A group of Wellington sevens players have been selected to attend a Sevens Development trial in January with their sights set on the 2019 All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens Development teams and one of four wider training spots on offer.

The players are: Adam Simpson (Petone), Dan Schrijvers (Upper Hutt Rams), Losi Filipo (Northern United), Roderick Solo (Scots College 2018), Dhys Faleafaga (Northern United), Marcelle Parkes (Marist St Pat's), Rosi Lomani (Northern United). 

The National Sevens is this weekend in Tauranga. The Wellington's men's and women's teams are in action and their games on day one are below:

Men's
11.25am v South Canterbury
1.45pm v Northland
4.35pm v Tasman

Women's
11.05am v Counties Manukau
1.25pm v Manawatu
4.55pm v North Harbour

200-game Poneke prop Fred Baker passed away suddenly at the end of this past week. Baker was a mainstay in the front row of Poneke teams throughout the 1970s and later coached at the club. He was a Poneke life member. Club Rugby passes on its condolences to his family and to the club. RIP Fred Baker.

Four Wellington schools and five teams competed at the Condor 7s tournament in Auckland this weekend. Scots College were beaten Cup semi-finalists, losting at the death to Rotorua BHS, while St Mary's College missed out to Howick College in their Cup quarter-final before beating Gisborne GHS 17-5 to win the Plate final. St Pat's Silverstream lost to Kelston BHS in the Plate semi-finals to finish 11th equal. Wainuiomata HS lost all their three games on Saturday, but won both games on Sunday morning before losing to Southland GHS in the Shield final to finish 18th. Scots College's U15 team finished in the chasing pack in their tournament on Friday. Hamilton Boys' High School (boys) and Howick College (girls) did the 'double', each winning the U15 and Senior tournaments. 

Six WRRA referees are part of a 34-strong National Referee Squad announced by New Zealand Rugby for the 2019 season. The Wellington referees are: Mike Fraser, Ben O’Keeffe (professional referees), Nick Hogan, Vincent Ringrose, Richard Gordon and Monique Dalley, who is new to the national squad.

Paremata Plimmerton RFC is seeking Expressions of Interest for Head Coach & Assistants for the Premier Reserve (2nd team) for 2019. Paremata Plimmerton (“ParePlim”) is a small club building to do BIG things, so come and be a part of this exciting journey!
The Coaching role involves:
· The operational coaching and selection of the team;
· Engagement in player recruitment & retention;
· Developing team culture;
· Working as a team with the Premier and Colts Coaching staff to build and develop player skills.

To apply for please send an email with your expression of interest and any coaching qualifications and experience you may have to: pprfc001@gmail.com

With the third and final scheduled one-day tournament unable to go ahead owing to the weather, Northern United's Men's and Women’s teams have won the Ambassador 7s silverware for 2018. Consequently, Northern United and Johnsonville have been automatically offered the opportunity to compete in the Middlesex County Cup (National club 7s) tournament in February 2019.

The final top three points tables were as follows. Men: Norths (42), Johnsonville (32), Upper Hutt Rams (30). Women: Norths (40), Marist St Pat's (34), Paremata-Plimmerton (28).

Old Boys University have confirmed the return of their Jubilee Cup winning OBU Premier Team Coaching group in 2019. After two years assisting Micheal Barnes now takes over as Head Coach in 2019 ably supported by the return of Jamie Williams, Greg Halford and Tomasi Palu. Jamie takes a wider role not only assisting the Premiers but also analysis for the club's Colts team and Academy. Rua Tipoki also widens his scope overseeing and supporting the Colts coaching groups in 2019.

Marist St Pat's have appointed their coaches for 2019. Simon Culley and Marty Berry come across from the Upper Hutt Rams and Wellington Axemen respectively to take the helm of the Premiers, ably assisted by club playing veterans Peter Sciascia and Fa'atonu Fili. Edwin Meachen and Daniel Kauraka will take charge of the Premier Reserves. 

Marcelle Parkes (Marist St Pat's) will make her debut off the bench at flanker for the Black Ferns against France this weekend. Ayesha Leti-I'iga (Ories) returns on the left wing, while Jackie Patea-Fereti (Petone) and Monica Tagoai (MSP) are both on the bench. The match is on Saturday morning (NZT). 

The third leg of the WRFU American Ambassador's Sevens tournament has been cancelled, following its postponement last weekend.

The third and final leg of the American Ambassador's 7s series has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday, 10 November, at Mary Crowther Park in Wainuiomata. More details coming later in the week. 

Ayesha Leti-L'iga (Oriental-Rongotai) will make her Black Ferns debut on Sunday at 12pm (NZT) against the USA on the left wing, while Monica Tagoai (Marist St Pat's) will come off the bench to debut as well. Jackie Patea-Fereti also comes off the reserves bench.

Thirty-three new faces feature among the 190 professional players contracted by New Zealand’s five Investec Super Rugby clubs for the 2019 season. Alongside familiar names, the squads include seven sets of brothers, and 33 names new to Super Rugby contracts, including 21 from the 2018 Under 20 development programme, demonstrating a strength in the emerging talent.

The new Hurricanes recruits signing on for Super Rugby contracts for the first time are: Fraser Armstrong (Manawatu), Liam Mitchell (Manawatu), Du Plessis Kirifi (Northern United), Richard Judd (Paremata-Plimmerton), Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's), Salesi Rayasi (Upper Hutt Rams). Also: Marino Mikaele Tu’u (OBU - Highlanders).

A group of Wellington players are among the country’s leading players invited to attend the New Zealand Under 20 development camp in Palmerston North in December. Players selected to attend the camp from 3-8 December are listed below. Players will reassemble in March before a squad of up to 32 players will be selected to play in the Oceania Championship in Australia in April. The final squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship, to be played in Argentina, will be named in May. Wellington players selected are: Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Marist St Pat’s), Iona Apineru (St Pat’s Silverstream), Callum Harkin (Wellington), Shamus Langton, Tane Te Aho, Taine Plumtree (Old Boys University), Pasi Uluilakepa (Petone), Reuben Va’a (Ories). Also: Connor Garden-Bachop (Canterbury), Jack Gray (Auckland), Billy Proctor (MSP – Super Rugby committements).

Read more here

Four-time New Zealand-born England international Thomas Waldrom has announced his retirement from rugby at 35. The Avalon loose forward this year spent one final season with home province Wellington after eight fruitful years in England playing for Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs. Nicknamed Thomas 'the Tank Engine', Waldrom on Monday revealed he was hanging up his boots, saying it was a hard decision to call time on a professional career spanning 17 years. Waldrom, who played four tests for England from 2012-13, started (2001-09) and finished (2018) with Wellington after stints with Hawke's Bay (2009-10), the Hurricanes (2004-08) and the Crusaders (2009-10). Read more here 

The Wellington Pride are set for Saturday's Women's NPC Championship final against Otago Kick-off at Jerry Collins Stadium is 1.00pm. In one change to the starting XV, Ayesha Leti'L'iga returns from Samoa to the left wing for  Dhys Faleafaga and in two changes on the bench, Dhys drops in there with Reijeli Uluinayau dropping out, and Gina Willimson in for Kiri Mei as loose forwards cover. 

Read more here 

Kent Harris has been reapointed as the Head Coach of the Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles for 2019. Harris' Eagles will be looking to build on their semi-final success in the Jubilee Cup this year. 

Lock forward Isaiah Walker-Leaware (Poneke) and utility back Matt Proctor (Ories) have been selected in the Maori All Blacks for their upcoming tour of the USA and South America, playing matches on 3, 10 and 17 November. 

Wellington Lions captain Matt Proctor has made the wider All Blacks squad to prepare for the upcoming Test against Japan on 3 November and is in line to make his Test debut should he earn selection. Dane Coles, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara and Asafo Aumua (also the Japan squad) have also made the extended squad that will also play tests against Auatralia on 27 October and then England, Ireland and Italy later in November. 

In a day where the weather was more reminiscent of mid-winter than mid-spring, St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream and Nga Wahine Toa collected the Winners trophies at the 5th Annual Hurricanes Secondary Schools Sevens Tournament, in Masterton. St Pat's Silverstream beat Napier Boys' High School 24-21 in the boys final. Read more here 

The Wellington Lions have qualified fourth for the Men's NPC Premiership semi-finals with the rest of this weekend's final round to spare with a bonus point win over Taranaki in New Plymouth on Friday night. In turn, Taranaki have been relegated from the Premiership to the Championship for 2019. Wellington 34 (Vaea Fifita, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Matt Proctor, Malo Tuitama, Sitiveni Paongo tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2con, pen, Trent Renata con) Taranaki  10 (Warwick Lahmert try; Beaudein Waaka con, pen) Halftime: 12-10. 

Poneke hooker Dane Coles and Wellington Axemen flanker Vaea Fifita return to the Wellington Lions squad for their crunch NPC Round 9 and John F Henning Trophy clash with Taranaki on Friday night. Coles returns from a serious knee injury to the bench, while Fifita returns from All Blacks duty. There are other changes too, to view these visit here 

The Avalon Wolves Rugby Football Club have announced their Premier coaching team for 2019. Head coach is Makea Pokere, former Premier and represenative player and player/coach of the Avalon and Centurions U85kgs this year. Forwards coach is Brendan Owens, Pokere's former school and represnative teammate. Backs coach is Cameron Cross, long-serving Avalon utility back. The managers are Luisa Tuisamoa and Blair Finlayson.

Recent Johnsonville Premier assistant coach Garry Archer passed away in Auckland this week. Archer was a well-liked and respected coach and Wellington club rugby figure and will be deeply missed. At the start of this year he was appointed as the Wellington Girls U18 coach, who are currently at their tournament in Napier. News on Funeral Date and time to be confirmed.

The Wellington Lions earned a vital competition bonus point in their 24-29 loss to Auckland on Thursday in their NPC Round 8 and Fred Lucas Memorial Trophy match. The Lions led 24-10 early in the second half but were run down late in the match by the competition leaders. The losing bonus point gives them a buffer from fourth to fifth placed North Harbour who play Counties Manukau this weekend. The Lions play Taranaki in their final round-robin fixture next Friday. 

The Wellington A team will meet Hawke's Bay A in the Don Broughton Shield final and the Wellington Development side will play Hawke's Bay Development in the Saracens Cup decider in Thursday's Hurricanes U16 tournament finals.

On Tuesday, Hawke's Bay A lowered Wellington A 32-22, while the Hawke's Bay Development side defeated East Coast 68-6.

Read more here 

Captain Matt Proctor and Jackson Garden-Bachop will start in their 50th matches for the Wellington Lions when they meet Auckland at Westpac Stadium on Thursday night. Proctor, who missed the Lions last NPC match against Tasman, returns at centre in one of three changes to the starting XV. Mateaki Kafatolu comes in at openside flanker in place of the injured Du'Plessis Kirifi while Thomas Umaga-Jensen is promoted from the bench to start in the midfield. Proctor's return sees a number of positional changes to the backline where Wes Goosen moves from centre to fullback while Ben Lam moves from the back to the left wing. Read more here

Paremata-Plimmerton have today announced Justin Wilson as their Premier head coach for the 2019 season. Wilson returns to coaching after taking 2018, having previously been co-coach at HOBM and then four seasons at Wainuiomata, including a trip to the 2014 Jubilee Cup final. He replaces Phil Gibb and Mike Hunter at the helm at Ngati Toa Domain

All Black Centurion Ma’a Nonu will return to the Blues for the 2019 Super Rugby Championship.The 36-year-old will bring his rugby career full circle in New Zealand, after playing for Toulon in the French Championship for three years.After deciding it was time to return to New Zealand with his wife Andrea and three children, the powerhouse midfielder has taken up a 12-month contract with the Blues, which will be his third stint with the Super club.

For all Men's and Women's NPC teamlists, Draws & Results and Heartland Championship compeitions Draws & results visis www.clubrugby.co.nz/national 

Or click here 

The Tawa College First XV finished their season on a high at Jerry Collins Stadium on Wedesday night, beating Aotea College 24-10 and won the Beard Trophy. Tawa College out scored Aotea four tries to two in wet conditions.  

The Wellington Pride beat the Hawke's Bay Tuis 52-17 (eight tries to three) on a heavy field in Ashhurst on Saturday in a pre-season fixture. The Pride play the same side again this coming Saturday in Napier in the opening round of the Farah Palmer Cup Women’s NPC competition.

It’s a little over a fortnight until the New Zealand Barbarians National 1st XV Championships (Top 4) take place in Palmerston North. This weekend is a pivotal one in the race for those places, and we take a look at what’s left in each region. Read more here 

The NZ Amateur Sports Association extends a cordial invitation to all interested in attending the first of its regional seminars, focusing on the role of amateur sport in the community.

On Wednesday, 26 September, an expert panel comprising Dr. Rachel Batty (from Massey University), Will Caccia-Birch (from Wellington Rugby) and Matt Reid (from the Hutt City Council) will consider the following questions.

- What does it take to create a successful community sports event?

- What are the challenges and pitfalls, and how can they be avoided or resolved?

- How can a community sports event’s success be measured?

Read more here 

The Wellington U19s beat the Hawke's Bay U19s 47-7 in their opening match of the Central Region Shield tournament on Sunday at Westpac Stadium. The Wellington U19s galloped to a 40-0 halftime lead and eased to victory in the second half. 

St Mary's College beat Porirua College 44-15 to win the Wellington Schoolgirls title for the third consecutive year. 

Video highlights of the final here 

Thomas Waldrom is back home after a decade plying his trade in the UK and he has nothing to prove But the 35-year-old knows he still has a valuable job to do as he eyes up a season with the Wellington Lions in the Premiership section of the Mitre 10 Cup [National Provincial Championship]. Read more here 

World Rugby has announced that Sir Bryan Williams (Ponsonby) is one of five legends of the game to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame for 2018. The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, while also demonstrating rugby's character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect. Crusaders Assistant Coach Ronan O’Gara will also be inducted alongside Williams, Liza Burgess (Wales), Stephen Larkham (Australia) and Pierre Villepreux (France). Williams is the 22nd New Zealander to be inducted, along with the 1888 New Zealand team.

For the first time since 2009, Horowhenua-Kapiti has won the Hurricanes Under 20 Cup, following a Round 3 victory by 49-7 over Poverty Bay in Palmerston North. n the other Round 3 match, Wairarapa-Bush defeated Wanganui by 31-15 following a strong second-half performance, propelling Wairarapa-Bush into Runner-Up position for the Cup. The final Tournament Placings were: Horowhenua-Kapiti (1), 14 points; Wairarapa-Bush (2), 10 points; Wanganui (3), 5 points; Poverty Bay (4), 0 points.

At the conclusion of this tournament, the Heartland U20 team was named. Read more here 

The future of New Zealand rugby appears to be female as surging registrations from women partially offsets the decline in the number of male players. The Deloitte Sports Review: State of the Unions report released on Friday highlighted a collective decline in male player registrations for Mitre 10 Cup [NPC] unions (0.1 per cent from 2016 to 2017) - driven by an 8.9 per cent drop in senior grades (21 year older and over) as they decreased by more than 2,000 registrations. Since 2010, male senior grades have decreased in size by 11 per cent. However, the women's game is moving quickly in the opposite direction, with a staggering increase of 63.8 per cent in senior grade registrations since 2010. Read more here

A Wellington Lions XV defeated the Tasman Makos 22-19 in an NPC pre-season fixture in Renwick this afternoon. The Wellington team scored tries to Losi Filipo (Petone), Malo Tuitama (Ories), James O’Reilly (HOBM) and Du’Plessis Kirifi (Norths) in their win. The Wellington Lions squad gets named on Tuesday ahead of their NPC season opener next Sunday again Otao.

Ayesha Leti-l’iga, who scored 41 tries in 13 games for Oriental-Rongotai in Wellington Women's club rugby this year, has been reportedly been called into the Black Ferns squad. 

Visit Photos across the top of this page for some new photo galleries from club finals weekend. More galleries being added early in the week.

The Hurricanes had their awards this week, the winners were:

Player of the Year: Ngani Laumape
Finalists: Laumape, Ricky Riccitelli and Gareth Evans
Best & Fairest: Ben Lam
Team Man of the Year: Brad Shields
Finalists: Shields, Dane Coles and Ben May
Rookie of the Year: Fraser Armstrong
Finalists: Armstrong, Jamie Booth and Sam Henwood
Hunters Award: James Blackwell
Finalists: Jonah Lowe, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Five former Wellington players fill the 15 starting team roster for the Bay of Plenty Steamers NPC pre-season fixture against North Harbour on Friday. The players are: Solomona Sakalia (MSP), Valentine Meachen (MSP), Hoani Matenga (Wellington), Kane Le’aupepe (Johnsvonville) and Luke Campbell (OBU).

Wellington police found themselves in the hot seat during Bowls Wellington's AGM over their seemingly blanket opposition to several clubs' liquor licence renewals. More than 80 people, including a handful of MPs, attended the meeting on Tuesday night, seeking clarification on the police's surprise hard-line stance which was uncovered in July. Other sports clubs such as rugby clubs will be taking a keen interest in this. Read more here

The weather forecast for this weekend's finals day points to rain. Here's hoping it improves. For more go here (always more accurate than the Met Service site).

A number of players from the four clubs involved in Saturday's finals have been selected for the Wellington Lions XV's pre-season NPC match on Friday at Evans Bay Park against Auckland. This squad can be found on the WRFU's Facebook page, their version of a media release. Have they been pulled from the Jubilee and Hardham Cup finals? For example, Losi Filipo makes his long-awaited return from injury to play for the Lions XV on the wing on Friday - let's hope he is allowed to back up and play for Petone on Saturday. 

The Hurricanes missed out 12-30 to the Crusaders in their Super Rugby semi-final on Saturday night in Christchurch. The Crusaders won the match four tries to two. Julian Savea (Ories), Brad Shields (Petone) and head coach Chris Boyd (Tawa) are all now heading to the English Premiership competition. 

Congratulations to Wainuiomata second five-eighth Marvin Karawana who played his 100th Premier match today for Wainuiomata. Karawana, who played 34 NRL matches for the Newcastle Knights in a former career, celebrated with a 27-19 semi-final win over Johnsonville and his team will meet Petone in next week's Hardham Cup final. 

