League: Pa Wars kicking off again

The Te Arawa Pa Wars is being held this weekend in Rotorua. Pictured is Tuhourangi and Ngati Pikiao in action during the last event, in 2013. Photo / Ben Fraser

Cousins, brothers, fathers and sons will line up alongside one another during the Te Arawa Pa Wars in Rotorua.

The Pa Wars rugby league tournament is being held across two Saturdays, starting tomorrow, at Puketawhero Park and pits eight teams from different hapu against one another.

The tournament includes plenty of cousins and family members lining up together to represent their hapu, making for a great atmosphere each year.

The event took a break last year but is up and running again this year as each team look to be crowned champions of Te Arawa.

Te Arawa Rugby League committee chairman Jason Walker said the tournament was originally established to select a Te Arawa men's team.

"It was initially started to pick a Te Arawa team to take away to nationals," he said. "We did not have a team last year ... but a couple of the other guys on the committee asked me if I wanted to help them get it going again this year."

He said it was a great event that generally attracted good crowds. "We are hoping to put on a good show," he said. "Plenty of people follow it, so we are hoping to have some good crowds as well."

Walker said it was not just league players who take part but union players and even guys who do not play either code.

Walker, Paul Nahu and Nepia Te Rangi will function as selectors during the next two weekends to pick a Te Arawa team to go to the Maori nationals during Labour weekend.

The teams competing tomorrow are split into two pools, with the finals played next Saturday. Games will run 30 minutes each half.

Pa Wars draw tomorrow at Puketawhero Park:
•9.25am: Ngati Pikiao v Ngati Kearoa (field one), Ngati Whakaue v Iwi Tapu Te Oranga Ake (field two).
•10.45am: Ngati Ngararanui v Tuhourangi (field one), Ngati Rongomai v Ngati Rangitihi (field two).
•12pm: Ngati Pikiao v Ngati Whakaue (field one), Ngati Kearoa v Iwi Tapu Te Oranga Ake (field two).
•1.15pm: Ngati Rangitihi v Tuhourangi (field one), Ngati Rongomai v Ngati Ngararanui (field two).