Central Region Shield Kicks-Off This Weekend
The 2018 Central Region Shield Tournament, proudly sponsored by Karaka Café on Wellington’s waterfront, kicks-off this weekend in Palmerston North and Wellington.
In the first match of the 2018 Tournament, the Manawatu Under 19 Team hosts the Hurricanes Heartland Under 20 Team on Saturday at CET Arena in Palmerston North, with a 1.00pm kick-off.
Coached by Shane Ratima (a former Otago Maori and Wanganui representative) and Blair van Stipriaan (Coach of Palmerston North Boys’ High School's 1XV), Manawatu meet the side that finished third in last year’s Tournament, which is coached by the Hurricanes’ Darren Larsen with the support of Dan Cron and Tane Tu'ipulotu.
This weekend’s other match will be played as the curtain-raiser to the Mitre 10 Cup match between Wellington and Otago and Westpac Stadium. The Wellington Under 19 Team (the defending Central Region Shield champions) will host Hawkes Bay, on Sunday at 11.35am, with the match to be broadcast live on 1161AM (on-line at teupoko.co.nz), thanks to the support of Karaka Cafe, and (to be confirmed) simulcast on Hawkes Bay’s Radio Kahungunu 94.3FM.
The winner and runner-up of the Tournament will play for the Graham Mourie Cup at the Jock Hobbs Memorial Under 19 Tournament, while the third-ranked team will play for the Michael Jones Trophy.
The Hurricanes Heartland Under 20 Team is ineligible to play at the Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament, although members of the team may be selected for the New Zealand Heartland Under 19 Team which participates at the Tournament.
(Published : 16/08/18)