Rugby: Unbeaten Whanganui Marist Stallions off to national junior festival

The Whanganui Marist Stallions will put their unbeaten form under the pump at the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival in Taupo next week.

Head coach Marty Bullock and assistant by Richie Campbell guided the youngsters to the Wanganui Rugby Football Union under-12 grade title after going through the season undefeated.

Team manager Ricky Lee said the result had given them confidence leading into the national festival that runs from September 20-23, when the boys will play at least five games over three days.

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"We are the only team from Whanganui and have the chance to play an Australian team as well," Lee said.

"Going through the season undefeated to win the under-12 grade title was a massive achievement, so we are feeling confident of placing in the better half of the 16 teams in the same age group at the festival.

"We have drawn a tough pool, though. We have Auckland Marist and Marist St Pat's from Wellington in our pool and they are arguably the two toughest teams involved.

"Some of these large metropolitan clubs have six or seven teams in the same grade, so can pick a super team for this competition. It has been a massive effort by local businesses and parents alike to get these boys to the festival that's open to club sides," Lee said.