Hutt Old Boys Marist midfielder Brandyn Laursen has been handed a two-year ban after admitting charges that he used or attempted to use the banned substance Clenbuterol in 2014 and 2015. Laursen was given a 10-month credit for an early admission with the start date of his ban backdated to 4 June 2017, having only been notified of the charges immediately before the start of this club season. 

St Pat's Silverstream defeated St Pat's Town 52-10 at Evans Bay Park in their Wellington First XV Premiership and Traditional fixture. 

Visit Draws & Results above to view the draw and venues and referees for all this weekend's Wellington club rugby semi-finals. Teams named at the end of this week. 

Visit College Rugby to view this weekend's First XV Premiership draw.

Visit Photos above for several recent photo galleries loaded.

The Hurricanes scored a try in the first minute, then repelled a series of attempted comebacks with two tries to scrumhalf T.J. Perenara to beat the Hamilton-based Chiefs 32-31 Friday to reach the Super Rugby semifinals. Wing Julian Savea grabbed a long, looping pass from flyhalf Damian McKenzie out of the air and dashed 75m to score a try which rocked the Chiefs only 45 seconds after the kickoff. The Chiefs then hit back with a try to halfback Brad Weber and the teams were back on level terms at 7-7 after seven minutes. That set the tone for the majority of the match: the Hurricanes would edge ahead and the Chiefs, who never led, would respond. The Hurricanes were finally able to pull away with a contentious try to Perenara before halftime and another, more clear-cut effort in the second half. Winger Ben Lam then made the game safe with his 15th try of the season. Read more here

Wellington players Jackie Fereti-Patea (Petone), Monica Tagoai'i (Marist St Pat's), Marcelle Parkes (Marist St Pat's) and Jonah Ngan-Woo (Oriental-Rongotai) have been selected in thePat's) Black Ferns 28-player squad to play internationals against Australia on 18 and 25 August in Syndey and Auckland. The week before they play a 'game of three halves' match against the Bay of Plenty Volcanix and Auckland Storm in Tauranga. Tagoai'i, Parkes and Ngan-Woo are three of eight new caps in the squad.

Marist St Pat's prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen has been named to start in Friday night's quarter-final against the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium in what will be his 100th Super Rugby match.Toomaga-Allen, who brought up his 100th match for the club last week in Hamilton, will become just the 15th Hurricanes player to reach the milestone. The 27-year-old made his debut for the Hurricanes in 2012 against the Stormers alongside long-time teammates Ben May, TJ Perenara and Brad Shields.
He will be the fourth player this season to reach the mark after Beauden Barrett, Perenara and Shields.

The Porirua Combined Colleges side beat the Eastern Suburbs Combined Colleges match at Jerry Collins Stadium 37-10 on Friday night. Porirua won 7 tries to 2. They led 5 tries to nil at halftime but the Eastern Suburbs team (playing in Centurions jerseys) came back to score 2 tries of their own. 

Watch video highlights here 

The Hurricanes lost the match 26-28 but have earned a home quarter-final against the Chiefs again. The match is next Friday night at 7.35pm at Westpac Stadium. Watch highlights from Friday night's game in Hamilton here

Northern United lock Chris Middleton will come off the bench tomorrow to play his 100th Premier match for the first round champions. Fireman Middleton made his Premier debut in 2006 and also had a stint playing in the Waikato. 

The 2018 Women's NPC draw has been announced, featuring a short-sharp six-match round-robin series. Division 2 side Wellington has three home games, starting with a crossover match against the defending champions Canterbury. They open the season in Napier against Hawke's Bay on 1 September. The home games are:

• Sat 8 Sept 1.00pm Wellington v Canterbury Porirua Park Wellington
• Sat 15 Sept 11.30am Wellington v Otago Porirua Park Wellington
• Sat 6 Oct 1.00pm Wellington v Taranaki Porirua Park Wellington
• Sat 13 Oct Semi Final
• Sat 20 Oct Final

Ngani Laumape scored four tries for the Hurricanes in their 42-24 win over the Blues at Westpac Stadium on Saturday evening. The win moves the Hurricanes closer to a quarter-final spot and ends a three-match losing streak. The match was the 100th in Super Rugby for Hurricanes captain and England Test flanker Brad Shields. The Hurricanes next face the Chiefs this coming Friday in Hamilton.

Hurricanes captain Brad Shields (Petone) will return to the starting XV for his 100th Investec Super Rugby match against the Blues at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night. Shields became the 14th member of the Hurricanes centurions club when he played against the Highlanders last month having made 99 Super Rugby matches and the dramatic draw against The British and Irish Lions in 2017. Kick-off at Westpac Stadium on Saturday is at 7.35pm. 

The Petone Ponies won Wednesday night's Women's fixture against Marist St Pat's 63-0. Petone led 31-0 at halftime, doubling their lead in the second 40 minutes. This was Petone's first win three second-round matches. The remainder of the third round is this Saturday, with Paremata-Plimmerton taking on Northern United in Division 1 and OBU playing Avalon and HOBM meeting Poneke in the two Division 2 fixtures. 

The Les Mills Colts second round John E kelly Cup match last Saturday between first round winners Marist St Pat's and multiple champions Old Boys University was abandonded before halftime for alledged fighting. Club Rugby understands the hearing for this is this evening (Wednesday) and as such we will endevour to bring news of the outcome when known. 

Visit Photos above for several new galleries loaded from the recent weekend of rugby.

Fresh from embarrassing defeats to the Crusaders and Highlanders, the Hurricanes went one worse on Saturday night. The Brumbies are unlikely to be Super Rugby finals-bound any time soon, but they were a class above the Hurricanes in Canberra. Coming into this game they'd lost 13 in a row against New Zealand opposition and won just five matches, to the Hurricanes' 10, this season. But from 12-5 down at halftime, the Brumbies kicked away to win 24-12 and put the visitors' home playoff hopes in peril. "At a number of levels it was pretty average...that's a really flat and poor performance," said coach Chris Boyd of the match. "The Brumbies had to win tonight, to keep their hopes of playoffs alive, and the second half was probably the worst half of football in my four years here."

St Mary's College took a 70-12 win over to Feilding High School today in their schoolgirls friendly at Te Whaea. Feilding scored the game's first try, a 95-m strike, but the bigger, stronger Feilding forwards got on top and the floodgates soon opened. Props Laina Semu (4 second-half tries) and Nive Leota (one) scored five of their 12 tries. Read more and watch video highlights here 

Visit Photos above for a selection of new photo galleries from the weekend. More to be added. 

Avalon Wolves hooker Asafo Aumua won the Personality of the Year award at the Wellington Sports Awards on Wednesday night, while WRRA referee Ben O'Keeffe captured the Official of the Year gong. 

A couple of milestones and a notable return for Norths in tonight’s Jubilee Cup catch-up fixture. Daley Harper plays his 100^th Premier match for the club after his recent return from Australia and prop/No.8 Mike Ioapo his 50^th, while Faifili Levave will play his first game in Norths colours since early 2011 when he comes off the bench. Kick-off at Porirua Park is 8.00pm. 

The St Bernard's College First XV has beaten visiting side Hato Paora College from Hawke's Bay 31-7 in their annual traditional match this afternoon. 

Northern United beat Poneke 27-23 in their Jubilee Cup round one catch-up match tonight at Jerry Collins Stadium. Norths won the match in the 78th minute with a try from an attacking scrum in the clubrooms corner scored by replacement halfback Tom Finai. Finai's try was also the bonus point try. Norths are now two from two to start the Jubilee Cup and Poneke are none from two. Norths have their bye this Saturday and Poneke host Tawa. In slippery conditions, Poneke scored three tries in the first half and led 20-10 just before halftime. Norths kicked a penalty on halftime to close the score to 13-20. Poneke got those three points back and led 23-13 before a try to Norths captain Parekura Lalaga closed the gap to 23-20 and then a late scramble saw Finai come up with the winner.

The U20s were mown down in the second half by the Junior Springboks on Monday morning in their U20 World Championship 3rd v 4th fixture. After leading 25-12, South Africa came back to win 40-30. France won the final. Read more here 

Petone's Brad Shields is set to start at blindside flanker in Durban for England against South Africa in the second test in the wee small hours of Sunday morning. Read more here

The Northern United v Poneke Premier and Premier Reserve rescheduled games from last Saturday have been confirmed, the new time and dates being: 

Ed Chaney Cup:Northern United v PonekeWednesday 20 June6:30pmPorirua Park #1 

Jubilee Cup:Northern United v PonekeWednesday 20 June8:00pmPorirua Park #1

Greg Mullany (Old Boys University), Matt Mullany and Teara Henderson (both Johnsonville) and Shahn Eru (Wainuiomata, currently playing in France)  are heading off to Rarotonga this coming weekend for camp and then on to Hong Kong to play in RWC qualifying matches. The Cook Islands will play home and away tests against Hong Kong, who recently beat Korea at to win the Asia Rugby Championship. The winner on aggregate will advance to November's four-team repechage tournament, with the repechage winner qualifying for next year's World Cup. Read more here

Old Boys University and former Wellington Lions halfback Tomasi Palu has drawn the curtain down on his career. He has retired on medical advice, after sustaining a neck injury in his team's Swindale Shield 12th round 45-50 loss his former team Northern United. 

A complaint lodged by Petone on Friday alleging breach of two Poneke players’ eligibility in the Swindale Shield has been withdrawn.An independent committee of the Rugby Board convened on Saturday morning to hear the matter, which resulted in the Northern United v Poneke premier and premier reserve fixtures being deferred, whilst an outcome was sought on the complaint.The committee reserved its decision overnight; however, following a subsequent complaint brought by Poneke on Sunday, the committee found that the Petone club had also breached the player eligibility rules for playing an unregistered player in the Swindale Shield. As such, both clubs have now withdrawn their respective complaints and the matter is closed. Wellington Rugby will now work closely with the Northern United and Poneke clubs to reschedule yesterday’s deferred fixtures in the Jubilee and Ed Chaney Cups.

The Chiefs will host the Hurricanes on Hicks Park at the TSB Hub in Hawera, on Thursday 21 June. The two teams will be using this match as motivation to prepare for the business end of the Super Rugby season. The teams will then face off again in the final round of the Super Rugby competition on Friday 13 July in Hamilton. The game starts at 1pm on Thursday 21 June and entry is free.

Three years ago this week, Northern United and Wellington rugby lost one of its favourite sons, Jerry Collins, who died in a car accident in France. Rest in peace Jerry Collins - gone but not forgotten.

Acacia Te Iwimate (Petone) has been selected in a 33-strong Kiwi Ferns wider squad ahead of preparations for the Kiwi Ferns, Kiwis and Junior Kiwis triple-header to be held in Auckland on 13 October.

To view several new photo galleries from the weekend, and more being uploaded frequently, visit Photos across the top of this page.

Ollie Sapsford (Wellington Axemen) bagged four tries and eight other individuals crossed the whitewash once in the Wellington XVs 78-14 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti this afternoon in Levin. The Wellington XV led 38-14 at halftime, laying on 42 unanswered points in the second spell. Tries: Ollie Sapsford (4), Andrew Wells, Greg Foe, Ben Aumua-Peseta, Tupou Sopoaga, Will Mangos, Sitiveni Paongo, Matt Peni, Andrew Ellis. Conversions: Pakai Turia (4), Dale Sabbagh (4), Andrew Wells. 

The 2018 Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup draws will both be released by the WRFU late afternoon or early evening Monday - look out for them then on WRFU channels. 

Former Upper Hutt Rams fullback Jason Woodward has been selected in England's party for their upcoming tour of South Africa. Woodward makes the squad out of Gloucester, after moving there from Bristol last year. Read more here

The Wellington Axemen scored a try to fullback Matt Day and kicked a conversion through first five-eighth Te Raina Richards-Coxhead with the last play of the game to beat the Upper Hutt Rams 49-47 in their 13th round Swindale Shield match at the JCS tonight. Tyler Tane scored a hat-trick for the Rams in the first half half as they led 26-19 at halftime. 

Ma'a Nonu is leaving French giants Toulon and taking time out to assess his rugby future.The double World Cup winner confirmed his intentions on Wednesday (NZT). "I have decided to take a step back from rugby to spend time with my family and assess my options for the future," the 36-year-old midfield back said in a post on his Instagram account. Perhaps he might appear for Ories again. Read more here 

As well as the midweek First XV Traditional on Wednesday between Wellington College and St Pat's Town (kick-off 1pm) and the Beard Trophy contest between Porirua College and Mana College at the JCS (kick-off 7.30pm) there are two club games under lights this week. First up on Wednesday night at Evans Bay Park Artificial the MSP and Petone Women clash (kick-off 6.30pm) and second on Thursday night at the JCS the Wellington Axemen and the Upper Hutt Rams meet (kick-off 7.00pm). 

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Three Wellington players are part of 28 players offered inagural Black Ferns contracts, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced today. Dhys Faleafaga (St Mary's College and Northern United), Joanah Ngan-Woo (Ortiental-Rongotai) and Marcelle Parkes (Marist St Pat's) have been offered contracts. All three are selected as forwards. The 28 contracted players include 17 Black Ferns from the 2017 World Cup winning side.

Visit College Rugby to follow the country's leading First XV competitions in 2018, including the Wellington Premiership that starts this coming weekend. 

For more visit here 

Congratulations to Wainuiomata midfield and outside back Michael Lealava'a for playing his 100th Premier match on Saturday. Lealava'a, who has been playing in Wainuiomata's starting XV since 2007, lined up at second five-eighth in his team's 22-43 home loss to Tawa.  

Northern United's Perry Hayman is set to play his 100th Premier match when he lines up at centre for Northern United against Oriental-Rongotai on Saturday in the 11th round of the Swindale Shield. Former amateur golf ace Hayman played his first game for Norths at the start of 2009 and has been a regular selection since 2012.

Northern United beat Oriental-Rongotai 36-32 in a lively Friday night Les Mills Colts Division 1 clash at Te Whaea. Norths outscored Ories 3 tries to 2 in establishing a 17-15 halftime lead. Ories had the first of two players sent to the sin-bin just before the break, these two yellow cards proving costly. Playing into the wind, Ories scored their second try to take a 22-17 lead, Norths scored their bonus point try to go ahead 24-22, Ories kicked a penalty to go ahead 25-24, but Norths scored consecutive tries to move ahead 36-25. Ories deserved their try at the end that gave them 2 bonus points from the defeat. 

Visit the Photos menu across the top of this page to view several more photo galleries from the weekend and more being added on a regular basis. 

England have called up former  Stokes Valley Junior Rugby Club and  Hurricanes captain Brad Shields for their tour of South Africa after New Zealand Rugby (NZR) released him from his contract. NZR said there were "clear legal grounds" to oppose Shields' request, but allowed it "by special exception". "Brad has been an exceptional leader inside the Hurricanes and a loyal servant to New Zealand Rugby," it said. England head coach Eddie Jones sees the 27-year-old flanker as part of his plans up to next year's World Cup. New Zealand-born Shields, who qualifies for England through his parents, will join Wasps later this year. Read more here

There have been significant changes to lower grade club rugby grades this week. The First Grade and Reserve Grade competitions restart and the 20 teams have been split into three divisions - First Grade, Reserve Grade and Social Grade. The past matches are null and void and the points tables are reset to zeros.New draw issued for this week splitting 20 teams into three competitions.

Wellington College was well beaten by Palmerston North Boys' High School on Saturday An account of their 20-57 loss and other results is here 

Petone players Kaliopasi Uluilakepa and Carlos Price will ride the pine tonight for the New Zealand Under 20s in the third and deciding match for the Oceania Championship title against Australia. Kick-off is at 9pm. 

Paul Tupai, who started his then amateur rugby career in the Bay of Plenty 28 years ago has retired from rugby. The 43-year-old's final match was recently for the Bedford Blues against Richmond in England. He played over 1,000 matches and is believed to be the last player to retire who was playing in 1996 when rugby went professional. Loose forward Tupai left Bay of Plenty after 115 caps for the Steamers for England in 2005 where he played for the Northhampton Saints, soon after playing internationals for Samoa. 

Lots more photos galleries continue to be added to Photos above - cheer on your favourite team in pictures from your phone or laptop. 

The Old Boys University Green Colts side re-entered the winner's circle on Friday night under lights at Te Whaea with a 42-12 win over the Upper Hutt Rams Colts in their third round Les Mills Paris Memorial Trophy Colts contest. The remaining matches are today. 

There are three current Wellington players named in the New Zealand U20 team to face Tonga in the opening match of the 2018 Under 20 Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast tonight (kick off 7pm NZT). There are: Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone), Carlos Price (Petone) and Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's). Additionally Will Tremain (Old Boys University) plays out of the Hawke's Bay. Following this match, they play Fiji on Tuesday and Australia on Saturday. All games are live on the internet on Bar TV.

The Swindale Shield teams have been named for the seventh round of the Swindale Shield on Anzac Day today. View them at the Draws & Results tab above.  

A full round of Premier Swindale Shield (2.45pm kickoffs) and Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield (1.00pm kickoffs) is being played on Wednesday. Previews on this website and on WRFU beforehand and the teams will also be named and expected to be published at Draws & Results (above) by early Wednesday morning. 

Poneke’s Greg Foe and the Wellington Axemen’s Alex Dalzell are the Billy Wallace competition Best & Fairest pacesetters after the opening five rounds of the Swindale Shield season. Poneke loose forward Foe is on 10 points and Wellington captain and lock-blindside flanker Dalzell is second on 8 points.Wainuiomata fullback and goal-kicker Justin Wilson and Marist St Pat’s centre Billy Proctor are joint second on 6 points, having collected Player of the Match points twice each.

Dion Waller has been confirmed as the head coach of the Wellington U19s this year, and will be assisted by Riki Flutey and Rodney So'oialo as his assistants. Petone’s Eugene Smith has been named as scrum coach. Former Ireland international Kurt McQuilkin has joined the Wellington Lions coaching team for the NPC. McQuilkin, who has had previous stints at defence coach for Leinster, joins head coach Chris Gibbes, back coach Andre Bell and scrum coach Alan Muir for the 2018 campaign which will see Wellington return to the Premiership.

