a sight.

Nigel Leck deserves a special mention as the only touring father to have repelled the mass of charging boys for any period of time!

Resort runs low on food so the Newport team go fishing…

A group boys and fathers went on a fishing expedition this morning and landed three large Trevally’s, three Barracuda, two Coral trout, two Snapper,one Trigger and a Long Tom whilst they were out to sea. The Trevally’s took a minimum of 15 minutes each to land and the team on board were both excited and exhausted.

The happiest person in the resort when they arrived back was the head chef who yelled Bula Bula!, as the boys struggled back into the main area with these huge fish. Dinner tonight is going to be that little bit tastier thanks to our skilled fisherman.