An innovative new Auckland city-wide club rugby competition will be trialled this year with leading clubs from Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau taking part.
The Wider Auckland Club Knock Out competition is a collaboration of the three provincial unions that traverse the Super City and will take place in the lead-up to their respective club competitions this season.
The competition will take place over three weekends from March 11-25 and will see three groups of eight teams participating.
Competition driver Craig Carter says club rugby can sometimes be the forgotten child of rugby and yet is steeped in so much tradition and history. Examples of this are the North Shore are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year and Ponsonby are 149 years so there is a lot of history there,” Carter said.
“The advent of television raising the profile of 1st XV over the last few years hasn’t helped the profile of club rugby. I for one believe club rugby is where it is at and you can’t beat watching a good game of club rugby, between clubs with so much history and players giving their all for their colours. And being right there on the side-line you see all the happenings right there in front of you.
“This competition aims to celebrate club rugby and try something a little different.
“There is potential for broadcasting games and tying in games with Super Rugby matches.”
While the full draw will be released in the coming weeks, Carter has confirmed Gallaher Shield winners Manukau will square-off with Counties Manukau runners-up Patumahoe in the opening round while McNamara Cup champions Manurewa will face Grammar TEC while Ponsonby v North Shore and Pukekohe v Pakuranga loom as mouth-watering contests as well.
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