We were looking for a nation with two big islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean.

The answer is New Zealand.

Rugby is a big deal there -- and some of the country's best rugby players are members of the Maori indigenous group.

A team representing New Zealand -- and made up entirely of Maoris -- has sparked a controversy in South Africa.

The Maori team was scheduled to play South Africa's national rugby team -- the Springboks -- during a tour in June.

But South African rugby officials said no -- they have a rule against playing teams formed on the basis of race.

It's a post-apartheid regulation meant to outlaw all-white teams.

Colin Peacock of Radio New Zealand says it's an ironic development.

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