Rugby: Rotorua Boys' tackle Cup series

Rotorua Boys' High School will compete in the Chiefs Cup this weekend. Pictured is Boys' High player Rawiri Manley. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua Boys' High School will kick off get their rugby season in the Chiefs Cup.

Four teams from the Bay of Plenty - Rotorua Boys' High School, Trident High School, Tauranga Boys' College and Bethlehem College - will compete in the Chiefs secondary school first XV competition starting this Saturday.

The competition is organised by the Chiefs franchise and will run for four weekends.

The tournament is in its second year and is broken into a two-tier competition (Chiefs Cup and Chiefs Trophy), with 16 high schools taking part.

Rotorua Boys' High School and Tauranga Boys' College will compete in the top-tier Chiefs Cup, while Bethlehem College and Trident High School will compete in the Chiefs Trophy.

The final of the Chiefs Cup will be played at Rotorua International Stadium as the curtain raiser to the Black Ferns versus Australia match on Sunday, June 1.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union secondary schools manager Kyle McLean said it would be of tremendous benefit to the local schools taking part.

"It is a great opportunity for our local schools to play outside of the BOP and compete against opposition they wouldn't get to normally," he said.

"I'm sure it will provide a great opportunity for the teams to find their feet prior to the business end of the season, be it Super 8 or BOPSS Division 1."

Chiefs Cup draw for Rotorua Boys' High School (Pool B):

Saturday May 10: Rotorua Boys' High School v Manurewa High School.

Saturday May 17: Cambridge High School v Rotorua Boys' High School.

Saturday May 24: Rotorua Boys' High School v Hamilton Boys High School.

Chiefs Cup final: Sunday June 1 at Rotorua International Stadium.