Rugby: Rotoiti, Kahukura crowned as champions

Rotoiti and Kahukura have both won titles at the Bay of Plenty Champion of Champions Junior Rugby finals.

Rotoiti and Kahukura won titles at the Bay of Plenty Champion of Champions Junior Rugby finals.

The champion-of-champions finals were on Saturday at three venues across the Bay.

Opotiki (under-10), Greerton Marist Black (under-11), Rotoiti (under-12) and Kahukura (under-13) also won their respective divisions.

Greerton Marist's Junior Rugby Club hosted the under-11 and under-12 competitions, while Opotiki hosted the under-10s and Judea hosted the under-13s.

Rotoiti under-12 coach Chris Rangirangi said he was very proud of his boys.

"There are no words to say, at the end of the day you are just proud of them," he said.

Rangirangi said Greerton gave them a good battle, but his side managed to come out victors, 52-24.

They also defeated Kawerau 77-10 to win the overall Bay of Plenty title at Greerton Park.

Rangirangi said they qualified for the champion-of-champions after winning the local Rotorua league, defeating Ngongotaha in the final.

"I have to take my hat off to Ngongotaha, they were the dark horse this year," he said. "We actually lost our first game to Ngongotaha this year."

The event is held annually matching the winners of the Central Bay of Plenty (Rotorua) competition with the winners of the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Western Bay of Plenty competitions.

Rangirangi said he had been coaching the boys for four years now, just missing out during the past couple of years in the local competition.

He said a big thank-you to his assistant coaches Taute Poupoasa and Kevin Lee, and to the parents and supporters.

Kahukura won their age-group title by defeating Judea 29-22 and Opotiki 44-22 to claim the under-13 title. Meanwhile, Central Bay of Plenty representatives Marist St Michael's and Whakarewarewa also competed in the under-10 and under-11 competitions.