Radio Sport's Saturday Rugby Club in association with Burger King returns to full coverage this coming weekend (Round Six). Their feature game this week is Northern United versus Tawa for the Sammy Saili Trophy - with Gordon Noble-Campbell  It is live on 1503AM and 1377AM (Kapiti) and IheartRadio anywhere.

The Poneke Colts retained the Misiluni Moananu Memorial Shield on Friday night after beating the Wellington Axemen 33-21. The Shield is in honour of Misiluni 'Luni' Moananu, who passed away in November 2015 after a short battle with bowel cancer. 

Misipalauni Moananu is Poneke's new Premier Head Coach for the remainder of the 2018 season, replacing Mason Lawrence & Roy Kinikinilau. Misipalauni has played over 250 Premier matches for Poneke and has been coaching the Premier Reserves as well. 

View Photos above to see several new photo galleries from the just-completed weekend of rugby 

It has been confirmed that Poneke will go into the fourth round of the Swindale Shield tomorrow with a new set of coaches, after the departure midweek of Mason Lawrence and Roy Kinikinilau. The pair parted ways with the club midweek following discussions with some of the players. 

Gordon Noble-Campbell and Adam Julian will be broadcasting this Saturday's Swindale Shield match between Poneke and Northern United for the Cyril Collett Memorial Shield, from Kilbirnie Park on "The Rugby Round-Up", 1161AM from 2.30pm.Listeners can also live-stream on teupoko.co.nz. The Shield has been competed for since 2008. The Collett (wider) family were prominent in Wellington Rugby from at least 1899, particularly in the Hutt Valley Clubs (Kia Ora, Petone, Hutt and Waiwhetu).

View Photos above for a selection of photo galleries from the third round of Swindale Shield fixtures. More galleries added every week. 

Brendan Gard’ner has been re-appointed as WRFU President for 2018. He will be joined again by vice-presidents Murray Blandford, Ina Hansen and Robin Dodd while Martin Isberg was elected a new vice-president.Wellington rugby stalwart Wayne Guppy was admitted a life member of the union for his outstanding service to the sport in the region. The WRFU posted a $204,000 surplus at its AGM during the week.

Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone), Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's) and Carlos Price (Petone) are the three Wellington players named today in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming U20 Oceania Rugby Championship. The Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship will see New Zealand play matches against Tonga (27 April), Fiji (1 May) and Australia (5 May). The team will be looking to claim the fifth title in as many years. The World Rugby Under 20 Championship kicks off in France in May. New Zealand will face Japan, Wales and Australia in pool play.

The Northern United versus Wellington Axemen Premier and Premier Reserve third round clashes have been brought forward to this Thursday night at the JCS. This is by mutual agreement, owing to Easter festivities for some of the players involved. 

The Hurricanes U20s are playing the Chiefs U20s tomorrow in Taupo. More details coming if released. 

Avalon's Kat Whata-Simpkins will be Wellington's sole representative in rugby at the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. The squads are:

Men: Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Trael Joass (Tasman), Vilimoni Koroi (Otago), Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman)
Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty), Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty), Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (Bay of Plenty) Travelling reserve: Caleb Clarke (Auckland)

Women: Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau), Stacey Waaka (Waikato), Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Sarah Goss (Manawatu), Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland), Kat Whata-Simpkins (Wellington), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Gayle Broughton (Bay of Plenty), Niall Williams (Auckland). Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty), Travelling reserve: Tenika Willison (Waikato)

View Photos above for a selection of galleries of first round Swindale Shield matches. New galleries added regularly. 

Can't make the opening round of club rugby at Upper Hutt today?

Head to Evans Bay Park at 1.00pm to watch the Hurricanes Development side take on the Blues Development team.

Local players in action are: Asafo Aumua (Avalon),Jeff Toomaga-Allen (MSP), Du'Plessis Kirifi (Northern United), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United), Billy Proctor (MSP), Chase Tiatia (HOBM), James O'Reilly (HOBM), Pasi Uluilakepa (Petone) and Will Mangos (OBU).

Kick-off times for this weekend's opening round of Swindale Shield and Harper Lock Shield have been amended. There are now staggered kick-off times in the Swindale Shield, from 2.30pm, 2.45pm, 3.00pm and 3.30pm. For more check Draws & Results across the top of this page.

The Dominion Post (formerly the Dominion) has dropped the ball badly on covering local sport, including abandoning the competition they themselves started in 1966 and ran for over five decades. The Billy Wallace Best and Fairest competition awards points in each Premier match on a 3,2 and 1 basis for ability and fair play. This year the match officials (referee and two sideline assistants) will be awarding the Billy Wallace points. This also means the Hardham Cup as well as the Jubilee Cup in the second round. Would a women’s competition work too? 

Napier Old Boys Marist have beaten Hutt Old Boys Marist 32-17 in the final of the Spillane Cup tournament this afternoon to defend their title. 

The HOBM Eagles beat Christchurch Marist Albion 22-20 on Friday to advance to Sunday's Spillane Cup final in Auckland. Captain Glen Walters kicked a last-gasp penalty to seal victory. HOBM will meet defending champions Napier Old Boys Marist in Sunday's final, while Marist Albion and hosts Auckland Marist will meet in the playoff for third and fourth. 

It’s a week before the local season kicks off. Here is what’s on:

• Wainuiomata v Upper Hutt Rams at William Jones Park, 1.00pm and 2.30pm.
• HOBM – Spillane Tournament, Auckland 
• Wellington v Napier Pirates (away)
• Johnsonville v Spotswood (away)
• Marist St Pat’s v Masterton Marist (away)
• Paremata-Plimmerton v Feilding Yellows (away)
• Old Boys University v Massey University (away)
• Petone, Northern United, Tawa, Avalon, Oriental-Rongotai, Poneke - internal pre-season days.
• Women’s pre-season: Oriental-Rongotai v Poneke at Rongotai College at 1.00pm and Northern United v Hutt Old Boys Marist at Porirua 2 at 11.00am. 
• Hurricanes Development and Wellington XVs v NZ U20s trialists at Palmerston North
• Super Rugby: Hurricanes v Crusaders at Westpac Stadium at 7.35pm. 

Tawa is hosting a touring Argentinian side La Salle Rugby tonight at Lyndhurst Park at 6.30pm. 

The Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby have announced that John Plumtree will take the Head Coach role for the 2019 Investec Super Rugby season. Plumtree will take over from Chris Boyd after the 2018 season with Jason Holland confirmed as his Assistant Coach with both contracted for three years. Boyd is leaving New Zealand at the end of this season to take up the role as Director of Rugby at English club Northampton. Plumtree and Holland have signed three-year deals through until the end of 2021. The final make-up of the coaching staff for 2019 and beyond would be finalised soon with the focus now being on the 2018 season.

Preparation for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship kicks into action in Palmerston North this week with 46 players selected for the first trial camp of the year.The camp begins on Thursday with a tight five clinic led by All Blacks scrum guru Mike Cron, before all players assemble for a five-day programme. Two trial teams will be selected to play Hurricanes Development and a Wellington XV on Saturday 10 March.

The Wellington players selected are: Xavier Numia (Oriental-Rongotai), Taine Plumtree ( Old Boys University), Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone), Carlos Price (Petone), Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat’s),

Former Wellington Pride and Black Ferns prop, Ponisitia (Tia) Paasi has passed away on from illness, aged 48. Paasi made her debut for the Black Ferns (player number 102) in 2001 against England in Rotorua and again wore the silver fern in 2007, for a total of four tests for her country. Paasi played women's club rugby for Johnsonville for a decade and also played for Poneke, Petone, Wainuiomata and Marist St Pat's. Tia’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday 6 March, 10am at St. Patricks Church, 3 Childers Terrace, Kilbirnie.

Scots College missed out to Feilding High School in the final of the Sir Gordon Tietjens 7s tournament in Palmerston North on Saturday. Read more here 

St Mary’s duo Cheyne Copeland and Dhys Faleafaga have been selected in an U18 Sevens rugby trial squad. The group will assemble in Wellington over 9-11 March from which a squad will be selected to prepare for April’s Oceania Rugby Under 18 Sevens Championship in Sydney, where they need to win to be in contention for a place at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October.

The Bulls new era under coach John Mitchell in Super Rugby is up and running after they recorded a hard-fought and vital 21-19 victory over fancied Hurricanes in Pretoria on Saturday. Though they emerged victorious their work was not without teething problems as at some stages they forgot the basics of being effective at this level to make things difficult for themselves.  Bulls 21 (Johnny Kotze, Lood de Jager, Pierre Schoeman tries; Handre Pollard 2 pen) Hurricanes 19 (Ricky Riccitelli, Wes Goosen, Beauden Barrett tries; Ihaia West 2 con). HT: 16-12. Read more here

The Wellington Maori Te Upoko O Te Ika team won the annual Central North Island Te Tini A Maui tournament in Levin, beating Whanganui Maori 31-5 in the final. On Saturday they beat Manawatu 50-0 and Hawke's Bay Maori 64-7. This was their third consecutive tournament win. 

World Cup-winning Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen has warned new law amendments for the breakdown could risk making rugby union resemble unlimited tackle rugby league. The new rules, already in force in the northern hemisphere, will be in evidence when New Zealand and Australia's teams begin their Super Rugby campaigns this week and will also be enforced during this year's Rugby Championship. Macqueen cited the recent Six Nations test between Ireland and Wales as an example of how the amendments could change the way the game is played by reducing the contest for possession at the breakdown. Late in the game Ireland put together a massive 41 phases of possession to get five-eighth Jonathan Sexton into a position to kick a winning penalty. Read more here 

Hastings Rugby & Sports won the 35th Hawke's Bay 7s tournament, beating Havelock North 12-5 in the Men's final at Waipukurau on Saturday evening. More results and Colts and Women's champions to follow.

Petone's Brad Shield will captain the Hurricanes to start the 2018 Super Rugby season, which features nine new players. The squad for the opening fortnight is:

Forwards; Toby Smith, Chris Eves, Ben May, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Ricky Riccitelli, James O'Rielly, Sam Lousi, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Brad Shields (c), Ardie Savea, Gareth Evans, Blade Thomson; Backs, TJ Perenara, Jamie Booth, Beauden Barrett, Ihaia West, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Julian Savea, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jonah Lowe.

The Upper Hutt Rams’ recent strong showing at the National Club Sevens tournament ended in the wet in Auckland this weekend. In often atrocious conditions, the Rams lost two of their three games on the opening day to miss out on the top 8 Cup quarter-finals. On day two they lost to eventual Bowl winners East Coast Bays (North Harbour) and beat Greerton Marist (Bay of Plenty) to qualify for the Shield final. They met Auckland’s Pakuranga in the Shield Final, leading 7-0 at halftime and then 14-7 late in the second half following a try off a 5m scrum to Josh Brown. Pakuranga scored on fulltime but missed the conversion and the Rams won 14-12 to finish 13th of 16 teams. Jack Wright made the tournament team.

Oriental-Rongotai wing Julian Savea will captain a youthful Hurricanes in weekend's Brisbane Global Tens tournament. Former New Zealand Sevens star Ben Lam who will provide a real attacking edge to the Hurricanes out wide along with Jonah Lowe who scored a hat-trick of tries in last week's pre-season win over the Crusaders in Greymouth. First five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop was another player to impress in Greymouth and he should enjoy the more open space the tournament provides. Up front there should also be a fair amount of interest in how some of the young players perform, including dynamic prop Alex Fidow and former Melbourne Rebels lock Murray Douglas. The Hurricanes will meet the Crusaders and Fiji on Friday night before they round out their pool matches against the Brumbies on Saturday.

It was the first game of a long year, but the Hurricanes have taken plenty of heart from their 43-22 pre-season win over the Crusaders in Greymouth on Friday evening. The Hurricanes lived up to recent weather carnage in the area by scoring seven tries, including a first half hat-trick to starting left wing Jonah Lowe. The Hurricanes led 24-5 at halftime and pulled further ahead to lead 36-5 before the defending champions came back. A crowd of 4,000 was on hand to watch the game. Both sides blooded plenty of new players and the two squads’next assignment is the Brisbane 10s next weekend. Elsewhere, the Blues overcame the Chiefs 45-19 in Te Kuiti and the Highlanders accounted for the Waratahs 55-29 in Queenstown on Friday. Hurricanes 43 (Jonah Lowe 3, Ben Lam, Julian Savea, Finlay Christie, Vince Aso tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 con, Ihaia West 2 con) beat Crusaders 22 (Billy Harmon, Jack Stratham, Tima Faingaanuku, Manasa Mataele tries; Brett Cameron con). HT: 24-5.

Former All Blacks and Marist St Pat's loose forward Victor Vito is among the shortlist of 15 for European rugby's top gong after his performances for La Rochelle. Vito, who was named last season's Top 14 player of the year in France, joined La Rochelle after winning a maiden Super Rugby title in his last match with the Hurricanes in 2016. The 30-year-old has been nominated for the European player of the year award (The Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy) for 2018 in a list dominated by players from French and Irish clubs. Read more here

Visit Draws & Results across the top of this page to peruse the first round 2018 Premier Swindale Shield (default draw on page) and first round 2018 Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield draw (use Change Competition menu). Both competitions kick off on Saturday 17 March. 

Ben O’Keeffe and Mike Fraser are the two Wellington's referees in the seven-strong national professional squad for the upcoming year, while Nick Hogan returns to the National Squad for the year ahead, in the list that has been released this week.

For a Day One wrap read here

The first games on Day 2 are below:

Men's Cup Quarter Finals:
11.30 Field 1 Waikato (Pool a winner) v Auckland
11.50 Field 1 North Harbour (Pool D winner) v Wellington
12.10 Field 1 Tasman (Pool C winner) v Manawatu
12.30 Field 1 Bay of Plenty (Pool B winner v Taranaki

Men's Bowl Quarter Finals:
10.05 Field 1 Counties Manukau v Mid Canterbury
10.25 Field 1 Hawke’s Bay v Southland
10.45 Field 1 Northland v Otago
11.05 Field 1 Canterbury v Wanganui

Women's Cup Quarter Finals:
10.05 Field 2 Waikato (Pool A winner) v Canterbury
10.25 Field 2 Bay of Plenty (Pool B runner-up) v Counties Manukau
10.45 Field 2 Auckland (Pool C winner) v Otago
11.05 Field 2 Manawatu (Pool B winner) v Wellington

Women's Bowl Semi Finals:
11.50 Field 2 Hawke’s Bay v North Harbour
12.10 Field 2 Southland v Poverty Bay

The Wellington Men’s and Women’s both had mixed days at the National Sevens in Rotorua today. The Wellington Men finished second in Pool B and will meet North Harbour at 11.50am in their Cup quarter-final match. The Men’s outfit beat Southland 24-5, beat Northland 26-5 and lost to Tasman 7-22 in their three matches on day one.

The Wellington Women finished third in Pool B behind Manawatu and Bay of Plenty, despite beating BoP 15-12 in their tournament opener. They smoked North Harbour 45-0 but a 5-38 loss to Manawatu and Manawatu's 12-19 loss to BoP and BoP's win over North Harbour as well meant Wellington finished third. This means they play Manawatu again in their quarter-final at 11.05am.

Lima Sopoaga has announced his departure from NZ rugby. His post on Instagram includes these words: "I'd like to thank the Highlanders, All Blacks, Southland and Wellington for the awesome experiences you have provided me with over the years. Thank you to all the fans for your support it's been one heck of a ride." Sopoaga leaves at the end of 2018 for Wasps in England.  

A mixed bag of results for the Wellington men's and women's sides at the BoP Sevens on Saturday. The women won three of their four matches, while the men could only claim one solitary success. Results:

Women
beat North Harbour 43-0
lost to Manawatu 7-14
beat Canterbury 32-12
beat Bay of Plenty 26-19

The team at Club Rugby wishes everyone a very merry Christmas and a relaxing and safe holiday break. From Mount Maunganui to New Orleans to Noosa, our contributors are having some time off too, re-charging batteries and getting set for a big year covering rugby from the ground up in 2018. 

New Zealand’s National Sevens Tournament will move to a new location and a new time of year to boost the number of top-level players available to play, New Zealand Rugby has announced today. The change will take effect after January’s  National Sevens in Rotorua, with the tournament then moving to Tauranga for the following three years starting in December 2018 where Tauranga Domain will play host to all the on-field action. This change will, in turn, affect local sevens tournaments followed by provincial qualifiers, which will presumably all be brought forward. Then the tail-end of representative season could be affected with players choosing one or the other. 

Asafo Aumua (Avalon) and referee Ben O'Keeffe have won major awards at the national end of season awards. Aumua is the Age Grade Player of the Season while O'Keeffe is the Referee of the Year. 

The 2018 Swindale Shield draw has been released today by the WRFU. 

View it at this link here 

Alama Ieremia has been tasked with turning around the fortunes of the problem Auckland provincial side. Ieremia's appointment as head coach for the next three seasons was announced on Monday by the Auckland Rugby Union. The 47-year-old former Hurricanes assistant and most recently in charge of the Manu Samoa setup takes over from Nick White who stepped aside at the end of a horror 2017 campaign that saw the Auks go 3-7 and narrowly avoid relegation from the Mitre 10 Cup's Premiership division. Read more here

Asafo Aumua and Ben O'Keeffe have both been nominated for awards at the 2017 National Rugby Awards. Aumua has been nominated in both the  New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year and Men's NPC Player of the Year award categories, while O'Keeffe is up for the Referee of the Year gong. Winners are announced on 14 December. 

