Kaierau kick off club invitational

The Whanganui club rugby preseason will step up this weekend with Kaierau hosting an invitational 10-a-side tournament at the Country Club.

Invitations have been accepted by Pirates, Taihape and Ngamatapouri, while the hosts will field two teams.

"Kaierau is providing it as an alternative preseason opportunity, other than the usual 15s," said spokesman Geoff Simes.

Games will be played in 10-minute halves, changing over every half an hour on the No 1 field at the Country Club.

Teams will play with five forwards and five backs.

It will be a round robin format with the strongest performing team being named the winner.

The first game kicks off at 10.30am, with play expected to finish about 3.30pm.

The tournament will start off a big year for Kaierau, who will celebrate their 125th anniversary over Queen's Birthday weekend in June.