Young Cane tries to emulate star cousin

TOO QUICK: Broadlands School pupil Matthew Cane in action at the Rotorua Rippa Rugby Tournament yesterday. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 210314BF19

Reporoa's Matthew Cane is off to a good start when it comes to following the footsteps of his cousin Sam Cane.

Broadlands School pupil Matthew, 7, scored a stack of tries during the Rotorua Rippa Rugby Tournament at the Westbrook rugby fields yesterday.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union introduced the tournament this year to get more young players into rugby and rippa rugby.

However, according to Matthew, he doesn't need much convincing to play the popular game.

He said he wants to be just like his cousin Sam Cane.

"I like rugby and my cousin is an All Black," he said. "I want to play for the All Blacks and the Chiefs."

Central Bay junior rugby officer Johan Bardoul said more than 200 kids from 12 primary schools took part in the tournament yesterday.

"It is to promote rippa rugby and get more schools in Rotorua involved," he said.

He said it was all free for the schools and they wanted to get more children into the sport of rugby. There will be another Rotorua Rippa Rugby Tournament on April 4, at the same grounds.