Rugby: Sevens comes early to the Mount

Te Aihe Toma from Te Puna takes on the Rangataua defence at the Mount Sevens tournament in January. Photo / File

The summer of sevens begins early this year, with the rescheduled Page Macrae Engineering Mount Maunganui Sports Club Rugby Sevens tournament at Blake Park on Saturday.

The event goes back to 1992 and attracts the top club teams from Auckland, Waikato, North Harbour, Wellington and Bay of Plenty.

It has been moved from its usual Auckland Anniversary weekend slot in late January to avoid the late season clashes with other club and provincial tournaments.

Tournament organiser Matt Welsh says moving the tournament to this Saturday will give the players more exposure to provincial and national selectors.

"The other reason was we were getting falling numbers over Anniversary Weekend because of everything else that happens at the Mount," he said.

"Last year was the first time they had the Beach 5s here. Also in Auckland over that weekend they are having a tournament with big prize money of $10,000, winner takes all, run by Pacific Island teams.

"We will have a 24-team field and it is a very strong field too. We did contemplate having a women's section and an age group colts competition as well. [2016] being Olympic year we might get the support to do that."

Due to the date change, Marist North Harbour could set an unlikely record if they defend their title by winning the tournament twice in one calendar year. In January they defeated Te Puke's Rangiuru, who ended Rangataua's dream of four successive titles in the semifinals. Rangiuru led 15-0 but the North Harbour boys were too strong in the end, winning 33-15.

Rangataua will be keen to continue their excellent run at the tournament with victories in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Matua Parkinson-coached side are the reigning New Zealand club champions after winning the Middlesex Sevens.

Page Macrae Engineering Mount Sevens
Saturday October 18, Blake Park
Ponsonby, Grammar Tech, Glenfield, Manukau Rovers, Ardmore Marist (Auckland), Te Puna, Rangataua, Rangiuru, Mount Maunganui Sports, Mount Maunganui Sports 2, Te Puke, Rotoiti (Bay of Plenty), United Matamata, Hinuera, Leamington, Waikato University, Hamilton Marist, Hautapu (Waikato), Marist North Harbour, East Coast Bays, Northcote/Birkenhead (North Harbour), Hastings Rugby & Sports, Havelock North (Hawkes Bay) Wainuiomata (Wellington).

Previous Tournament Champions
1992 (Whakatane Marist) 1993 (Waikite) 1994 (Takapuna) 1995 (Taradale) 1996 (Helensville) 1997 (Mount Maunganui 1998 (Ngongotaha) 1999 (Takapuna) 2000 (Arataki) 2001 (Havelock North) 2002 (Marist St Pats) 2003 (Waitemata) 2004 (Hastings) 2005 (Waitemata) 2006 (Hautapau) 2007 (Northern United) 2008 (Waitemata) 2009 (Grammar-Carlton) 2010 (Ponsonby) 2011 (Rangataua) 2012 (Rangataua) 2013 (Rangataua) 2014 (Marist North Harbour).