Shannon Paku has been confirmed as the Manawatū Rugby Union's new chief executive. The 37-year-old former Manawatū, Wellington, Hurricanes and Blues outside back will take over from John Knowles, who announced in August he was stepping aside from the role at the end of the year. Manawatū Rugby Union board chairman Tim Myers said Paku would start the role in March and Knowles would stay on to help bridge the gap until he starts.  Myers said it was Paku's business acumen that put him on top of the pile. "He has owned his own business and has really good commercial awareness which at the end of the day tipped him over the line as opposed to the other applicants." Read more here

It would appear that New Zealand rugby player Robbie Fruean has finally lost his long-running battle with his health and been forced into a reluctant retirement. The UK's Sunday Times has reported that the 29-year-old Kiwi, currently plying his trade for Edinburgh in the Pro14 competition, looks like he has been "forced into retirement". The paper said the former Hurricanes, Crusaders and Chiefs player had suffered further complications to a delicate heart condition that had seen him undergo two open-heart surgeries and two further cardiac procedures. Former Northern United player Fruean's final act playing in Wellington was scoring four tries for Wellington B against Canterbury B on Porirua Park in 2009.  Read more here

Tawa have gone big in 2018, securing an experienced international coaching team of Steve So’oialo (Rugby Development Officer), Dion Waller (Director of Rugby) and Rodney So’oialo (Technical Advisor). Adding to this powerhouse are the return of former Premier players and 2017 coaches Vice Saletele (Head Coach) and Douglas Fletcher (Forwards Coach). The services of new recruit Damian Rapira-Davies (Backs Coach) has also been secured and he will take on the role of Premier backs coach after a successful stint running the Wellington Axemen’s 7’s programme.

The Wellington Development Squad won today's sixth annual Piri Weepu 7s tournament at William Jones Park. The tournament went ahead as a seven-team event, also featuring teams representing home club Wainuiomata, Scots College, the Te Aroha Eels, Petone, Marist St Pat's and the Wellington Fijians. The Development side beat Scots College 33-5 in the final. The Development team included former St Pat's Town and Poneke fullback Sosi Tuimavave returning from Southland and from injury, while the Scots College selection included senior players Hayden Schrijvers and Sheridan Rangihuna in their ranks. Scots College head to the National Condor 7s next weekend, while the Central Region Provincial 7s is in Levin in a fortnight.

The Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club are hosting an abbreviated Piri Weepu Sevens tournament, running at William Jones Park from 9am-1pm approximately. The teams and pools are:

• Pool A - Wainuiomata, Wellington Development, "Mana Old Boys", Upper Hutt Rams
• Pool B - Petone, MSP, Scots College, Wellington Fijians

From 1.30 pm onwards the Wainuiomata club is hosting a family fun day. BBQ in operation all day. Drinks for sale. Clubrooms are open inside. All welcome.

The days of drawing large crowds of passionate fans to national provincial championship rugby matches seem to be over. Being able to watch a game on television in the comfort of your own home or the pub, busy lifestyles, having too many games of rugby on in a season or struggling to justify the financial costs of attending a game with the family are just some of the reasons we see so many empty seats at games. The Mitre 10 Cup [Men's NPC] is a provincial competition, featuring a large number of club rugby players at a level below professional Super Rugby and maybe it is time to instil some of the grassroots values from club rugby to appeal to the staunchly loyal rugby supporters. Read more here

Brad Shields (Petone) has announced that he will leave New Zealand Rugby at the conclusion of the Hurricanes 2018 Super Rugby campaign after signing up to play for Wasps in England. Shields has played 86 matches for the Hurricanes and 60 matches for the Wellington Lions. “It’s good to have my playing future confirmed nice and early so I can focus 100 per cent on the Hurricanes,” he said. “I’m passionate about the Hurricanes and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure I give everything I’ve got to my final season at the club.” Shields said taking the decision to leave New Zealand Rugby was a tough one, but right one for himself and his family.

The Upper Hutt Rams went down 14-19 to home club Napier Old Boys Marist in the final of the NOBM Invitational 7s on Saturday. The Rams had beaten Northern United 36-5 in their quarter-final and defeated TBC 17-15 in a thriller. The Player of the Tournament was Jack Wright (pictured).

The Wellington Sevens team (14 players) to play in the Counties Manukau Sevens tournament in Pukekohe on Saturday is:

1. Fala Tuala. 2. Paddy Hughes, 3. Esi Komaisavai, 4. Varani Komaisavai, 5. Dale Sabbagh, 6. Losi Filipo, 7. Levi Harmon, 8. Sione Ma'u, 9. Ryan Setefano, 10. Leon Ellison 11. Romu Senilebu, 12. Jaylen Tuapola, 13. Hayden Schrijvers, 14. Dan Schrijvers

Following a successful 2017, with the Women’s Premier side reaching the Victoria Tavern Trophy final for the first time in a number of seasons, Old Boys University has reappointed Last season’s head coach and Wellington Pride forwards coach, Gary Hilsdon for 2018, to be assisted by Mui Liumaihetau as forwards and set-piece coach.“I’m excited to have the opportunity to build on the success of last year,” says Gary. “Mui brings a wealth of experience to the forwards coaching role, and it was apparent last year that the gains made by the players were in no small part down to his input.” “We have a core of seasoned and returning players who bring experience to the group. Add in some exciting new arrivals and we’ve got a great mix of good people to work with. Mui and I will look to maximise their potential for the benefit of the team and of their own rugby careers” Further appointments to the coaching and management team will be announced in due course. Gina Williamson is the club's new Women’s Rugby Development Officer.

Poneke hooker Dane Coles' rugby year from hell has taken another dark turn with the All Blacks hooker ruled out of the rest of the northern tour after suffering a serious knee injury with a ruptured ACL in Saturday night's (Sunday NZT) test against France in Paris. He will jet home immediately after Tuesday's game between the All Blacks and a French XV at Lyon's Groupama Stadium, joining the half-dozen called up from the Barbarians squad to supplement the touring New Zealanders. Coles' wrecked knee will require surgery and a recovery period his coach put in the four to six-month range, but will almost certainly sit around the longer part of that equation Read more here

The second Tawa 7s tournament at Lyndhurst Park on Saturday sees an eight-team shoot-out for the title. The Wellington Men's squad will be fielding two squads. The pools are: Pool A Toa, Wellington representative 1, Fijians, Tawa Red. Pool B: Te Aroha, Wellington Axemen, Tawa Blue, Wellington representative 2. 

Play gets underway at 9.00am, with the Plate and Cup semi-finals starting at 1.35pm and the Cup final scheduled for 3.25pm. 

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck would be a bonus but [former Wellington College First XV player] Nelson Asofa-Solomona would be the big prize. If you were to draw up a list of rugby league players New Zealand Rugby should be pursuing, the big Storm prop would be at the top. Tuivasa-Sheck is a talent but hell will grow frosty before New Zealand lacks for options in theoutside-backs. Big men - genuinely big men such as Asofa-Solomona - are harder to find.  If you have not been watching the Rugby League World Cup you have missed not only Samoa and Tonga's raw emotion but Asofa-Solomona's emerging talent. Sure, the Kiwis will encounter stiffer and more sober opposition than Samoa and Scotland but Asofa-Solomona's ability has been there for all to see. At 200cm and 120kg he is physically dominant and has been punching some holes, but it's his ability to run great lines and use his nice hands that would have coaches in both codes purring. Read more here

Rugby player numbers in New Zealand remained strong in 2017, due largely to growing numbers of females of all ages signing up. In 2017, almost one in six registered players were female, with more than 24,000 girls and women lacing up their boots, an increase of 11 percent on 2016.

Asafo Aumua (Avalon) is set to make his All Blacks debut off the bench this weekend against the Barbarians at Twickenham. The starting XV includes Vaea Fifita (Wellington FC) at six, Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) at seven, TJ Perenara (Northern United) at halfback and Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Marist St Pat's) on the bench. 

Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United) is on the bench and Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai) is on the left wing for the Maori All Blacks in their match against Canada in Vanvouver. 

Wellington Axemen prop Anthony Ellis will start at hooker for the New Zealand Heartland XV (representing Buller) against the New Zealand Marist team tomorrow at Timaru in their  McRae Cup clash. 

There are eleven new players in the Hurricanes squad for 2017, including first-time Hurricanes from Wellington, new All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua (Avalon), prop Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai) and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke) and Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United).

Additionally, Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata - Highlanders), Regan (Verney (OBU - Chiefs)and Leni Apisai (Northern United - Blues) join other squads for the first time.

Other recent Wellington/Wellington club players in other squads include Daniel Kirkpatrick (Petone - Blues), Murphy Taramai (Upper Hutt Rams - Blues), Kayne Hammington (Upper Hutt Rams - Highlanders), Lima Sopoaga (OBU - Highlanders), Charles Ngatai (Poneke - Chiefs) and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Johnsonville - Chiefs).

Four Wellington players have been selected in a 52-player squad to attend the New Zealand Under 20 Development Camp in the first week of December as coach Craig Philpott begins preparation for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship. These players are: Xavier Numia (Oriental-Rongotai), Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Petone), Carlos Price (Petone) and Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's).

Petone Rugby Club invites all interested Premier, Colts and Women’s players to attend an information night at the Petone club rooms on Wednesday 1st of November from 5.30pm. New Premier coaching trio of Jeremy ‘Goldie’ Little, Piri Weepu and Chris ‘Bushy’ Molenaar will be giving details on the pre-season as well as what to expect for the 2018 season. This is an exciting opportunity to check out a club with big plans for 2018. The bar will be open from 530pm, with a complimentary BBQ following the presentations. For any further details please contact Goldie on 027 522 3263.

Poneke's Levi Harmon will have the opportunity to pull on the black jersey with the development men’s sevens team competing offshore over the next two weeks. he New Zealand Men’s Development squad features several players who had stand-out Men's NPC campaigns and will compete at the San Jose Sevens next weekend. 

Anthony Ellis (Wellington Axemen), playing out of Buller, has made the New Zealand Heartland XV to play their 2017 fixture against New Zealand Marist, on Saturday 4 November.

McLean Park's status as the Hurricanes' home away from home appears in no jeopardy. Drainage issues have seen the Napier venue lose hosting rights for three New Zealand one-day international cricket matches, but it will continue to successfully stage Super Rugby games. The Hurricanes will come to McLean Park for their eleventh time, on April 6, when they meet the Sharks in a Friday-night round-eight clash. The team have won seven of their previous 10 games in Napier, including April's 56-21 win over the Brumbies. That followed the previous season's 56-20 thrashing of the Highlanders. Read more here

Asafo Aumua (Avalon) is one of six current Wellington players selected in the All Blacks end of year tour squad. The others are Dane Coles (Poneke), Jeff Toomaga-Allen (Marist St Pat's), Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) and TJ Perenaa (Northern United). Meanwhile, Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United) and Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai, selected out of Manawatuu) are in the Maori All Blacks touring party to Canada and France.

Tawa superboot James So'oialo kicked his Horowhenua-Kapiti side into the Meads Cup final this weekend, landing six penalty goals and all the points in his team's 18-17 win over Buller in the semi-final. They will host defending champions, Wanganui in an all-Hurricanes final, who beat South Canterbury 29-24 in the other semi-final. Curiously, the Meads Cup final is scheduled for Saturday where it could get lost in the broadcast traffic with other finals and sevens tournaments, whereas the second division Lochore Cup final has its own rugby window on Sunday. 

Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's) won the prestigious Al Keown Memorial Cup at the WRFU Lions and Academy awards on Monday night. The Al Keown Memorial Cup, named after the late Wellington Lions 1970s/80s prop, has been won by many well-known players in modern times. Meanwhile, Ollie Sapsford (Wellington) won the Ken Comber Memorial Cup, awarded to the player who best embraced the Academy philosophy.  Jake Quinn (Petone) won the Wellington U19 Player of the Year and Jackie Patea-Fereti (Wainuiomata) won the Wellington Pride Player of the Year and Regan Verney (Old Boys University) and Angel Uila (Petone) won the Wellington Pride Rookie of the Year.

The Wellington Pride lost 34-55 to Canterbury in their final Women's round-robin NPC match of the season today in Christchurch. The loss, plus Waikato's 43-34 win over Auckland, sees the Pride finish equal last with Manawatu in the Women's Premiership. Manawatu beat them earlier in the round-robin so it appears the Pride have been relegated to the second tier for next season. To be confirmed. 

Jamie Williams has been reappointed Premier Head Coach of Old Boys University after leading the club to the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup double in 2017. Jamie has made his mark in coaching in Wellington following his return from a long professional career including Harlequins and Bath in the UK Premiership, winning the Jubilee Cup as assistant coach in 2015 and as head coach this year. Jamie will once again lead a strong team with returning assistant coaches Michael Barnes and Rua Tipoki. Jamie will also welcome Greg Halford as assistant coach. Greg had a distinguished playing career with NZ Colts, Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Eastern Province (Super Rugby) and the Central Vikings and was last involved with OBU in 2002-03. The coaching group will once again be supported by trainer - Richie Macdonald, manager Hayden Smith with Brad “Patches“ Houlahan.

Oriental-Rongotai and the Wellington rugby community are mourning the loss of Rosalina Taituave this week. Rosalina Taituave was a foundation member of the Ories women’s team since its revival in 2012. She was diagnosed with cancer last year and got better at the beginning of this year. Unfortunately, it came back via a tumour in her arm, her lungs got infected and ultimately restricted her breathing. Lina was a part of the 2014 champion Ories women’s team and was also a member of the Pride. Her brothers Liu and Jacob have played for MSP and hooker Liu was the Best & Fairest winner in 2012. Her younger brother Siatua was the Wellington U16 Development captain this year.

Paremata-Plimmerton RFC is seeking expressions of interest for both coaches and managers for the 2018 season. More information can be found here: http://www.pareplimrugby.co.nz/large-gallery-article/coachesmanagers-needed-for-2018/169249/357878/

Tupou Sopoaga concedes his transition back into a rugby player has taken some working on. After a six-year stint playing rugby league in Australia, the former Wellington College player and brother of Lima is back in the 15-man code plying his trade. After stints with the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in the NRL Sopoaga returned last year to rugby union. It started with a season in the Australia's national domestic competition before a return to New Zealand where he has linked with the Southland Stags. While initially planning to slide back into New Zealand rugby relatively unnoticed, while playing for Woodlands in Southland club rugby, that changed dramatically when he found himself jumping straight into Super Rugby. Read more here 

The two Wellington teams have won the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council U16 tournaments today. The U16A side beat Hawke's Bay A 31-16 to retain the Saracens Cup, while the Wellington Development side defeated their Hawke's Bay counterparts 27-17 to defend the Saracens Cup.

Full round-up coming soon...

Following Tuesday's matches, in both Division A and Division B, it will be Wellington (the defending champions) against the two Hawkes Bay teams to determine the Hurricanes Under 16 Champion Titles for 2017. Manawatu will play Poverty Bay in the play-off for Third Place in Division A, while in Division B the Third Place for 2017 will be decided between Wanganui and Wairarapa-Bush. The finals are on Thursday in Wanganui. Follow the Hurricanes U16 Tournament here

The Wellington U16s A team beat Poverty Bay 46-12 on the first day of the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council's U16 tournament at Wanganui. The Wellington U16 Development had a non-compeititon 15-12 win over Hawke's Bay Development. For more read here

The Wellington U18s are playing the Tongan Schools U18 team today at Jerry Collins Stadium at 1.00pm. 

The team is: 1. Moala Katoa, 2. Manaaki Tiatia-Boyle, 3. Stanley Paese, 4. Tama Kapene, 5. Mellennium Leota, 6. AJ Hart, 7. Alex Faifailoa, 8. Mitchell Stringer, 9.Misi Famalo, 10. Malo Manuao, 1.1 Caleb Cavubati, 12. Connor Fitzsimmons, 13. Tai Neli, 14. Tominiko Maiava, 15. Jack Gray 16. Gabe Meredith, 17. Denzel Leota, 18. DJ Taoipu, 19. Junior Uluese, 20. Matiu Samuel, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Jason Tuitama.

Meanwhile, Off the Ball takes a break today owing to our coverage of this game and others in Palmerston North and Sydney. A bumper day of local rugby coming up on 7 October to lots to cover there.

Tawa lock/loose forward Joketani 'Chucky' Koroi will be a familiar face on Otago's bench on Sunday afternoon to play the Wellington Lions. Former Jubilee Cup winner Koroi is set to come off the pine in the second half in the 19 jersey. Sunday's Mike Gibson Memorial Trophy match kicks off at 2.35pm here 

Look out Argentina, he's back. Not that All Blacks flanker Vaea Fifita has probably left the heads of one or two Pumas. You imagine they still wake in the night with visions of him hurtling toward or over or around them. Left out of the New Zealand team that beat South Africa 57-0, the devastating blindside flanker will form a well-balanced loose trio with fetcher Matt Todd and skipper Kieran Read when they meet Argentina at Estadio Jose Amalfitani on Sunday morning (NZT). Fifita was more conspicuous on the left edge of attack, than the breakdowns, as the All Blacks battled to beat the Pumas 39-22 in their last meeting. Todd excels in that area, which you assume could give Fifita more licence to roam. Read more here

Wellington College captain Naitoa Ah Kuoi starts at lock and St Pat's Silverstream flanker Josh Southall is on the bench for the New Zealand Schools side to play Fiji in Syndey today. Meanwhile, Wellington College lock Taine Plumtree and Silverstream midfielder Kienan Higgins are in the Barbarians side to play Tonga in Palmerston North this afternoon. Read more here 

Four Wellington First XV players have been selected in NZ schools squads - two each from Wellington College and St Pat's Silverstream:

• New Zealand Schools’ team: Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington College) and Josh Southall (Silverstream)
• New Zealand Schools Barbarians team: Taine Plumtree (Wellington College) and Kienan Higgins (Silverstream)

Former All Blacks and Marist St Pat's loose forward Victor Vito has been named the 2017 French Top 14 Player of the Year. Vito who plays for French Club La Rochelle was awarded Top 14 Player of the Year after being nominated. Vito who played 33 tests for New Zealand and eight seasons for the Hurricanes before joining La Rochelle last year, beat out fellow nominees Clermont centre Remi Lamerat and Lyon flanker Carl Fearns for the honour.

