Petanque: Tasman rivals to boule on

The petanque pistes at the Government Gardens will draw plenty of attention this weekend as top Australian and New Zealand players do battle.

The Trans-Tasman Petanque Challenge has never been held in Rotorua before but will be staged at the Government Gardens tomorrow and Sunday.

Australia have brought over a team of 24 to take on defending champions New Zealand, who currently hold the Trans-Tasman Challenge Cup.

This is the 12th time the annual competition has been held and New Zealand will be aiming for a sixth straight win in the event.

The competition includes an open section and a senior (over-60s) section. Petanque Rotorua are hosting the event this weekend.

"We offered to host the tournament last year after the national club champs were held here, and we won the bidding," tournament organiser Trevor Neilson, from Rotorua, said.

"It just promotes Rotorua ... and it provides some excitement for the Kiwis and Australians to come and battle here in Rotorua."

He said in terms of esteem it was the biggest tournament Petanque Rotorua would hold this year.

Teams of six men and six women in each of the open and senior sections will compete in the two-day tournament.