After a successful opening round of competition, teams are ready to battle in round two of the annual Rising Stars Championship at Raemaru Park in Arorangi today.

Apii Nikao, Takitumu, Te Uki Ou and Nukutere have made a strong start in their bids to defend their titles at this year’s Rippa Rugby event Rising Stars Competition.

Last year, Apii Nikao finished on top in the U11 Girls category while Apii Takitumu is the defending champions for the boys.

In the U13 girls, Apii Te Uki Ou is aiming to retain their title while Nukutere is gunning to hold onto the boys title.

Apii Avarua is leading the points table for the U11 and U13 Rippa Rugby Rising Stars competition after round one competition last week.

Following the week one competition, in the U11 Boys division, Apii Avarua (Red) leads Pool A with eight points, followed by Apii Takitumu (Red) and Apii Rutaki on six points with Imanuela Akatemia on four points.

In Pool B, Apii St Joseph and Apii Nikao-Green both take the lead with eight points each having played two games and winning both.

In the U13 Boys category, Apii Avarua leads with 12 points followed by Nukutere College and Apii Arorangi in second place on eight points each and Imanuela Akatemia with six points.

Apii Nikao has come out strong in the first week of the competition in the U11 and U13 girls’ categories.

In the U11 category, they lead with six points followed by St Joseph’s Primary in second place with four points and Apii Takitumu in third place with two points.

In the U13 category, Apii Te Uki Ou and Apii Nikao (Green) are tied with eight points each after beating Imanuela Akatemia and Apii Nikao (White).

The Rippa Rugby competition continues today.

A total of 60 teams are registered with almost 600 players competing for the top spot and sponsored prizes.

Tournament director Jackie Rongo said the ninth edition of the tournament will see six weeks of competition featuring secondary and primary schools alongside new registered teams.

Results:

U13B- Apii Arorangi Red 0 to 15 Apii Nikao White; Papaaroa College 5 to 25 Apii Arorangi Black; U13G- Apii Nikao Green 30 to 0 Apii Nikao White; U13B- Te Uki Ou White 0 to 25 Apii Avarua Blue; U13B- Papaaroa College 0 to 25 Apii Avarua Red; U13B Titikaveka College 10 to 15 Te Uki Ou White; U13B Titikaveka College 0 to 20 Apii Nikao Green; U13G Imanuela Akatemia 0 to 30 Apii Nikao Green; U13B Titikaveka College 10 to 30 Titikaveka College 10 to 30; U11G- Apii Takitumu 0 to 10 St Joseph's; U11B D1- Imanuela Akatemia 0 to 15 Apii Rutaki; U11B D2 - Apii Nikao Green 15 to 0 Apii Avarua Blue; U11B D2- Papaaroa College 0 to 10 Te Uki Ou Blue; U11B Apii Avarua Red 25 to 0 Apii Avarua Red 25 to 0; U11B D1 Te Uki Ou White 15 to 20 Imanuela Akatemia; U11B D2 Apii Avarua Blue 0 to 15 Apii Nikao Green; U11G Apii Nikao 10 to 0 St Joseph's.