Wellington Football Club is seeking expressions of interest from Coaches and Managers for the 2018 season for multiple coaching and management positions. To find out more about the Axemen, visit their website or Facebook page www.wellingtonfootballclub.org.nz / www.facebook.com/WellingtonAxemen To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to Club Captain, Walker Manaena or if you require any further information please contact:Walker Manaena Club Captain, Wellington Football Club walker.manaena@corrections.govt.nz or Charlie Fuller Rugby and Coach Development Officer, Wellington Football Club charlie.fuller66@gmail.com

North Harbour have announced the addition of Shaun Treeby to their Men's NPC squad. The 28-year-old Tawa midfielder was based in Capetown for much of the 2017 Super Rugby competition plying his trade for the Stormers, adding to his 50+ caps for the Highlanders, and 69 caps for the Wellington Lions. He said he can't wait. "Its great to be back in NZ, and the culture here is awesome. A great bunch of boys and looking forward to getting into it!"

49 secondary school rugby players have been selected to attend the three-day camp in late September and vie for places in the New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Barbarians Schools teams. Wellington players chosen are: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Taine Plumtree (both Wellington College) and Josh Southall and Kienan Higgins (both St Pat's Silverstream). 

The Wellington U19s have missed out 27-30 to North Harbour in their opening match of the Jock Hobbs U19 tournament at Taupo on Sunday. The Junior Lions will now contest the Plate semi-finals (5th to 8th) in the second round on Wednesday, with finals day next Saturday. 

Wellington representative results 9 September:  

Wellington Pride lost to Manawatu Cyclones; 27 to 35 Wellington U18 Girls beat Tasman U18 Girls; 112 to 0 Wellington U16A beat Norths Academy; 85 to 5 Wellington U16 Development beat Wairarapa Bush U16A; 60 to 0 Wellington U13 lost to Auckland U13; 22 to 12 Wellington Samoan beat Wellington Maori; 24 to 23 Wellington Centurions lost to Hawkes Bay; 14 to 24 Wellington Samoan U18 beat Wairarapa Bush U18; 31 to 10 Wellington Centurions U18 beat Horowhenua Kapiti U18; 39 to 5

The inclusion of Petone flanker and captain Mateak Kafatolu, MSP prop Ha'amea Ahio and Poneke mifielder Levi Harmon are three of seven changes to the Wellington Lions for their next NPC match against Tasman on Sunday afternoon. Kafatolu and Marist St Pats prop Ha’amea Ahio have both been called up from outside the initial Lions squad. Harmon and Kafatolu are both in line to make their NPC debuts.

Wellington Axemen's Vaea Fifita will earn his first Test start in his second Test at blindside flanker while Northern United's TJ Perenara will earn his 36th in international rugby when the All Blacks take on Argentina in New Plymouth on Saturday night. Poneke's Dane Coles will also start at hooker and Oriental-Rongotai's Ardie Savea at openside flanker. The All Blacks have won 23 and draw one of their previous Tests with Argentina.

Co-captain Leighton Price's immediate playing future remains uncertain after Taranaki drafted in veteran Samoa international Kane Thompson as injury cover for the remainder of the national provincial rugby competition. Thompson played the 2017 season for Johnsonville in Wellington club rugby. Read more here

WRFU rep team results from Saturday:

Wellington Pride beat Hawkes Bay 42 to 10
Wellington U19 beat Manawatu U19 15 to 7
Wellington Catholic Colleges beat Horowhenua-Kapiti U18 32 to 24
Wellington Maori beat Manawatu Development 32 to 22
Wellington Samoan lost to Hawkes Bay Development 15 to 31
Centurions U18 beat East Coast U18 79 to 0
Wellington Samoan U18 beat Poverty Bay U18 33 to 5
Wellington U18 Girls beat Taranaki U18 Girls 35 to 29

Former All Blacks forward Victor Vito has been shortlisted for French rugby's Top 14 player of the year award after a stellar season with beaten semifinalist La Rochelle. Vito is one of three players in line for the award with Lyon's England No 8 Carl Fearns nominated, as well as Clermont's French centre Remi Lamerat. Fearns scored eight tries in 19 games this season while Lamerat was a key figure in helping Clermont win the Top 14 title, and also progress to the European Champions Cup final where they lost to Saracens. The winner of the Top 14 player of the year will be announced in Paris on September 18. Read more here

There are six personnel changes to the team that started against Taranaki in round two and a further four in the reserves. Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Vaea Fifita re-join the squad from All Blacks duty. The changes allow first year Lions Du’Plessis Kirifi and Teariki Ben-Nicholas to have a well-earned rest, and similarly, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere replaces James Blackwell in the second row.
 In the backline, Marist St Pats fullback Andrew Wells takes the place of Trent Renata who has a tight hamstring and Malo Tuitama replaces his Ories teammate the Bus on the right wing. The mat at Rotorua International Stadium kicks off at 7.35pm on Thursday. 
 

England's reign as world champions was ended by a magnificent performance from New Zealand as the Black Ferns ran in seven tries in Belfast to win 41-32. A penalty try and the first of Lydia Thompson's double helped England lead 17-5 approaching the break. But it was a narrow advantage having dominated territory and possession, and the Black Ferns then took control. Prop Toka Natua led the way with a hat-trick as New Zealand became world champions for the fifth time. Flying full-back Selica Winiata grabbed a brace and Charmaine Smith and Kendra Cocksedge also went over as the Black Ferns regained the mantle of world champions, which England had held since beating Canada to win the title in 2014. Read more here

Poneke hooker Dane Coles returns for this 50th Test this Saturday against Australia in Dunedin. The matchday 23 features just three changes from last week's team, all in the forwards. Hooker Coles returns to the front row for what will be his 50th Test, with Codie Taylor moving to the bench. Prop Kane Hames comes onto the bench replacing Wyatt Crockett, while Scott Barrett is the reserve lock, in for Luke Romano, who has a minor foot niggle. Lock Sam Whitelock will play his 90th Test this weekend.  28-year-old Whitelock is the most capped All Blacks lock of all time. The All Blacks have played Australia 159 times with 110 wins to the All Blacks, 42 to the Wallabies and seven draws.

The Wellington Lions opened their NPC season with a 41-29 win over the Manawatu Turbos in Palmerston North this afternoon. Scores:Wellington Lions 41 (Sheridan Rangihuna, Alex Fidow, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Malo Tuitama tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, Dan Kirkpatrick pen) Manawatu 29 (Willy Ambaka, Curtis Reid, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jackson Hemopo, Jade Te Rure tries; Otere Black 2 con) HT 26-22

Fullback Trent Renata, second five Regan Verney, wing Ben Lam and openside Du’Plessis Kirifi have been named to start in Palmerston North on Sunday for the Wellington Lions, while halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and loose forward Teariki Ben-Nicholas are in the reserves for their Coronation Cup encounter against Manawatu. View the Men's NPC opening round teams and results here 

Former Wellington and Poneke blindside flanker Wayne Nicholls has passed away following a battle with cancer. Wayne joined Poneke from the Rongotai College 1st XV in 1964 with a host of players. He soon graduated to the top Senior 1st side. He was the driving force of the ageing Poneke forward pack and was tipped for higher honours, graduating to the Wellington Provincial A-side in 1967 whom he played for till 1975, playing 85 games and scoring 21 tries. He formed a lethal loose forward trio with Graham Williams (openside) and Andy Leslie (no. 8). He played in the All Black trials and was a notable omission from the 1970 team to tour South Africa, being lauded as the best forward from both trials.

Don't expect to see Julian Savea spend the upcoming Wellington Lions season sulking on the wing. The 54-test veteran was the notable absentee when the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad was named this week. Having appeared in two of New Zealand's four matches this year, and had an indifferent Super Rugby campaign with the Hurricanes, the 27-year-old was relegated to the provincial ranks. Savea was at the Lions' season launch on Friday, but excused from media duties. As a Super Rugby player, he was entitled to still be on leave but attended the launch as a show of his commitment to Wellington's cause. Read more here

The Tasman Makos selection defeated the Wellington XV 54-35 in their pre-season Men's NPC encounter at the Awatere Rugby Club in Seddon this afternoon. In sunny conditions, the Makos led 28-7 at halftime, but swum to a 47-14 lead at one point in the second spell. The Wellington XV closed the gap to 47-28 with tries to Malo Tuitama and Lester Maulolo, before the Makos crossed again to move past 50 for the match. The Wellington XV's tries were scored by Malo Tuitama (3), Lester Maulolo and Trent Renata tries with Jackson Garden-Bachop kicking all five conversions.

Five recent or current Wellington club rugby players have been named in the BoP Steamers squad to contest this year’s Men’s NPC competition. They are: James O’Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Solomona Sakalia (Marist St Pat’s), Henry Stowers (Wainuiomata), Luke Campbell (Old Boys University) and Chase Tiatia (Hutt Old Boys Marist).

Old Boys University second-five Regan Verney and Waikato loan player Du’Plessis Kirifi have been named to start for the Wellington XV against Tasman in Seddon on Thursday. Verney was MVP in Saturday's Jubilee Cup final (profile story here tomorrow) while Kirifi is a former Taranaki schoolboy player, now with Waikato, and unlucky not to make the NZ U20s this year. Wellington is a traditional factory of loose forwards so his selection as a loan player is a curious one. Wellington Lions head coach Chris Gibbes has retained just ten of the squad that played Manawatu in Otaki last weekend, and just three of that group, fullback Trent Renata, lock Kane Thompson and hooker Ben Power, will start against Tasman.

Re-live yesterday's 2017 Jubilee Cup commentary from Radio Sport by listening here commentary by Gordon Noble-Campbell and John Morrison.

To view the teamlists for the Jubilee Cup Premier and Victoria Tavern Trophy Women's finals and the Hadham Cup ninth round matches tomorrow visit Draws & Results above. 

St Pat's Silverstream and Scots College meet this Saturday at Jerry Collins Stadium to decide the top qualifier in the WelTec Premiership.

Visit Draws & Results across the top of this page to view this weekend's draws. All draws subject to change at the end of the week pending ground transfers and alterations. To view some photo galleries from the weekend just played visit Photos across the top of this page.

The Lions will host a home Super Rugby final against Crusaders next weekend after they turned the tables to defeat the Hurricanes 44-29 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday. This win, where they scored six tries to Hurricanes’ four, was the Lions’ 15th in succession this season since they were surprisingly beaten by the Jaguares in Argentina during round three. Scorers: Lions:  44 (Van Rooyen, Cronje, Marx, Vorster, Jantjies, Smith; Jantjies (4 con, 2 pen) beat the Hurricanes 29 (Perenara, Goosen, Savea, Luamape tries;  J Barrett (2 con), B Barrett (con, pen). HT: 10-22. Read more here

There have been some transfers and changes made from the original draws, owing to more rain and more ground closures. For the competitions we run, the Draws & Results section is above is accurate as per the new draw. In particular, two Petone semi-finals (Colts and Women's) are now on the Hutt Rec. For other grades visit WRFU channels. 

Richard Gordon has been appointed the referee for next weekend's Jubilee Cup final at the Petone Rec, while Greg Binning will officiate the Premier Reserve Ed Chaney Cup final on the same day.

A 42-man Wellington Lions training squad has been selected to prepare for the upcoming Men's National Provincial Championship season, that starts on 20 August in Palmerston North against Manawatu and concludes in Mid-October with hoped-for Division 2 glory. Read more here 

The inaugural Billy Wallace Trophy Best & Fairest competition winner in 1966 and South Canterbury's most capped test All Black Tom Lister has died in Timaru, aged 73. A tough, aggressive loose forward Lister played eight tests for the All Blacks, the first in 1968 against Australia while his final test was against the British and Irish Lions in 1971, ending his international career with a try.  He moved to Wellington in 1965 to improve his chances of playing for the All Blacks. Lister linked up with Terry McCashin, who would also become an All Black, and played for Wellington's Athletic Rugby Club. The pair both worked for a time as rubbish collectors, which helped them become extremely fit. He played in Wellington rugby's famous wins over the Springboks in 1965 and the British & Irish Lions in 1966, playing 40 times for Wellington.  

The Hurricanes negotiated a tenacious Brumbies side in Canberra on Friday night in their Super Rugby quarter-final The Brumbies were right in the match at halftime, but weight of possession and territory for the Hurricanes finally bore fruit when returning rake Dane Coles passed inside to halfback TJ Perenara to score the match-breaking try. HURRICANES 35 (Wes Goosen 2, Jordie Barrett, TJ Perenara tries; Jordie Barrett 2, Beauden Barrett conversions; Jordie Barrett 3 penalties) bt ACT BRUMBIES 16 (James Dargaville, Josh Mann-Rea tries; Wharenui Hawera 2 penalties) 

The mess that was the Super Rugby regular season is over and now, the finals begin. Much to the disdain of our New Zealand counterparts, the Brumbies have the home ground advantage against the Hurricanes in the first quarter-final of the 2017 season. Despite finishing the regular season with a far better record (26 points clear of the Brumbies on the table) the Hurricanes have to travel to Canberra with a squad littered with international talent. They’ll be looking to build off their most recent victory over the Crusaders, a side which had been unbeaten this season. Read more here

This weekend marks the 90th anniversary of club rugby radio broadcasting in Wellington. The first request to broadcast Club Rugby in Wellington was made to the WRFU in June 1927 (by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand Limited, on their "new-super-power" frequency 2YA, (formerly 2YK), transmitting from the top of Mount Victoria.The first Club Rugby match ever broadcast in Wellington was on Saturday, 23 July 1927 on 2YA, between University and Old Boys, (a date close enough to this coming weekend). The match was played at 2.30pm and broadcast live from Athletic Park. University won the match, 21-11, in front of a reported 9,000 spectators.

The Hurricanes are set for a short hop across the Tasman to play the Brumbies in their Super Rugby semi-final after beating the Crusaders 31-22 last night in Wellington in front of a hearty home crowd. The playoff schedule is: Brumbies v Hurricanes in Canberra - Friday, July 21;  Crusaders v Highlanders in Christchurch - Saturday, July 22; Lions v Sharks in Johannesburg - Sunday, July 23; Stormers v Chiefs in Cape Town - Sunday, July 23

5.30pm Friday: Some transfers, cancellations and changes to the original draw for tomorrow have been made Our draws at Draws & Results (see link above) has been updated as per the WRFU alterations list. Plus see inside the Jubilee Cup preview story here too.

New All Black loose forward Vaea Fifita (Wellington Axemen) and midfielder Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai) have re-committed to the Wellington Lions for 2018 and beyond. Tongan-born Fifita, who plays for the Wellington Rugby Football Club, made his Lions debut against North Harbour in 2013 and has represented the province 28 times.Proctor, who played centre for the Maori All Blacks against The British & Irish Lions this year, will continue to represent the Wellington Lions through to 2019. Proctor, a St Patrick’s College old boy, has played 43 matches for Wellington since making his debut in 2012.

The Junior Wellington Lions will play five matches in the lead-up to this year's National U19 Tournament in Taupo in mid-September. The team play a visiting side from south of the wall at Jery Collins Stadium on Wednesday 2 August, the Wellington Samoans on Saturday 12 August, the Hurricanes U20s on 19 August (Palmerston North), the Hawke's Bay U19s on Saturday 26 August (venue TBC) and the Manawatu U19s on Saturday 2 September (venue TBC). 

After four months on the sideline, Hurricanes captain Dane Coles (Poneke) appears destined for a return to active duty. It won't be on Saturday, when the team host the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium, but it shouldn't be too long after that. Particularly with a trip to Cape Town on the cards. As the stands today, the Hurricanes will meet the Brumbies in Canberra in the Super Rugby quarterfinals. Read more here

The Petone Rugby Football Club mourns the loss of club member Sione Palei 'Bah' Tuiano Tuiano, who died in a motor accident on Sunday morning. Bah joined the club this year and played for the Petone Brotherhood First Grade team and for the Premier Reserves. Bah's two brothers continue their battles in hospital. The Wellington club rugby community extends its condolences to all family and friends. 

Wellington College opened their 2017 Quadrangular competition with a 5-24 loss to hosts Nelson College on Monday on a very muddy field. With the Moascar Cup also on the line, Nelson will now refocus their attention on defending champions Christ's College in Wednesday's final after Christ's held on for a tight 13-7 win over Wanganui Collegiate in the early fixture. Wellington College will face Wanganui in the playoff for third and fourth. Day one scores:  Nelson College 24 (Ben Hazlett, Brad Pool, Leicester Faingaanuku tries, Faingaanuku 3 con, pen) Wellington College 5 (Josh Ranui try) HT: 17-0. Christ's College 13 (Lachie Gunson, Harry Black tries, Ben Dickie pen) Wanganui Collegiate 7 (Finau Nimatasau try, Desmond Tyrell con) HT: 10-0.

Visit Photos above for new photo galleries going up all the time, including new galleries from club rugby around Wellington on Saturday in the Jubilee and Hardham Cups and Women's competitions. 

The Poneke Pies Golden Oldies team are hosting today's tournament at Klbirnie Park, featuring the home team, the Blues Brothers (Northern United), Saints and Sinners (Hutt Old Boys Marist) and two sides made up of British and Irish travelling supporters.  Some key ‘guests’ (ex Lions and All Blacks) may have a cameo on field.  Two fields will be used simultaneously with the Supporters team always playing adjacent to the club house. Each team will play 3 x 20 min games and play is scheduled for between 2.30pm-4.00pm. 

OBU wing Wes Goosen and Wellington flanker Vaea Fifita scored converted tries as the Hurricanes came back from 17-31 to draw 31-31 with the British and Irish Lions in Wellington on Tuesday night. A yellow card to Lions lock Dan Henderson proved costly as the Hurricanes roared into life late in the match and went desperately close to snatching victory. Read more here

The Hurricanes team to face the British and Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium on Tuesday evening is: Hurricanes team to play the Lions: Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Otere Black, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Shields (c), Callum Gibbins, Vaea Fifita,  Sam Lousi, Mark Abbott, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, James Blackwell, Reed Prinsep, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane.

