The Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 tournament will get under way at Taupo's Owen Delany Park on Sunday.
After the successful inaugural tournament last year, New Zealand Rugby is making this a regular event to help develop emerging talent in the age group.
Bay of Plenty Rugby player development managerKyle McLean said the tournament provided a great opportunity for the province's young players to improve their skills and continue their rugby development. "It is a fantastic opportunity to test their talent against players from a similar age group and I know they are really looking forward to the challenge in Taupo."
New Zealand Rugby general manager of rugby Neil Sorensen said the tournament provided a pathway for emerging players and provided them with every reason to stay in the game and aim for higher honours, such as their full provincial union side and NZ Under-20 side.
"Many of the players involved in last year's tournament went on to higher honours, including representing New Zealand at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy," he said.
North Harbour, Auckland A, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Manawatu, Canterbury and Otago make up the eight spots in the premiership division to compete for the Graham Mourie Cup. Northland, Auckland B, Counties-Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, The Heartland XV, Tasman and Southland will compete in the championship division of the tournament for the Michael Jones Trophy.
Bay of Plenty's opening match is against Hawke's Bay at 11.05am on Sunday.
