Dunedin side for under85kg competition

RUGBY

RUGBY is fast becoming a game for the big and powerful.

But those who are not quite as bulky or strong now have a chance to have a go.

New Zealand Rugby launched the second year of a national under85kg competition late last week.

The Otago Rugby Football Union is on board and a side consisting of players from the Dunedin competition has been entered.

The union now has to start organising a team

ORFU rugby operations administrator Thomas Grant said the union’s search for players had begun and would play under the Sassenachs banner.

Once a list of players was confirmed, two open days would take place and trials will be held.

There was no age limit although players had to have left

school and be aligned with a club.

He said it was a fantastic concept to get players of a smaller size playing the game.

Longterm the union may look at introducing an under85kg grade in Dunedin.

At the moment the junior colts grade filled a good spot for players who just wanted to play the game and not take it too

seriously.

No coach had been appointed yet for the under85kg team.

Grant said he was confident plenty of players would be interested in the team. The draw has the Sassenachs team taking on a side from Pleasant Point from South Canterbury in the opening round. No date has yet to be arranged but it is set to be played

in the club rugby window.

NZR started a national under85kg competition last year with 19 teams from five unions.

This had grown to 45 teams from 12 provinces this season.

The bulk of the teams are from Auckland. The final of the national competition will be played at Eden Park later in the season.