The Awatere Rugby Club, which last year combined with Kaikoura to create East Coast Rugby, is hosting a special fundraising match between the Tasman Makos and Wellington Lions on August 10 to pay for the insurance excess of $29,000 on around $180,000 of damage to their Seddon clubrooms.  Club committee member, coach and chairman of the East Coast steering committee, Andrew Lawson, says about the same amount was fundraised following the 2013 Grassmere earthquake and it was "a bit gutting" to have the newly fixed clubrooms damaged so badly again during the Kaikoura earthquake. Most of the building's aluminium window frames were sheared off and fell out, plumbing pipes severed, gib torn and cladding damaged. Read more here

This afternoon a committee of the Rugby Board met to determine an alleged breach of WRFU Player Eligibility By-Laws, specifically By-Law 8.3; Player Registration, by the Tawa Premier side that covers both the latter stages of the Swindale Shield and opening rounds of the Jubilee Cup. The committee are yet to release their full decision, and will do so next week. WRFU will be making no further comment on this matter until the Committee releases its decision next week. -WRFU 

The Bus is in the depot this weekend. Wing Julian Savea (Ories) has been parked up from the All Blacks for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions this coming Saturday at Eden Park, replaced on the left wing by Auckland's Reiko Ioane. There are no current Wellington players named in the starting XV, with Ardie Savea (Ories)and TJ Perenara (Norths) on the bench and also Lima Sopoaga (OBU) bracketed with Aaron Cruden to come off the bench. 

Six club rugby finals on the Petone Rec The Recreation Ground will host six finals Saturday 5 August. These being: Petone Rec 1 12pm: Victoria Tavern Trophy (Women’s Div 1) 2:30pm:  Jubilee Cup Petone Rec 2      12pm: Ed Chaney Cup (Premier Reserve) Petone Rec 3     12pm: John E Kelly Memorial Cup (Colts Div 1) Petone Rec 4      12pm: Women’s Division Two 2:30pm Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup (Colts Div 2)

Poneke's Galu Taufale has been selected at openside flanker to make his Manu Samoa Test debut this coming Friday in Apia against Wales. Taufale is joined in the team by recent Wellington club players Manu Leaiataua (hooker), Reynold Le-Lo (Marist St Pats), Alapati Leiua (Northern United) and Faifili Levave (Northern United).

The second round will be underway for all club rugby grades from this coming weekend, with U85kg and First Grade Championship rounds underway. The division 1 U85kg Paul Potiki Shield and First Grade Johnsonvillle Centennium Cup competitions will be run through the Draws & Results in this website above. 

Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke) and Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa) are the four Wellington players named in the match-day squad for the New Zealand U20s versus England in the final of the Under 20 World Championship. The match kicks off at 2.00am overnight Sunday/Monday. 

First spotted playing No. 8 for the Wellington Axemen five years ago in Premier Reserve rugby, now Vaea Fifita is set to make his All Blacks Test debut in Friday night's international against Manu Samoa in Auckland. Fifita has been named on the bench. Other current Wellington players named for Friday are: Ardie Savea (Ories), Julian Savea (Ories) and TJ Perenara (Norths). Former OBU flyhalf Lima Sopoaga is also selected. 

Tauasosi Tuimavave will play little part in this year's Stags campaign as he recovers from a nasty pectoral injury. The Southland outside back ruptured his pectoral muscle playing for Woodlands in a club fixture and required surgery to re-attach the muscle. At best case scenario Tuimavave will be sidelined for four months and everything going well he could be available to play in the final few weeks of the Stags season. The game in which he suffered the injury was scheduled to Tuimavave's last in club rugby before he underwent minor ankle surgery to ensure he would be available for the start of the provincial season. Read more here

Rodney So'oialo is the new Wellington forwards coach, according to reports  So'oialo finished his playing career at the Honda Heat in Japan, where he took his first tentative steps towards coaching. Some players of his ilk might've opted to stay at a Japanese company team such as Honda or come home and seek provincial or Super Rugby jobs. To So'oialo's great credit, he decided "a real good foundation" was what he needed. That's meant four years of coaching at the Petone, Wellington and Tawa clubs, doing some work at Wellington College and with the Wellington union's under-16, 18, Samoan and development sides. 

The Hurricanes Alumni presents a Dinner and Charity event on Monday 26 June at 6.00pm. Auction/Raffles / MC: Lyndon Bray / Guest speakers: Sir Brian Lochore, Graham Mourie, Piri Weepu and Riki Flutey Only 35/500 tickets left. Be in quick!  Individual tickets can be purchased at $165 each. For more details email: alumni.hurricanes@gmail.com

Christchurch Boys' High School have defeated Wellington College 26-22 in their First XV annual fixture today. 

Left wing Julian Savea played his 100th match for the Hurricanes on Friday night, in a 15-17 defeat to the Chiefs. 

A number of current/former Wellington club players have been selected in the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks squads today. All Blacks are: Dane Coles (Poneke), Ardie Savea (Ories), TJ Perenara (Norths), Lima Sopoaga (OBU), Jordie Barrett (Pare-Plim), Julian Savea (Ories), Vaea Fifita (Wellington - injury cover). Maori All Blacks are: Chris Eves (Johnsonville), Mike Kainga (Petone), Ben May (OBU), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Johnsonville), Tim Bateman (OBU), Charlie Ngatai (Poneke), Matt Proctor (Ories). 

Hurricanes wing Julian Savea will start in his 100^th Investec Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in front of his home fans at Westpac Stadium on Friday. Julian Savea will become the tenth player to reach 100 caps for the Hurricanes after Tana Umaga, Rodney So’oialo, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Jeremy Thrush, Ma’a Nonu, Victor Vito, Conrad Smith and Cory Jane.
Otherwise known as The Bus, Savea, 26, made his Hurricanes debut against the Highlanders in Wellington in 2009 and has been a fixture on the wing ever since. Though it took him 16 matches to score his first Super Rugby try, Savea has been a try-scoring machine during his seven seasons in the Hurricanes. He has crossed the try line 45 times in 99 matches, the same number of tries he has scored for the All Blacks.
 
 

UPDATED: The Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup draws are inputted in here now. Visit Draws & Results above and use the 'select competitions' drop-down menu to navigate. The other competitions will be inputted over the next few days.  

The Hurricanes Typhoons defeated Wanganui 52-17 this afternoon at Cooks Gardens, scoring tries to Pepesana Patafilo 2, Andrew Wells 2, Malo Tuitama, Ambrose Curtis, antonio Kirikiri and Ben Power. 

The Hurricanes unleashed a second-half masterclass to power past a brave Western Force outfit 34-12 in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash in Perth. A boilover was on the cards when Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty scored a 44th-minute try to reduce the margin to just five points. But the Hurricanes ran in four tries within the space of 17 minutes in the second half to blow the game apart. Second five-eighth Ngani Laumape scored a double, while halfback TJ Perenara starred with a try and an assist. Read more here

The Hurricanes Typhoons play Wanganui at Cooks Gardens on Monday. Wellington club players in the match-day 23 are: Mike Kainga (Petone), Toa Halafihi (Poneke), Teariki Ben Nicholas (OBU), Pakai Turia (Poneke), Malo Tuitama (Ories), Pepesana Patafilo (Tawa), Ollie Sapsford (Wellington), Ambrose Curtis (Ories), Ben Power (HOBM), Finnbarr Kerr-Newell (OBU), Ha'amia Ahio (MSP), Anthony Petett (J'ville), Lui Luamanu (HOBM), Leon Ellison (Norths), Andrew Wells (MSP), Matt Proctor (Ories).

The odds of Poneke hooker Dane Coles being fit to feature in the British and Irish Lions rugby series have plummeted. The Hurricanes had targeted next Friday's clash with the Chiefs in Wellington to welcome Coles back to the fold. But indications are the hooker hasn't recovered from his concussion symptoms at the rate everyone hoped and he's been described as "a doubtful starter" for the Hurricanes' 23 to play the Chiefs. That would make him very hard to select in All Blacks teams to meet Samoa in a one-off test on June 16 or the first test of the Lions series on June 24. Read more here

St Pat's College hosts Wellington College today at Evans Bay Park in their annual Centennial Shield fixture. It appears that kick-off is at 1.15pm - previously reported at 1.30pm. So to be safe, supporters should get there early! 

Former Highlanders and Chiefs first five-eighth Trent Renata has signed a two-year deal with the Wellington Lions. Renata, 29, will join Oriental-Rongotai and the Lions squad for the 2017 Men's NPC at the conclusion of the Italian top league season where he has been playing for Mogliano for the past two seasons. Renata was equally capable of playing first five or fullback and was also a highly accomplished goal kicker. The Hamilton-born Hamilton Boys High School old boy represented Waikato 66 times at provincial level since his debut in 2008, and has also played for Otago, in 2014, and Tasman, in 2015. He played under new Wellington Lions head coach Chris Gibbes during his time with Waikato, including being a key part of the side that lifted the Ranfurly Shield off Taranaki in 2012. 

It wasn’t the massacre that the Vodacom Bulls’ fans had feared, but the defending champions, the Hurricanes, still had way too much class to come under threat, winning 34-20 in their Vodacom Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.  SCORERS: Hurricanes – tries: Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Mark Abbott, Leni Apisai. Conversions: Otere Black (2) Jordie Barrett. Penalties: Black. Bulls – tries: Duncan Matthews, Nic de Jager. Conversions: Tian Schoeman, Tony Jantjies. Penalties Schoeman (2). The Hurricanes head to Perth to play the Force in their next match. 

Vaea Fifita (Wellington Axemen) is set to start at blindside flanker for the Hurricanes against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria this weekend. Regular blindside Brad Shields (Petone) is retained at No. 8. The Hurricanes have met the Bulls 19 times in Super Rugby, winning 10 of those matches. The most recent was in 2015, when they snuck home 17-13 in Pretoria. The match is at 1.05am Sunday NZT. Read more here

Visit Photos above to see a selection of photo galleries from the weekend. More being loaded soon.  

It’s been a whirlwind last nine months or so forplaymaker Cheyne Copeland and the St Mary’s College rugby team, finishing runners-up at the NZSS Top 4 Girls 15-a-side finals, winning the Wellington American Ambassador’s 7s tournament (that’s the senior club rugby 7s title), capturing the NZSS Condor 7s title, retaining the Sir Gordon Tietjens 7s crown and capping it all off a fortnight ago by being crowned world champions at the Sanix 7s tournament in Japan....Read more here 

Club Rugby's thoughts today are with the family, friends and teamates ofWellington Axemen Colts player Daniel Baldwin passed away yesterday evening. Daniel had been in an induced coma in Wellington Hospital since Saturday after collapsing during a match at Ngati Toa Domain last Saturday. The collective thoughts of everyone in the Wellington rugby community are with the Baldwin family and the Wellington Football Club at what is an extremely difficult time for everyone involved in our game. The New Zealand Rugby Foundation, New Zealand Rugby and the WRFU have offered their full support to the Baldwin family and offered counselling to other parties affected by this tragic accident.

Ories beat MSP in their catch-up Colts match tonight. After four completed rounds of the Paris Memorial Trophy competition, the points table is: Petone 20; Ories 16; OBU 11; Tawa 10; MSP 9; Poneke 6; Norths 6; Upper Hutt Rams 2

The Dominion Post has covered the 10th round of the Swindale Shield. Read their reviews of the games here 

The HOBM Howlers defeated the OBU Bunnies 12-5 in a tight struggle at Alex Moore Park on Friday night in their third round JC U85kg clash. Meanwhile, a second scheduled Friday night club rugby contest between Ories and MSP in the Paris Memorial Trophy at Te Whaea had to be called off prior to kick-off owing to some of the lights being out at the ground. New on the re-schedulement of this match is forthcoming. 

Wellington College's first XV will take a patient approach to the season as they look to blood a host a new players. The defending WelTec Premiership champions have just 10 players returning from last season and went through their pre-season with losses to Francis Douglas Memorial College (32-22), Feilding High School (38-29) and Hastings Boys' High School (50-10). But they rallied well on Saturday to open the Tranzit Coachlines First XV Festival with a 19-13 win over Gisborne Boys' High School. Read more here

Former Petone midfielder Nick Grigg, now playing for the Glasgow Warriors, is set to make his debut for Scotland in their June internationals against Italy in Singapore, Australia in Sydney and Fiji in Suva. Read more here

Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Tim Farrell (Old Boys University), Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa) and Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata) have all been selected in the NZ U20S for this year's U20 World Cup in Georgia early next month.

Visit Photos above to see a selection of galleries from the weekend's rugby just played.

The Hurricanes beat the Stormers 41-22 on Friday night in Wellington. Read a match report and view video content here 

Oriental Rongotai Football Club are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and suitably qualified Coaching Development Officer to replace our long serving CDO who has recently been promoted within the Wellington Rugby Union’s Coaching Development Programme. A position description and further information can be obtained from the club's Chairman, Phil Jones via email: PM_Jones@xtra.co.nz or phone: 027 4468324. Applications will close on Wednesday 17 May 2017 at 5pm and must be accompanied with a recent CV.

There were two Friday night club rugby matches in Wellington. At Alex Moore Park, the defendng U85kg champions the Tawa Titans defeated the Johnsonville Terrahawks 27-5 (five tries to one, 10-0 at halftime). At Te Whaea, Northern United and Old Boys University drew 19-19 n their Les Mills Paris Memorial Trophy Colts competition match. 

Dane Coles is under a concussion cloud, ahead of the Lions series. Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd revealed today at the team naming media session that Dane Coles is actually battling concussion-like symptoms as well as the dodgy calf that has been advanced as the cause, in recent weeks, of his prolonged absence. The Highlanders match on March 18 was Coles' last outing. He had a knee injury before the calf became an issue. A review of the Highlanders match DVD revealed no apparent head knock. Read more here

Congratulations to Old Boys University wing Joe Hill for reaching 100 Premier games when he takes the field at home at Nairnville Park against Northern United on Saturday.

Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai) is set to join the New Zealand U20s on the Gold Coast this week and be available for the team's third match against Australia on Saturday, after missing the first part of the tour with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Alex's former Scots College teammate Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata) is in the team to play the Samoa U20s later today. Samoa are captained by Ivan Fepuleai (MSP) and vice-captained by Losi Filipo (Petone). Read more here

In a little over a year, Wellington's St Mary's College have gone from winning their first tourament in Palmerston North, to winning the Condor 7s in Auckland and now to winning the World Sanix 7s tournament in Japan. Read/decipher their results here

Shaun Treeby (Tawa) is set to debut for the Stormers tonight against his old team the Highlanders when they meet in Dunedin.  Treeby will come into the 23 for Daniel du Plessis‚ who suffered a shoulder injury during last weekend’s 57-24 loss to the Crusaders. Du Plessis and flank Cobus Wiese‚ who also sustained a shoulder injury‚ have returned home. Treeby is on a short-term contract in Cape Town after the Stormers lost Bok midfielders Damian de Allende and Juan de Jongh and Scotland centre Huw Jones to long-term injuries.

The New Zealand team to play Fiji in the first Test of the Under 20 Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast tomorrow, April 28 at 7pm NZT, has been named. Of the Wellington players in the squad, Kemara Hauiti Parapara starts at halfback, and Asafo Aumua, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Carlos Price come off the bench. The Schedule for the Oceania Under 20 Tournament is: Friday 28 April v Fiji, 7.00pm NZT; Tuesday 2 May v Samoa, 5.00pm NZT; Saturday 6 May v Australia, 9.00pm NZT

The Dominion Post covers Tuesday's seventh round of Swindale Shield matches, plus Best & Fairest points. Read more here 

Dominion Post: A Stokes Valley player faces judicial action before the Wellington Rugby Union after allegations of serious violence marred a club rugby match against Johnsonville at the weekend. One witness – a Johnsonville Mighty Cripples supporter who wanted to remain anonymous – claimed Stokes Valley players invaded the pitch at Newlands on Saturday afternoon after a Johnsonville player was kicked in the head. Read more here  

The Dominion Post was at the sixth round of club rugby on Saturday. Read match reports from all seven Premier matches here 

Watch video highlights of the Hurricanes versus Brumbies Super Rugby fixture in Napier on Friday night, won by the Hurricanes 56-21, here

An opinion piece by Patrick Holden on why it's important to support club rugby, on the sideline and in the clubrooms, relavent to all clubs. Read more here

Wellington's rugby fans can get a midweek fix of First XV rugby on Thursday at Petone and Kilbirnie. St Pat’s Town host Christchurch’s St Bede’s College on at Evans Bay Park, where they will be defending the Fr. Paul Kane SM Challenge Cup. Kick-off 1pm (TBC). The annual pre-season Hope Cup involving Hutt Valley schools is at the Petone Rec. Teams competing include the HIBS First XV, Naenae College First XV, Upper Hutt College First XV, Taita College First XV and the St Pat’s Silverstream First XV. 

The Black Ferns Sevens team to play the fourth leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Women’s World Sevens Series in Kitakyushu, starting this Saturday, has been named. This is the first time an HSBC Women’s World Sevens Series tournament has been held in Japan and helps serves as preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where rugby sevens will feature. Read more here 

St Mary’s College player Lyric Faleafaga joins the Black Ferns Sevens team for the first time this weekend and will experience the international tournament environment in the travelling reserve role. Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Allan Bunting said: “This is about Lyric’s development plan, she’s young, has special talent and at 1.8 meters tall has real height. We’re really excited about her future so it’s all about giving her experiencing in the international tournament environment and personal growth for her.” Kat Whata-Simkins is the other Wellington player in the team. Read more here

he final squad for the Oceania Under 20 tournament on the Gold Coast starting on 28 May has been confirmed with former New Zealand Secondary Schools representatives Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Ciarahn Matoe joining the squad and Waikato's Luke Jacobson the captain. Read more here

Visit Photos above for several new photo galleries from the weekend's club rugby around Wellington. More being loaded early this week. 

There are lots of transfers and some defaults in theWRFU club rugby draw for Saturday 15 April. To view these changes read here  

The 24th National Deaf Rugby Championship is being played at Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The tri-series of matches see Central play the Northern Marlins on Friday at 2.00pm, Central play Southern at 2pm on Saturday and Northern meet Southern at 1.30pm on Sunday. 

