Rugby tens format for start of season

The eagerly-awaited rugby season kicks off today with only the age-grades playing in the CITC Rarotonga club 10s competition for the next two weekends.

To add variety and encourage some of the bigger boys to play, rugby 10s with five-man scrums and 20 minute games will be used as the pre-season pool play format.

This weekend’s two venues are the Avatiu and Ngatangiia rugby fields.

The day will start at 11.30am with the under 10 mixed rippa rugby progressing into the rugby 10s competition category in which all six Rarotonga clubs will field under 13, under 16 and under 19 teams.

Clubs have been split into two pools with Pool A teams of Avatiu Eels, Takuvaine Reds and Titikaveka Bulls playing at Avatiu and Pool B teams including Ngatangiia Dragons, Tupapa Panthers and Arorangi Cowboys playing at Ngatangiia.

Today is all about age-grade development so take the family to the Avatiu and Ngatangiia rugby fields for a wonderful opportunity to watch some exciting age grade games and the nation’s future stars.

Both venues will have plenty of hot food and cold drinks for sale to keep the rugby family happy.

Referees are asked to be prepared ahead of time for all games.

Referees at Ngatangiia are Robert Graham (appointments / bench official), Cathy Peyroux (bench official/timekeeper), Tua Manea, Poso Ngaroi, Tangi Toa, Julianne Westrupp, Koa Munokoa, Daniel Munrom, Massey Materiki, Paul Peyroux (Snr). Referees at Avatiu are Johnny Hosking (appointments / bench official), Tom Wills (bench official), Ben Koteka, Arthur Emile, William Taripo, Vaivase Samania, Tangata (Puru) Samania, Bishop Bishop, Sean Willis, Tutai Taurarii.