By Gemma Coombe
While many of us were stuffing our faces with chocolate over the Easter weekend, New Zealand's best deaf rugby players were battling it out in the 2016 Deaf Rugby Championships.
Over three days, the Northern, Central and Southern sides fought valiantly for the shield, in the competitions 25th jubilee year.
The grand final was played Sunday afternoon and despite the 24-24 final scoreline, the boys from down south claimed the win on points.
Co-captain of the Southern team Michael May says unlike other rugby games, players are required to pay closer attention.
"This is just a lot more visual and we require just a bit more communication. It slows the game down a bit because you can't yell out calls or yell 'pass it to me', we actually have to turn our heads to see who we're passing to," says May.
"We would run, score a try and celebrate and then we see the ref's hands are up so we ran all that way for nothing."
Tony Kuklinski , the president of Deaf Rugby New Zealand, says most players are part of their local clubs as well, but to play in a deaf side, there are strict hearing limits.
"We have a decibel limit of 25 and above. If you're anything under that you're considered hearing, so we have a limit on how much they can hear to be allowed to play," says Kuklinski.
The regional rivalry will now be put aside. In two weeks, the Deaf Blacks, made up of the best players from each district, will head to South America for a three Test series against Argentina.
Co-captain of the Central side Ben Webb is happy to put yesterday's disappointing loss behind him and is looking forward to the upcoming tour.
"Incredibly excited. I mean now the Easter one is over, that's the next thing to focus on. I mean the Deaf Blacks, it's a great honour to be in there," says Webb.
The first Test against Argentina will take place in Cordoba on April 24.
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