Rugby league: Passion and flair expected at Maori tournament

BOP Maori under-17 player Callaghan Leach at the Rangatahi Maori Rugby League Tournament in June. This weekend the wahine toa, rohe and waka tournaments will be played in Rotorua. Photo/File

There will be a plethora of Maori rugby league talent on display in Rotorua this weekend.

Tomorrowand Sunday Rotorua International Stadium is playing host to the 24th annual New Zealand Maori Rugby League Tuakana Tournament.

The tournament includes divisions for wahine toa (women), rohe (premier) and waka (reserve).

Tournament manager and New Zealand Maori Rugby League chairman John Devonshire said Maori league was full of passion and flair.

There would be 33 teams competing across the three divisions and he said there would be a high level of competition.

The wahine toa tournament in particular had a lot riding on it.

"That will probably be a big focus because the women have a lot to play for this weekend. We're naming a team to play the Kiwi Ferns on November 4 and then they'll travel to Australia in February. So there's a lot for our women to play for.

"[The level of talent amongst the women] is outstanding. There'll be people who were fringe players for the Kiwi Ferns, obviously the Kiwi Ferns can't be here, but there are a lot of talented women," Devonshire said.

In the rohe division, defending champions Kotahitanga will be seeking back-to-back titles.

"Auckland Maori is always hard as well and there's always a smokey. The smokey may be Te Aroha from the Gold Coast.

"In the Waka Waikato will be strong and the new team from Waipareira - they could be the smokey. In the wahine section probably Ngati Umutahi will be pretty tough, as will Te Mahurehure. They've had a very good rivalry over the years so they'll be the two teams to watch."

He said Rotorua was ideally situated to host national tournaments.

"It's central, we've been away, we went to Wainuiomata last year, but we're back in Rotorua. However, it's the first time we've played at the stadium and it's an absolute pleasure to be at this venue, it's awesome."

Entry to the stadium is free all weekend and Devonshire encouraged members of the public to get out and support the players.

"Maori has a uniqueness in terms of flair, in terms of passion and our catch phrase is 'feel the vibe, feel the pride'. It's going to be entertaining."