Rugby: U19 tournament seen as a springboard

FILE

Bay of Plenty's under-19 rugby team is aiming for a top seeding at the inaugural Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament taking place in Taupo later this month.

Seeding tournaments are under way around the country leading up to the tournament at Owen Delany Park from Sunday, September 28 to Saturday, October 4.

"We are hugely excited about this tournament as it will provide a valuable springboard for our promising young players who want to play rugby at the highest levels of the game," Bay coach Brendon Webby said.

"This will be great for a player's development and a fantastic opportunity to test their skills against players from a similar age group so I know they are really looking forward to the challenge in Taupo."

Some of the most inspiring names in New Zealand rugby have been lent to the new tournament, with the tournament itself named in honour of former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby chairman Jock Hobbs.

The tournament comprises 16 seeded teams, one from each of the ITM Cup provincial unions, a second team from Auckland Rugby and a representative team from the 14 Pink Batts Heartland Unions.

Teams will compete across two divisions. Teams in the top division will be competing for the honour of winning the tournament cup named after former All Blacks captain and recently retired NZR director Graham Mourie.

The winner of the second division will be awarded the Michael Jones Trophy, named after the legendary All Blacks flanker.

"This tournament is a huge opportunity for our young players and I know the team will be looking for a good seeding to help their chances of lifting one of the two trophies up for grabs," Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers said.

Former All Blacks captain and president of New Zealand Rugby, Sir John Graham, has lent his name to the trophy for outstanding player of the tournament.

Final seedings will be announced after the conclusion of seeding tournaments next weekend.

A selection of matches across each tournament day will be screened live on Sky Sports 1 and 2.