Village Kings tournament on Saturday

The Wellington Samoa Rugby Union hosts the fifth annual Village Kings 10-a-side tournament at Wise Park, Wainuiomata on Saturday.

The tournament involves 12 open invitational men’s teams representing several villages and districts in Samoa, plus two composite Fijian teams that have entered this year.

Teams taking part are: Anoama’a (defending champions), Moata’a, Wainuiomata Samoans, Wellington Fijians, Tanugamanono, Malie, Falelatai, Manawatu Fijians, Faleata, Apia Maroons, Vailima and Vaitoloa.

The playing format for all games is two 10-minute halves with two-minute halftime intervals. Teams can carry up to 25 players in their squad, with 10 players on the field and five reserves in any given game. Players and spectators alike can look forward to a fast-paced day of all-action rugby.

The teams are distributed into four pools of three teams. Pool play gets underway at 9.00am and continues through to 11.30am. Crossover matches commence at 12.30pm, building up to the Bowl final at 2.35pm, the Plate final at 3.00pm and the Cup final at 3.25pm.

With a third of Wellington’s senior rugby players of Pacific Island heritage, a host of well-known rugby players are expected to take part in this tournament including a core group of Wellington Lions and Development squad players and others from further afield such as Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay.

Similarly, many local players are using this as a warm-up for next weekend’s WRFU Club Championship American Ambassador’s sevens tournament that is being staged just up the road at Mary Crowther Park.

There is prize money up for grabs, with the Village Kings tournament winner receiving $2,000, the losing Cup finalist $1,000, beaten semi-finalists $500 and the Plate winner $300. Plus there are team spirit and Player of the Tournament monetary and prize pack awards.

Tournament Details:

What: Wellington Samoa Rugby Union Village Kings Tournament 
Where: Wise Park, Wainuiomata
When: Saturday 29 October, 9,00am – 4.00pm (approx)

Teams and Pools:

Pool A: Moata’a, Wainuiomata Samoans, Wellington Fijians
Pool B: Tanugamanono, Anoma’a, Malie
Pool C: Falelatai, Manawatu Fijians, Faleata
Pool D: Apia Maroons, Vailima, Vaitoloa

Draw at a glance:

9.00am-11.30am: Pool games
12.30pm – 2.35pm: Crossover games, Cup and Plate semi-finals
2.35pm: Bowl Final
3.00pm: Plate Final
3.25pm: Cup Final