He plays rugby at Lapule and has fulfilled his dream of training in New Zealand

The two words New Zealand and rugby have become practically synonymous, taking into account the great tradition that this country has with this game, bringing together the best world representatives of the discipline. These days, a player from Laboulaye is fulfilling his dream of being able to share training and matches in New Zealand stadiums with the help of NewZStudy Academy, which conducts sports and educational exchanges in New Zealand stadiums. This is Juan Pedro Mucio, 17 years old, who spent a month and a half living this incredible experience with other young Argentines and Chileans.

“He's surprised, it's new, he's very happy,” his father, Madias Muzio, told Boondel, while noting that his son had the opportunity to share the gym with star players of international projection. “They were on a machine and next to them, Barrett, a professional player, was training. It's like being in the gym and having river players next to you is incredible,” said the Laboule resident, who is passionate about rugby.

Juan has been practicing the sport since he was 4 years old and plays for the Runculais club as a forward in eighth. Before the epidemic, other teenagers from Lapule traveled through this exchange, an academy linked to the Chilean system, and in 2024 the teenager was able to complete the long-awaited journey. On January 15, he left for the city of Napier, located in the northwest of the island, and at this time he was already on his way to Argentina, with wonderful events and an experience that would accompany him throughout his life.

“Juan went to a family home, which are houses where children can stay. He was with a boy from Mar del Plata and another from Buenos Aires. They take them to train, help them, support them, because obviously a 16 or 17-year-old boy is crossing the country for the first time. It’s hard to leave,” Madias said.

Practice

The playing routine Juan followed during these six weeks was very similar to that followed by New Zealand league players. Added to the adaptation to a different rhythm of life, in which “they wake up at 7 a.m. during the day and go to sleep during the day, because at 7 p.m. they already go to bed,” he said. Mathias.

“The first few days taught them what training should be like and how to prepare to play good rugby. He practiced every day from 9 am to 4 pm stopping for an hour for lunch. They're in the gym in the morning, playing on the field in the afternoon, personal skills, basic rugby skills, positioning on the field and all that. After the first 15 days, with the kids from the academy they organize matches with schools in Napier and some nearby towns. After they play games, next day they take them to spa, cold water, ice pool etc. Then, through videos, they analyze the game. In a certain way, it prepares them to be involved in a very demanding sport, without being professional rugby,” said Juan's father.

“Our goal as parents is for him to live this life experience, cheer him on and encourage him in sports.”

In addition, Laboulayense referred to the country's sports system in relation to this discipline, in analogy to the importance of football in culture and life in Argentina. “In New Zealand, youth rugby is offered through schools or academies that have rugby as a sport. For example, Juan Pedro was with the under-18s, and this academy has a team from New Zealand with the under-20s. So it's like they prepare the kids and then they go to different teams in the interior of the country. Can,” he explained.

In turn, he emphasized all the knowledge that Juan has incorporated on the field and during training, which will help him bring everything he has learned closer to his club, Ranculase. “He brings the worksheet that the teachers there have created for the club and sends it to the other clubs and clearly cuts down on how to practice, how to prepare, the level and possibilities in Labouille. This is very important because it inspires other colleagues,” he said.

“Our goal as parents is for him to live this life experience, to cheer him up and inspire him in sports,” Mathias emphasized.