Bumper several weeks of age grade rugby coming up

Above: Action from the National U19 tournament in Taupo last year, where several players are now making their marks in the ITM Cup 

A full programme of Hurricanes Youth Council U16, U18, U19 and U20 Development rugby started this past weekend and runs through to the start of October.

The U20 Development teams from Wanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush and Poverty Bay side are in action over the next three weekends in a round-robin series at the Sport and Rugby Institute at Massey University.

Getting underway next Saturday, the National U19 Seeding tournament should attract much interest, particularly for Wellington fans whose team won the inaugural national title in Taupo in 2014.

Defending National U19 Graham Mourie Trophy champions Wellington are joined by their Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu counterparts and a Hurricanes Barbarians team contesting the Central Region Shield.

The finishing order of Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu will determine the Pools for the second annual Jock Hobbs National U19 tournament in Taupo in early October, while the Hurricanes Barbarians side replaces Taranaki who have left to play in the Chiefs region.

The Hurricanes Youth Council U18 competition includes teams from Wellington, Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, Wellington Samoan Schools, East Coast and Horowhenua-Kapiti, with three rounds on consecutive weekends throughout September.

The Hurricanes Youth Council U16 Division A and B tournaments run concurrently in Levin over four days at the end of September and the start of October. All eighth Hurricanes regions are involved in this, with Wellington and Hawke’s Bay both fielding Development teams.

Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council Chairman, Gordon Noble-Campbell emphasises the many opportunities the various competitions offer aspiring players.

 “The U20 Heartland Series is New Zealand Rugby’s primary selection process for the 2015 New Zealand Heartland U19 Team, while the departure of Taranaki from the region has enabled another group of high performing U19 players to form the Hurricanes U19 Barbarians team to play in the 2015 U19 Seeding Tournament.”

“While the U19 and U20 competitions are for players who have left school, the U18 competition is designed for this year’s school-leavers and provides an important bridge between the Council’s highly successful U16 tournament and the U19 and U20 programmes.”

 “Overall, we want our youth players to experience to the pride of wearing their Provincial Union jersey and hope that this will develop a long-term loyal relationship between players who have the potential to play at the game’s highest levels, and their Provincial Unions.”

Schedules at a glance

U20 Development Series
Teams: Poverty Bay, Wanganui, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush
Dates: 22 August, 29 August, 5 September

U19 Seeding Tournament - Central Region Shield
Teams: Hurricanes Barbarians, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu
Dates: 5 September, 12 September, 19 September

U18 competition
Teams: Wellington, Wanganui, Wellington Samoan Schools, East Coast, Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa-Bush
Dates: 12 September, 19 September, 26 September

U16 Tournament (Levin)
Division A teams: Hawke’s Bay A, Poverty Bay, Manawatu, Wellington A
Division B teams: Wanganui, East Coast, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Wellington Development, Hawke’s Bay Development, Wairarapa Bush
Dates: 28 September – 1 October