For the first time in over 20 years, a women's rugby team has taken the field for Paremata Plimmerton Rugby Club. The two-decade-long hiatus was broken by a group of Aotea College girls and friends determined to stick together. Despite the lack of pressure the women won their first game 41 - 3 against Tawa. Coach Findlay Siania​ said friendship was what made the team a force to be reckoned with on the field. "I was coaching the Aotea College women's team and the girls were leaving college and wanted to stay together." They had the option of joining the long-established Norths club but liked the idea of starting a fresh team, he said. "Having both Norths and ParePlim now shows the huge depth of talent Porirua has in the rugby pool for women's teams. Read more here

Dan Vulu finally had something to smile about on Saturday. Hutt Old Boys Marist made an average start to the season, losing to Upper Hutt and Wainuiomata before beating easy beats Paremata Plimmerton. On Saturday, HOBM made the trip to Fraser Park and their comfortable 53-0 win over Avalon suggested that things can only get better for Vulu. Read more here

Visit Photos across the top of this page for several new photo galleries from the weeeknd. More being loaded early this week. 

The Hurricanes made a fast start against the Waratahs on Friday night in Wellington, before seeing off a second half revival. The Hurricanes raced to a 21-0 lead (including this try to left wing Wes Goosen) but held on to win 38-28. Read more here 

Update: After losing last weekend to Francis Douglas Memorial College, the Wellington College First XV plays its second match of the season in its 150th year tomorrow at home versus Feidling High School. This is an annual traditional fixture and kick-off is scheduled for 2.30pm (TBC). Meanwhile,  Scots College were due to host Palmerston North Boys' High School tomorrow afternoon but this fixture has been cancellled and St Pat's Town hosts Marlborough Boys' College at 10.30am on Sunday. 

The precedent is being set early in the year by councils. Please check this link here for transfers for tomorrow, owing to mid-week rain. The President's grade has been cancelled as well. 

Tomorrow and for the next eight weeks, access to the the Petone Recreation Ground grandstand will only be for people aged 16 and over, by instructions from the Hutt City Council. Anyone looking young attending this match will need to bring age ID. This follows an accident involving a young girl in the stand last weekend. 

From the Roar:  Ask most rugby folk who is the best scrum-half in the world is, and the reply that comes out of their mouths with metronomic regularity is Highlanders and All Blacks No.9 Aaron Smith. But that may be changing, if TJ Perenara’s performance in the Reds v Hurricanes match is a reliable measure. Not only did TJ control the game with the excellence of his play, he was probably also the best referee on the field. I have to admit that I had not realised just how good a halfback Perenara has become. The Reds’ game opened my eyes to the true excellence of his play at No. 9. Read more here 

Visit Photos across the top of this page for several new photo galleries from the weeeknd. More being loaded early this week. 

The Reds have fallen to their fifth straight loss, going down 34-15 at Suncorp Stadium to the Hurricanes. In was a helter skelter affair and in fairness to the Reds, they were markedly better than they were in their two-week road trip.   They turned what was shaping as a nightmare on Castlemaine Street into a one-try contest for the majority of the night - albeit against a Hurricanes team that was falling over their own feet. Read more here

The Dominion Post carries match reports of all seven matches from yesterday's Wellington Premier club rugby Swindale Shield competition. Read them here 

The Hurricanes flew out to Brisbane on Thursday afternoon for what looms as a tricky encounter. New Zealand fans - with some justification - have adopted an air of dismissiveness where teams from the other nations are concerned. But the Reds - featuring players of the calibre of Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons and Stephen Moore - are far from the worst team around. The Hurricanes come into this game on the back of a bye, without their skipper Dane Coles and with - in all fairness - a reasonably high expectation that they ought to win. It all adds up to a sneaky feeling that an upset could be on the cards. Read more here

UPDATED: Porirua Deputy Mayor and former Black Fern Izzy Ford has been appointed to the WRFU's board. Ford is a long-time member of the Northern United Rugby Club and was a Black Ferns representative from 1999 to 2005. In addition to Ford’s appointment to the board, long-time secondary schools rugby administrator Ina Hansen has become the first female to hold a place on the WRFU’s presidential suite. Hansen served on the WRFU management committee for over a decade through the 1980s leading the Wellington Secondary Schools program. Meanwhile, Brendan Gard'ner takes over from Murray Tocker as President.

See Photos above for new photo galleries from the weekend of rugby just gone being loaded. Big thanks to all contributors. 

A new Team Statistics points table has been been added immediately below the Swindale Shield points table at the Draws & Results links above. This now updates team' 'points for', listing their tries, conversions, penalties and dropped goals. Will be the same on the other full competitions we run this year, including the Jubilee Cup and Women's competitions. 

The Samoa U20s have been named for the Oceania U20 Championship and Junior World Cup. Wellington players selected are: Ivan Fepuleai, Jarimar Schuster, Julius Togafau, Nese Solia, Lei Ioane, Aneriueta Fale Piopa and Losi Filipo.

The 2017 Wellington Colts competiton is set to start with an inagural two-tier three-week knockout competiton. The concept behind the knockout competition is to allow for a structured pre-season competition to ensure that the right teams are playing in each division during the season proper. The winners of the Division One competition will win the Eric Connolly Cup. The winners of the Division Two competition will win the James Gilbert Cup. The first round Paris Memorial Trophy and JRD Cups run fom 22 April-early/mid June and the second round John E Kelly Memorial Cup and the Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup take the season throght to early/mid August.

Former Wellington college loose forward and brother of Lima, Tupou Sopoaga, has joined the Highlanders as injury cover. The former Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers player returned to rugby union late last year in Australia's domestic competition. Just a couple of weeks ago, the brother of All Black first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, signed to play for the Southland Stags in this year's New Zealand provincial competition. On top of that, he has now also been signed by the Highlanders on a month to month contract to bolster the Dunedin-based Super Rugby team's loose forward stocks. Read more here

The following Wellington players are in Samoa this weekend trialling for the Samoa Penieli Poasa, John Tuia, Alex Ropeti (Ories); Ivan Fepulea'i, Nese Solia, Grayson Whitman, Kerrod Foaese (MSP); Jayden Treviranus (UHr); Losi Filipo (Petone).

Lower Hutt clubs had a mixed start to the 2017 season with Hutt Old Boys Marist, Petone and Avalon recording losses. HOBM blew a handy lead to lose to Upper Hutt. Coach Daniel Vulu put the loss down to a poor second half where HOBM gave away too many penalties, "We started well and scored three tries in the first half but the second half was disappointing and Upper Hutt just got on a roll and deserved the win." Read more from the Hutt News article here 

To view photo galleries throughout the year visit Photos across the top of this page. Several galleries being loaded each week. Big thanks to the photographers who help us out. To assist with photo and video coverage in 2017 please drop us an email at editor@clubrugby.co.nz 

With full and exclusive broadcast rights at Westpac Stadium all day Saturday, look out for Sky TV's broadcast of the Hurricanes U20s v Argentina U20s match. Kick-off is at 5.10pm, ahead of the Hurricanes v Highlanders at 7.35pm. 

The inagural Collins Medal will be awarded to the Player of the Match between Northern United and Petone in their round one Swindale Shield encounter. The Collins medal is in honour of the late Jerry Collins who played for Northern United and his cousin Willie Collins who played for Petone, in both of whom passed away over the past two years. 

Upper Hutt Rams, Wellington Sevens and 2016 Wellington Lions wing Salesi Rayasi is departing for Auckland this season. Rayasi, also an accomplished basketballer, scored nine tries in 10 Premier appearances for the Rams last year. He was playing for Auckland Marist at last weekend's Spillane tournament. 

He refereed last year's Jubilee Cup final between champions Tawa and Marist St Pat's and on Saturday former Scots College fullback Richard Gordon will referee their final re-match in their Swindale Shield season opener at Awakairangi Park. To view this Saturday's fixtures and referees visit Draws & Results above. 

The New Zealand men's sevens team have conceded the fact they won't be claiming the overall title this year. With a fifth placed finish at the Vancouver tournament at the weekend, the best the New Zealand team can hope for is to finish second - and they still have a lot to do if they want to achieve that. he team's chances of staying alive in the overall title hunt plummeted when they lost to England 14-12 in the quarterfinals. England went on to win the tournament. Speaking to Radio Sport, New Zealand coach Scott Waldrom said after good performances on the opening day of the tournament, his side had high hopes for the pressure stages Read more here

Napier Old Boys Marist have won the 2017 NZ Marist Spillane Cup, beating Wellington's Marist St Pat's 22-3 in the final this afternoon in Palmerston North. MSP started a second string side and failed to fire, while NOBM were well led by early replacement halfback and former Wellington St Pat's Town college player Zac Donaldson. He sealed victory with the final try of the final, an 8-9 move near the whitewash. Wellington's Hutt Old Boys Marist beat hosts Palmerston North Old Boys Marist 49-19 in the playoff for third and fourth. 

All adult rugby games in the 14 largest Provincial Rugby Unions will be showing concussion the Blue Card this season, in a move by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to further enhance player welfare.The Blue Card Concussion Initiative means referees can issue a Blue Card to a player suspected of receiving an on-field concussion during a game. After receiving a Blue Card, the player must leave the field of play and can’t return until they have completed a series of mandatory steps, including a three-week stand down from training and playing. Some Provincial Unions have implemented the Blue Card into secondary school competitions.

Forty-eight players have been selected to attend the second New Zealand Under 20 development camp in Palmerston North from 9-13 March, in the build up to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship to be held in Georgia in May and June this year. The Wellington players are: Asafo Aumua (Avalon). Ben Power (HOBM), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Josh Brown (Upper Hutt Rams), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa), Carlos Price (Petone), Billy Proctor (MSP). Not attending due to injury or Super Rugby commitments: Alex Fidow (Ories), Peter Umaga Jensen (Wainuiomata), Lester Maulolo (Petone).

The Wellington First XV Premiership competition has been increased from eight to 10 teams for 2017. The grading structure for the new expanded competition is still to be confirmed, but Grading will start on Saturday 6 May. The pre-season Tranzit Series with the leading teams in Wellington from last year and four of the Hurricanes region 'Super 8' teams is still the same. There will also be a curtain-raiser to a Hurricanes match on 20 May. 

The St Mary's College team won the Sir Gordon Tietjens Sevens tournament at Palmerston North on Saturday. St Mary's won all three of their matches on day two at Massey University, beating Motueka High School 28-12 in the Girls Final. 

There are now 0 days to go until the start of the 2017 Wellington club season. To view today's matches view Draws & Results across the top of this page. Results will be posted above this evening. For news or to assist us please text/phone us on 027 4 897999, email editor@clubrugby.co.nz or message us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/NZClubRugby/

UPDATE: The Hurricanes U20s won the match 33-29. Visit Photos across the top of this page for a gallery. A group of Wellington players are set to meet the Blues for the Hurricanes U20s  side this Saturday. The players are: Billy Proctor (Marist St Pat's), Lester Maulolo (Petone), Malo Tuitama (Ories), Piri Paraone (Petone), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa), Hugh Renton (OBU), Anthony Pettett (Johnsonville), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Alex Fidow (Ories), Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Ben Power (HOBM), Sitiveni Paongo (Tawa), Josh Brown (Upper Hutt Rams).

The second consecutive weekend of international club rugby this coming weekend sees Petone host Argintinian club Cardinal Newman. The Premier and Premier Reserve squads are in action, with kick-offs early to mid-afternoon. Newman plays in the Buenos Aires Top 14 competition, along with C.U.B.A who struck often late in the game to beat Old Boys University 45-15 last Saturday.

Former Marist St Pat's Premier and Wellington U19s coach Clayton McMillan has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians side to face the British and Irish Lions in their tour opener in Northland on 3 June. McMillan is assisted by former Hurricanes wing Roger Randle and Wanganui coach Chris Back. 

A touring Argentinian side club called Club Universidad de Buenos Aires (C.U.B.A.) is currently touring New Zealand and this weekend they play Old Boys University (time and venue TBC) and next weekend face Petone. C.U.B.A play in the Buenos Aires rugby union competition and are the team from Buenos Aires University, the biggest university in the country. They are like the OBU equivalent and play in the Premier division. They're bringing some 50 players and a group of supporters. Welcome to Wellington! UPDATE: Saturday's matches against the Premier Reserves and Premier teams are at 12.30pm and 2.30pm respectively at Prince of Wales Park. 

New Zealand's Fairfax rugby writers have compiled a Super Rugby team guide for the NZ teams on the eve of this year's competition. Read more here 

Murphy Taramai (Upper Hutt Rams) is set to make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues when they take on the Rebels in Melbourne on Thursday night. Taramai will come off the reserves bench. The Rebels could also have Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United) in their line-up. 

Everybody came away from the sold-out Dallison Park with something that they wanted from the Farmlands Grassroots Game Day in Waverley on Friday evening. With 'home' side the Hurricanes and the visiting Crusaders fielding virtually all of their stars for what amounted to two 40 minute games against separate XV's, opposing coaches Chris Boyd and Scott Robertson were able to confirm their regular starters should be the form players to begin the Super Rugby campaign this coming weekend. Read the rest of the community rugby summary by the Wanganui Chronicle here

New Super Rugby season, new opportunities for young players to impress in New Zealand. In looking at the five Kiwi teams, Marshall notes that 33 players will be making their debuts and looks at their chances. Read more here 

Beauden and Jordie Barrett will combine for the first time in Hurricanes colours when they face the Crusaders in Waverley on Friday. The two Coastal club brothers are included in the Hurricanes' squad named on Thursday for their final pre-season match at the Border rugby club before they defend their Super Rugby title in 2017. Beauden and Jordie will start at first five-eighth and fullback respectively, with Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd welcoming All Blacks back to his team after reaching the semi-finals of last weekend's inaugural Brisbane Global Tens. TJ Perenara (Northern United) and Julian and Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) are back in the fold, but Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will not play in Waverley as he prepares for the coming season. Read more here

The  Johnsonville Terrahawks are the inagural BLK U85kg Club Sevens winners. The Terrahawks defeated the Wellington Lightaxemen in the Cup final of the tournament that was organised and hosted by Wainuiomata at William Jones Park. Avalon won the Plate and the Upper Hutt Rams won the Bowl. UPDATE: Photos of the tournament here 

At the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council Incorporated’s Annual General and Special General Meetings held in Palmerston North on Wednesday 8 February, the following Officers and Officials were elected by the delegates representing the Council’s member Provincial Unions. President: Grant Gilbert (Hawkes Bay Rugby Football Union), Vice-President: Nick Reid (Manawatu Secondary Schools Rugby Board, Awatapu College), Chairman: Gordon Noble-Campbell (Hurricanes), Secretary: David Fa’atafa (Wellington Secondary Schools Rugby Union), Treasurer: Richard Henderson (Wellington Rugby Football Union). In addition to the above appointments, Grant Gilbert, Nick Reid and John Hornal (a Council Life Member and former Council President) were elected as the Council’s delegates to the New Zealand Schools Rugby Union.

Lots of interest around when the first round Premier Swindale Shield and Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield draws will be released, following the circulation of draft draws several weeks ago. Update: These are due out next week. 

New Zealand's favourite rugby team, the Hurricanes, have reported that their membership has increased by 30 percent since they lifted the Super Rugby title last year. The defending Super Rugby champions will enter the 2017 season with at least 6,000 members after more than 1,400 additional fans joined the Canes Family during the off-season.

The opening salvoes of the 2017 Super Rugby season are fired today in Auckland when the Blues host the Hurricanes in their opening hit-outs of the year. The Hurricanes have named 32 players, with one team expected to take the field each half. Read more here

The Upper Hutt Rams team to contest this weekend's National Club Sevens tournament in Hamilton is: Upper Hutt Rams team: Hayden Schrijvers (captain), Max Pearson (vice-captain), Daniel Schrijvers, Mitchell Markov, Josh Hunt, Nash Fiso-Vaelei, Salesi Rayasi, Nua Fono-Hunt, Kaide McCashin, Colin Leilua-Toilolo, Joyner Key, Tafa Tafa. 

How much did the media's barrage of negative press around the sevens hurt the tournament? The media, in particular our friends at the Dominion Post, went big on kicking the sevens from to go to woe this year. Appreciate they are not a propaganda machine, but their relentless negativty for hits and comments on their stories hasn't helped. Second, there were no more than 5,000 people inside that Stadium on Sunday (likely fewer), so who are they tricking by saying there were 10,000 on each day? Read more here 

It’s a thrashing that has made headlines around the world. The Howe of Fife 2^nd XV in the UK were drubbed 172-0 last Saturday by rivals Blairgowrie. It has led to national debate in rugby circles this week about apparent problems facing Rugby Union north of the border. It’s been suggested that some lower tier clubs may face oblivion if the problem persists.But the rugby authorities – who insist the game overall is in good shape – insist it’s a lot more complex than just saying that rugby isn’t attracting junior players. In fact, the sport is attracting more youngsters than ever before. Read more here

Former Northern United wing Sinoti Sinoti and former Avalon No. 8 Thomas Waldrom have featured prominently in the OPTA statistics after the latest round of English Premiership rugby. Newcastle Falcons wing Sinoti beat 9 defenders, the most of the round (former Tasman fullback Tom Marshall second with 8), while Exeter Chiefs backrower Waldrom made the second most tackles with 21 and the fourth most carries with 17.

It's Guppy versus Trump. The Upper Hutt Rams are taking on the USA Eagles in a warm-up Sevens fixture at North Park, Petone at 4.30pm this afternoon. Both sides are using this as preperation for upcoming tournaments, the Eagles for this weekend's Wellington Sevens and the Rams for next weekend's National Club Sevens in Hamilton. 

Looking for HSBC Wellington Sevens tournament draws, news and information? The official website is here 

Hutt Old Boys Marist and former Wellington Lions centre Tomasi Alosio has been picked to make his second appearance at the Wellington Sevens next weekend in the Manu Samoa 7s squad. 

