Southland to host South Island Under-16 tournament

This year’s South Island Under16 Boys Inter-Provincial rugby tournament will be held in Invercargill from Thursday, October 3 until Saturday, October 5.

Held annually, the tournament runs across the three days, with the finals played at the conclusion on the third day.

Over the first two days, six games will be played each day at James Hargest College, Senior Campus in Layard Street, Invercargill. The finals day on Saturday, October 5, will consist of three finals played at James Hargest College, Senior Campus and the major three finals will be played at Rugby Park Stadium in Tweed Street.

Rugby Southland club development officer Bob Cullen says the tournament will comprise 12 teams from throughout the South Island – Southland, Otago Country, Otago Metro, North Otago, South Canterbury, Canterbury Metro Red, Canterbury Metro Black, Mid Canterbury, Canterbury Country, Nelson, Marlborough and Buller/West Coast.

‘‘All provinces have been split into four pools of three teams within their South Island regions and they will commence preliminary qualifying games this weekend. These qualifying games will be held over the next three weekends and will determine seeding places for the 3-day tournament. The tournament will have the eight highest Rugby Park is one of the main venues for the upcoming South Island Under 16 Boys Inter-Provincial rugby tournament being held October 3-5. Photo: ROBYN EDIE

seeded teams from qualifying play in the Cup and Plate Side of the draw with Quarter and Semi-Finals played over the first two days (October 3 and 4) and the Finals played on the third

day (October 5).’’

The four lowest-seeded teams from qualifying will play in the Bowl Side of the draw with three round-robin games over the three days of the tournament.

Historically this event is considered as the most important tournament in the South Island for this age group of players during the year, Bob says.

‘‘Southland is normally extremely

competitive in the tournament, placing in the top four most years.

‘‘They placed third at the 2018 Tournament and second at the 2017 Tournament.’’