Club rugby action on today

Titikaveka, Arorangi and Tupapa are the places to catch all the rugby action today as the 2012 rugby union season kicks into gear.

The season officially kicked off on Friday afternoon when the Titikaveka Bulls hosted the Avatiu Eels in the under 16 grade clash at Titikaveka field.

Remaining games between these two clubs will be played out today starting at 1.30pm with the senior reserve grade followed by the under 19 grade at 2.40pm and the senior A grade at 4pm.

At Arorangi – games tip off at 11am in the under 10 mixed rippa rugby competition.

All boys and girls aged under 10 years are welcomed to get along to Raemaru Park and play rippa rugby.

Rugby 15 games will start at 12.40pm in the under 13 grade between hosts the Arorangi Cowboys and the Ngatangiia Dragons with the last game kicking off at 4pm between the Cowboys and Dragons senior A grade teams.

This is sure to be an exciting game but the main match of the weekend is the clash of the Tupapa Panthers and Takuvaine Reds.

Games will start at 11am at Victoria Park with the under 10 boys and girls rippa rugby which is sure to soften up the pitch for the next lot of games starting at 12.30pm between the Panthers and Reds under 13 teams.

In the senior A grade division, the Panthers are the current reigning club rugby champions with the Reds finishing in 5th place last season.

This local derby is always a ‘State of Origin’ affair with the Panthers winning both times the two teams met last season by close-margins 27-21 and 17-15.

The Panthers are normally slow starters but this year they will be looking to start the year with a bang!

The Reds, on the other hand, have been flying under the radar lately and are likely to unveil some new talent from their under 19 grade so watch this space.

Players to watch in the Reds camp are national sevens player Eddie Nicholas in the midfield and strong-running loose forwards Travel ‘King’ Tou and Rodney Tiro. For the Panthers keep a close eye on speedster Conrad Piri, action man Turori Matutu and skilled forward and captain Kore Herman.

Get your club colours on and head out to the rugby field and support your teams.

Draw and referee appointments on page 13