Barry Cup on the line

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

RUGBY

You’ve got to be rough and tough to play Barry Cup rugby.

The sub-union trophy held by Uawa for the past three seasons will be up for grabs tomorrow.

Uawa, coached by Tip Nukunuku, play Ruatoria, coached by Lisa Muller, at the Domain in Tolaga Bay at 2.30pm.

It may well draw more spectators than the 1500 who attended the East Coast club final a fortnight ago.

Uawa are the team of the moment in East Coast rugby. They beat Tokararangi of Te Araroa 25-21 for the Rangiora Keelan Memorial Shield.

The opposition line-up for the first challenge of 2018 will include George Tuala, Zyon Collins and Tanetoa Parata.

Uawa last season defended the Barry Cup against Waikohu (5-5), Ruatoria (32-0), Wairoa (15-8) and Matakaoa (26-19), games that, in terms of sheer ferocity, had to be seen to be believed.

Last year, Ruatoria were without some key players. This year, under captain Tim Barbarich, they have a 33-man squad.

The referee tomorrow will be Royce Maynard, of Poverty Bay. He will be assisted by Neville Barwick (PB) and Victor Herbert (East Coast).

The game will be live-streamed on the Facebook page Uawa Live.