Chile is not known for tough front row forwards, talented backs - or the game of rugby, for that matter - but try telling that to Queenstown's latest visitors.
Chilean rugby players from The Grange School have tied in their school rugby trip with the Rugby World Cup and played their last match against the Wakatipu club at the Queenstown Recreation Ground yesterday.
"It's [New Zealand] the birthplace of rugby," said No 8 Sabastian Kalm.
He had said he had felt completely at home in New Zealand and would seek a rugby contract when he finished his end-of-year exams.
The 18-year-old has already met Southland coach Dave Henderson to talk rugby, after former All Black Paul Henderson, now coaching a club in Santiago, gave him his contacts.
"He's our star player," team-mate and first five-eighth Matias Garib said of Kalm.
The team has been enjoying Queenstown's views as well as the luge, gondola, bungy jump and a helicopter ride over the resort.
"This country is very nice, especially Queenstown. Queenstown has been the best place we have seen so far," Garib said.
The squad of 25 started its trip in Auckland on September 5 and has travelled down the country, playing several first XV sides.
Having a tour of mixed results, the boys said they were thrilled to be in New Zealand while their heroes are competing for the Webb Ellis trophy.
Their tour started on a high note, beating Scots College in Wellington, but the South Island has not brought them the same success, with losses to Waitaki Boys' High School, King's High School in Dunedin, Southland Boys' High School and yesterday they went down to Wakatipu.
While Chile has not qualified for this Rugby World Cup, these young Chileans are determined to compete at the next.
