Match against China real test of our strength: Nasser

New Delhi: Rugby India captain Nasser Hussain considers Wednesday`s clash against China in the Asian5 Nations

tournament as the real test of the team`s mettle and thinks players need to fire in unison to overpower their northern neighbour. Fresh from a three-week exposure tour of New Zealand, Nasser said the trip was specifically planned to prepare for this championship. "Tomorrow`s game is very crucial and we will stick to what we have learnt during our tour to New Zealand. It`s a big game between the two big countries and everyone in the team is looking forward to it. It`s a real test of our mental and physical fitness," Nasser told reporters. "We have seen China grew better and better over the last few years. It will be a great encounter and we are confident of good showing. We will put forward a combined effort to emerge victorious.” "The trip to New Zealand was extremely eventful keeping in mind the championship. We were up against the best playing team in the world. New Zealand is the top Rugby playing nation and to visit the country and get hang of their sporting culture was really great," Nasser said. The 24-member Indian squad include some young guns who will make their debut tomorrow, and the 26-year-old captain, playing for India since 1998, said they will play a crucial role in the two-day championship. "There are couple of players who will make their debut in this event, they include 16-year-old Jagga Singh, who is the youngest member of the team. A lot depend on these people," he said. If India beat China and then win the final match against either Philippines or Thailand, they will progress to the Division-I for the first time. "We are no longer pushovers. Players have worked hard on their skills and trained with the best in the business. We hope to upset teams in the upcoming championships," Nasser added. PTI