Bihar Hosts Historic New Zealand Rugby Series in Rajgir
The Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar is hosting a historic Under-20 rugby series between India and New Zealand, celebrating a century of sporting friendship.
Exciting sports news has arrived from eastern India! The Rajgir Sports Complex in Nalanda district, Bihar, is buzzing with energy as it hosts an incredible international contest. From 23 to 28 October 2026, young athletes are going head-to-head in a historic rugby series in Bihar that brings two sporting nations closer together.
This bilateral tournament is organised under the “100 Years of Unity Through Sport” initiative. It honours an entire century of sporting ties between India and New Zealand. Remarkably, this event marks the very first time that New Zealand’s under-20 rugby squads have ever travelled to India for an international series.
What happened?
A group of 24 talented young MΔori players travelled all the way across the globe from New Zealand. Upon landing at Patna Airport, the visiting athletes received a warm, colourful traditional welcome before journeying onwards to Rajgir. The New Zealand delegation features two squads: a men’s squad named Tama Toa and a women’s squad known as Hine Toa, accompanied by a six-member management team.
Indian rugby fans have plenty of reasons to cheer for their home side. Seven gifted young athletes from Bihar were selected to represent India across both the men’s and women’s national under-20 teams. Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), highlighted the historic milestone of hosting New Zealand’s world-class rugby talent right here on Indian soil.
The tour is not just about competing on the grass. The players are also taking part in joint coaching clinics to share skills, alongside cultural exchange sessions where they learn about each other’s traditions. The excitement reaches its peak on 27 October 2026 with four thrilling Rugby Sevens matches. Fans will enjoy an India versus New Zealand men’s game, a women’s clash, and two special mixed exhibition matches where players from both nations combine into single teams.
Why does it matter to you?
When boys and girls in India talk about favourite sports, games like cricket, football, and badminton often come to mind first. However, this tournament proves that rugby is growing rapidly across our country. It opens up brand new athletic dreams for school students, showing that you can choose different paths in physical education and sport to achieve national pride.
Seeing seven players from Bihar wear the India jersey shows that dedication and steady practice can take you from local grounds to global stages. Furthermore, the mixed exhibition matches show how sports can bring people from opposite sides of the planet together. By passing the same ball and defending the same goal line, players demonstrate that teamwork and friendship easily cross borders, languages, and cultures.
Words to know
- Bilateral series: A sports competition arranged directly between two specific countries.
- Rugby Sevens: A fast, energetic style of rugby played with seven players per team across short halves.
- Cultural exchange: A friendly programme where people from different countries share their customs, language, and ways of life.
- Exhibition match: A sports match played for enjoyment, learning, and celebration rather than for official tournament points.
Did you know?
The Rajgir Sports Complex in Nalanda has quickly become a premier rugby hub in India! In August 2025, it hosted the Asia Rugby Emirates U-20 Championship, and in April 2026, it hosted the Senior National Rugby Championships before welcoming New Zealand for this historic series.
Think about it
If you were picked to play in a mixed team with a player from New Zealand, how would you make them feel welcome? What new sport would you like to try out at your school sports day this year?
Quick quiz
What are the names of the two visiting New Zealand under-20 squads?
- Tama Toa and Hine Toa
- Kiwis and All Blacks
- Patna Tigers and Nalanda Warriors
See the answer
Tama Toa and Hine Toa
Sources
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
