Whanganui rugby: Ruapehu’s Division 2 withdrawal delays Challenge Shield clash

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There will have to be another week before the WRFU Division 2 competition sees the Challenge Shield on the line as the now nine-team grade heads into the Easter Weekend round.

Ruapehu’s sole team held the shield at the end of the 2025 Senior season. Their new-look Division 2 side had been designated as the holders for their first game against fellow fresh opponents Counties at Rochfort Park.

However, low playing-group numbers have seen Ruapehu pull out of Division 2 to focus on having a full-strength squad for their return to Division 1, formerly Premier, on April 11.

Counties got to play a preseason friendly against that top team on Saturday.

Across the rest of Round 1 matches on Saturday, 2025 Senior semifinalists Marist Celtic signalled clear intentions for their campaign when travelling to Memorial Park to upend Taihape 46-17.

Also signalling a possible resurgence were 2024 Senior champions Utiku Old Boys, who made the trip to the Country Club and defeated Kaierau in a 27-0 shutout.

Perennial contenders Hunterville showed the young Border side, Senior quarter-finalists last year, that there were still levels to this game with a big 48-7 win to top the points table.

With the long weekend, there will be games across three days for the Easter round, starting on Thursday evening as Kaierau host Celtic for the first derby match of the season at the Country Club, while Counties get their season proper underway at Macnab Domain against Hunterville.

Good Friday will see the returned Marton Stingerz have the first home match of their season against Border at Marton Park. On Saturday, Pirates will host Utiku at Spriggens Park.

Division 2 draw

April 2-4, 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change):

April 2: Kaierau v Celtic, Country Club (6pm); Counties v Hunterville, Macnab Domain (6.15pm); April 3: Marton v Border; April 4: Pirates v Utiku Old Boys, Spriggens Park. Bye: Taihape.

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