An investigation into English Premiership club Sale Sharks possibly breaching head injury management protocol is likely to be concluded next week.The probe follows an incident in Sale's Premiership clash against Harlequins on January 7, when Sharks' Samoa and former Old Boys University back-row forward TJ Ioane completed the match despite appearing to show signs of concussion in the first half.bIoane took a blow to the head while tackling Harlequins forward Dave Ward in the 30th minute of a 29-26 defeat at the Twickenham Stoop, groggily returned to his feet and remained in action until the final whistle. Read more here

The Wellington Lions opened their NPC Division 2 campaign with a 41-29 win over the Manawatu Turbos in Palmerston North today. Scoring: Wellington 41 (Sheridan Rangihuna, Alex Fidow, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Malo Tuitama tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, Dan Kirkpatrick pen) Manawatu 29 (Willy Ambaka, Curtis Reid, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jackson Hemopo, Jade Te Rure tries; Otere Black 2 con) HT 26-22 For more go here 

St Mary's College player Lyric Faleafaga has been awarded a NZRU Black Ferns Sevens training contract for the next year. Lyric was in the St Mary's team that won the National Condor 7s in Auckland in December and recently played for Wellington at the Nationals. She also played on the wing for the St Mary's 15s team that finished second at the Top Four in September. Kat Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) has also been awarded a full contract for the year ahead. 

Samoa has named its initial 25-player squad for the Brisbane 10s on 11 and 12 February. Read more here A group of well-known NZ club players were in the trial group at Apia Park earlier this week. 

The Wellington men's side missed out to eventual winners Counties Manukau at the Cup semi-final stage of today's National 7s in Rotorua. Wellington led the Steelers outfit 12-5, but were mowed down late to settle for third place after defeating Tasman 14-10 in their Cup quarter-final. The Wellington women's team beat Otago 21-19 in the playoff for seventh/eighth, after sustaining a 10-26 defeat to Manawatu in their Cup quarter-final and being pipped 17-19 by Waikato in their Plate semi-final fixture. Full results here

Day one results of the National 7s and the draw for the Cup quarter-finals can be viewed here Day Two coverage and tournament round-up published on Club Rugby on Sunday evening. 

Chris Gibbes sounds like a man made for the job he's walking into. For the past four years he has been coaching Welsh team Ospreys, after leaving Waikato to gain more coaching experience overseas. It's when Gibbes talks about his role that you get the idea he is perfect for Wellington. "We've been in a dark place at times," Gibbes said, "but we've developed a young group of players here who are very exciting, and the club is in a trending upwards position." Read more here

Former Hastings BHS, Upper Hutt Rams and Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Canterbury, Hurricanes, Blues, Force and All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson is winging his way to England to link up with Bristol. Read more here

World Rugby’s new directives for punishing high tackles come into effect this weekend, but in truth they have left it up to coaches and players to figure out for themselves how to adapt. What is the law change, what has changed, why are they doing this now and what will it mean? Read more here

The Waikato Men and the Manawatu Women won the Men’s and Women’s Cups at today’s Bay of Plenty Sevens tournament at Mount Maunganui. Waikato defeated the Samoan Barbarians side 26-14 in the Men’s Cup final, while Manawatu beat Auckland 12-10 in the Women’s decider. Waikato beat Counties Manukau 28-7 in their semi-final while Manawatu defeated BoP in their semi-final. Manawatu won the Men’s Plate final, defeating Auckland 35-14 in the final and Wellington won the Men’s Bowl, beating North Harbour by default in the final. Wellington won the Women’s Plate, beating Waikato 21-17 in the final.

The team at Club Rugby wishes everyone a happy New Year and safe travels for 2017, which promises to be a big year on and off the rugby field. Club Rugby has a number of stories planned for the year, so stay tuned. If anyone wants to contribute please drop us an email at editor@clubrugby.co.nz 

Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) is set to remain in France after reportedly agreeing to extend his deal with club side Toulon. Nonu has reportedly agreed to terms, but is yet to officially sign off on the extension with the Top 14 juggernauts. Nonu joined Toulon after capturing a second consecutive Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks in 2015.  We agreed to the oral, we just have to write it. If everything goes well, we will announce it quickly," Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal told French media. Nonu's current deal expires next June. His Toulon side, featuring Aussie stars Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor currently sit fourth on the Top 14 table and are second in their European Champions Cup pool. - NZ Herald

Former Petone and Old Boys University flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth has become the 19th player to join English Premiership rugby's 1,000 point club. Gopperth kicked eight from eight for Wasps in their recent 40-26 win over Bath to become the oldest player at 33 years and 187 days to reach the milestone. Other New Zealand players to reach 1,000 points are Glen Jackson are Nick Evans (still playing). Charlie Hodgson is the all-time leading points scorer in English rugby with 2,623. As a comparison, Grant Fox kicked 1,561 points for Auckland. 

Club Rugby wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy festive season with family and friends. Drink up and eat plenty and then get stuck into training in the New Year! 

View our year in photos in Wellington rugby. Part two gallery here

View our year in photos in Wellington rugby. Part one gallery here 

You would have thought that Christmas had come a week early given the amount of cards that referees were giving out over the course of the last round of European matches. It is no coincidence that officials became so card-happy in the week that World Rugby announced that it will be introducing a “zero-tolerance” approach to contact with the head. Even though these directives will not kick in until the New Year, its spirit was followed with the six red cards all involving contact with the head of an opponent.  The tally of sendings off in European competition now stands at 11 after four rounds. The previous record for an entire season is eight. That World Rugby are so proactively trying to reduce the rate of concussion in the sport – 76 per cent of head injuries come from tackles – is to be applauded...Read more here

Club Rugby and College Rugby is pleased to be part of Australian website the Roar's new Club Roar network. From early next year we'll be flicking some of our favourite video clips their way so the Roar's (predominantly Australian) audience can enjoy NZ college and club rugby as well. View their website here 

Mark Abbott (Napier Old Boys Marist) won the annual Hurricanes Surf to Peak event on Saturday, winning the gruelling event that sees players set off from Lyall Bay for a 1-kilometre run, then head into a 22km bike along Wellington's waterfront to Oriental Bay, finishing with a sprint up Mt Victoria. Abbott completed the course in 62 minutes and 40 seconds. Last year's winner was James Blackwell, while Brad Shields is also a former winner. 

Wellington City Council is pressing ahead with plans to support a new $2.1 million super-clubrooms at Kilbirnie Park, but it won't be forcing bitter rugby Poneke and Marist St Pat's to share a beer there. The council will contribute $750,000 towards the establishment of the new Toitu Poneke Community and Sports Hub, which will see Poneke share its new-and-improved home with seven other sports clubs. The council had wanted Poneke and nearby MSP to share the sports hub after its $2.1 million upgrade is complete in 2018.  MSP would not be part of the new centre, but "the door is always open for them and more to join," Councillor Paul Eagle said. MSP still expressed a desire to build its own Catholic sports club in the other corner of Kilbirnie Park, but had not asked for funding from the city council.

The Johnsonville Rugby Football Club is seeking applications for a Premier Reserves and a Colts coach for 2017. The ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate the following attributes: You can drive change/ You are a people’s person and can relate to people andplayers of all ages and cultures/You are technically sound and your understanding of the new-age game of rugby is extremely proficient/ You are hardworking and committed/ You want to embark on a growth opportunity. If you think you are the right person for one of these roles, please email your coaching CV and details to JRFCrugbycommittee@ gmail.com outlining which role you would be looking to take on.

Five Wellington referees have been selected in the 2017 NZ Rugby High Performance Referee Team. Ben O'Keeffe and Mike Fraser are in the fulltime professional squad, while Richard Gordon, Vincent Ringrose and Nick Hogan (new) are in the Development squad to referee matches such as Heartland Championship fixtures.

The inaugural GJ Gardner World Schools Sevens pilot event will take place next Saturday in Auckland. The boys teams are Australia, NZ Condors, NZ Maori, NZ Fijians, Samoan Barbarians and the Cook Islands. The girls teams are Australia, NZ Condors, NZ Wasps, Samoan Barbarians. The Wellington players in the NZ teams are: NZ Maori - Grayson Whitman (St Patricks Town). NZ Condors Boys - Billy Proctor (St Patricks Town). NZ Condors Girls - Chyene Copeland (St Marys College), Ayesha Leti-iga (Porirua College), Lyric Faleafaga (St Marys College), Dhys Faleafaga (St Marys College), Monica Tagoai (St Marys College and Ainsleyana Puleiata (St Marys College)

The Avalon Rugby Club is now seeking a new Club Development Officer that has recently been left vacant by the departing Scott Waldrom who has gone on to coach the New Zealand 7’s team. To succeed in this role you will need to have a proven track record of being able to self-manage, have the ability to think on your feet and have a sound knowledge of rugby at grass roots level and beyond. For a full Job Description and responsibilities please contact Glenn Kennedy by either emailing avalonrugby@hotmail.co.nz or calling him on 021 973522. The vacancy closes at 5:00pm on Friday 16 December 2016.

St Pat'S Town and NZ Secondary Schools centre Billy Proctor will play for Marist St Pat's in 2017 after being allocated to the club through the Wellington Rugby Academy programme. Billy has been one of the standout players in the very successful St Pat's rugby programme over the past few years and has played in a number of representative sides. Most recently he was named to train with the Wellington Men's Sevens team.  He has just completed his final tournament with the college at the Condor 7s in Auckland where he was named in the tournament team. Read more here

The Wellington Axemen enjoyed a good day out at the Napier Old Boys Marist Invitational 7s on Saturday, reaching the Cup semi-finals. The Axemen beat the Havelock Fijians, Napier Pirate and Hastings Rugby and Sports to win our pool and make the cup semi-finals. They then lost that semi 19-14 to the Taranaki 7s compeitions winners, the Southern Sharks. Poneke won the bowl, Napier Pirate won the Plate, NOBM went on to win the cup. The next tournament for the Axemen and other Wellington clubs is the Hawke's Bay Club 7s on 18 February.

New photo galleries of this weekend's 2016 Weepu 7s tournament can be viewed at Photos across the top of this page. Look out for our Condor 7s galleries next weekend and then the Central Regional 7s qualifying tournament on 10 December. 

TJ Perenara (Northern United) has been selected to start at halfback for the All Blacks in their final Test of 2016, against France in Paris this Sunday morning at 9.00am (NZT). Dane Coles (Poneke) and Julian and Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) are the other Wellington players in the 23 for this international. The All Blacks will be hunting their 44th win in their 57th Test against France. 

Jackie Patea (Wainuiomata) has been called into the Black Ferns as an injury cover replacement for their final two tour matches in Dublin, Ireland, against Canada and Ireland.

Battered hooker Dane Coles (Poneke) will be wary of France after thrashing them in the World Cup quarter-final just over a year ago, at the end of a long season. Read more here

The Wellington Mens and Women's teams finished runners-up to Bay of Plenty sides at last weekend's Auckland 7s tournament, with Hayden Schrijvers (Upper Hutt Rams) the men's MVP, Esi Komaisavai (Northern United) the men’s top try scorer and Ayesha Leti’Iiga (Oriental-Rongotai) the women's top try-scorer. Read more here

The Wellington sevens team won all three of their matches on day one of the Auckland 7s on Saturday. Wellington beat Bay of Plenty 19-14, North Harbour East 26-12 and Northcote 14-0. The men's crossover matches and women's competition resumes on Sunday. 

Earl Va’a has decided to step aside as Wellington Lions head coach. After two years at the helm of the Lions NPC squad, Va’a announced today he will not be seeking reappointment for 2017. Va’a, who is also Wellington Rugby’s high performance manager, said he remained passionate about the province and the Lions and had a strong desire to remain involved in the union. Chairman Iain Potter said the board respected Va’a’s decision and would be advertising immediately for a new Wellington Lions head coach for 2017.

OBU is seeking a Head Coach for our successful Division One Colts Team – OBU Green for 2017 onwards to build on the club’s recent success. The role covers the operational coaching and selection of the Colts Teams together with engagement in player recruitment & retention, developing team culture and building and maintaining relationships throughout the club and linked organisations such as WRFU, NZRU & NZ Universities.  To apply, download the Expression of Interest form from www.oburugby.com  Address enquiries to: OBU Club Coaching Coordinator, Dave Loveridge – dave.loveridge@rugbyroad.co.nz and Director of Rugby, Zak Feaunati - zak@oburugby.com. Applications close Friday 2nd December at 10.00 am

The easy road for Xavier Numia would have been to sit out a lot of the first XV rugby season. Instead, the St Pat's Town prop played through the pain of an injured meniscus in one of this knees, which he suffered in just the second game of the season. It was still causing him pain as he collected the College Sport Wellington Rugby Player of the Year award on November 6, beating out team-mate Billy Proctor and Wellington College's Naitoa Ah Kuoi to the coveted prize. Read more here

The Wellington men's and women's sevens teams are in Auckland this weekend for the sixth annual Auckland 7s tournament on the North Shore. The Wellington men are the defending champions and the women finished third last year. Check back here over the next 2-3 days for a sevens player story and a tournament preview. 

Dane Coles (Poneke) won the Wellingtonian of the Year award at Thursday night's Wellington awards. Coles captained the Hurricanes to their maiden Super Rugby title. Read more here

The re-scheduled WRFU Satellite Sevens tournament is set to run this Saturday on the upper fields of Porirua Park. More details coming later on Friday.

Several current or recent Wellington club rugby players have been selected in the Maori All Blacks to play Munster on Saturday morning (NZT). Included in the match-day squad are Leni Apisai (Northern United), Ben May (Old Boys University), Tim Bateman (Old Boys University), Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai), Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai) and Chris Eves (Johnsonville).

Both the All Blacks and Black Ferns are represented in the World Rugby Player of the year awards with Dane Coles and Beauden Barrett nominated for the men’s award and Fiao’o Faamausili up for the women’s award. Read more here

Brooke Tauaneai (Wainuiomata High School) and Xavier Numia (St Pat's Town) hve won the College Sport Wellington rugby gongs at their end of year awards on Sunday night. Both props, Tauaneai made six appearances for the Wellington Pride this year and Numia played for the New Zealand Secondary School team in their internationals against Fiji and Australia. 

Oriental-Rongotai left wing Julian Savea is set to play his 50th Test this Sunday morning at 9.00am (NZT) against Ireland in Chicago. Savea is joined by his brother Ardie Savea (Ories), TJ Perenara (Northern United) and Dane Coles (Poneke) in the match-day squad. 

Wellington first five-eighth/fullback Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United) confirmed today that he is joining the Rebels. "I'm excited to sign my first Super Rugby contract, it's been a goal of mine for the last four of years since I left school to take the next step so I'm very happy that Melbourne has given me the opportunity," Garden-Bachop said. Read more here

The American Ambassador's WRFU Club Championship Sevens tournament is this Saturday at Mary Crowther Park, Wainuiomata. The draw and pools are set to be finalised on Friday morning. Check WRFU channels for more and re-visit here on Friday for our preview. 

Reggie Goodes (Poneke) and Brad Shields (Petone) have been named to start for the Barbarians against the Springboks this coming weekend in London. Goodes and Shields are two of several current New Zealand players in the team to take the field the field at Wembley Stadium. For more read here 

Upper Hutt Rams loose forward Murphy Taramai has been rewrded for a strong season with North Harbour with a Super Rugby contract with the Blues for 2017. The Head Coach of the Blues is Petone's Tana Umaga. Meanwhile, another former Upper Hutt Rams player, Kayne Hammington, has been selected for the Highlanders.

The College Sport Wellington Awards are this coming Sunday night. The rugby nominees are: Boys: Ropati So'oalo (Aotea College), Roy Maiava (Bishop Viard College), Teagan Harawira (Heretaunga College), Rielly Edwards (Hutt International), Ollie Wrigley (Hutt Valley High), Caleb Mareikura-Martin (Kapiti College), Caleb Cudby (Mana College), Jordan Sului (Naenae College), Grishin Muller (Onslow College), Tamakapua Hami-Cook (Otaki College), Konor Coan (Paraparaumu College), Tuiuli Tialia (Porirua College), Denzelle To'O (Rongotai College), Connor Garden-Bachop (Scots College), Matthew Mann (St Bernard's), Jarrod Harawira (Silverstream), Xavier Numia (St Pat's College, Town), Billy Proctor (St Pat's College, Town), Jonsey Elekana-Tuuga (Tawa College), Carter Fincham (Upper Hutt College), Tanara Haenga (Wainuiomata High), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington College). Girls: Eve Siania (Aotea College), Caitlyn Lewin (Hutt Valley High), Kiki Tahere-Porter (Kapiti College), Milly Mackey (Newlands), Renee Marshall (Paraparaumu College), Ayesha Leti (Porirua College), Bernadine Solo (St Catherine's College), Monica Tagoai (St Mary's College), Tyra Misky (Tawa College), Anita Vailalo (Upper Hutt College), Brooke Tauaneai (Wainuiomata High), Taimane Siaosi (Wellington East)

View the 2017 Hurricanes squad here 

View Photos across the top of this page to view new photo galleries from the weekend, including the WRFU Women's and Village Kings 10-a-side tournaments.

A WRFU Women's Sevens tournament is tomorrow at Ian Galloway Park. The six teams entered are: Oriental-Rongotai, Marist St Pat's, Northern United, Old Boys University, Hutt Old Boys Marist and Avalon. Three rounds of Pool matches start at 9.00am and conclude at approximately 12.30pm. The Bowl Final is at 1.15pm, the Plate Final is at 1.32pm and the Cup Final is at 1.49pm.

Former Upper Hutt Rams hooker Anaru Rangi won the Australian NRC title with his Perth Spirit side over the weekend. Rangi added impetus off the bench in his side's upset 20-16 win over the NSW Country Eagles. Read more here

The Wellington U15s Condor 7s tournament is being at Naenae College this coming Saturday, running from 9.15am-3pm. A dozen teams have confirmed their entry, with the winner representing Wellington at the National Condor 7s U15 tournament in Auckland in early December. 

Wellington Football club lock/flanker Vaea Fifita has been named as a standby player for the All Blacks for their end of year European tour. Read the squad annoncement here 

Marist St Pat's will have new Premier coaches in 2017. The two-time beaten Jubilee Cup finalists have appointed former successful U85kg team coach and this year's Harper Lock Shield coach Andrew Robinson and former Cup winner and Hurricanes lock Bernie Upton who has spent this year on the OBU coaching staff. The pair take over from Ross Bond and Brendan Reidy. Read more here

Following the cancellation of last Saturday’s Satellite Sevens tournament, the local season has been re-jigged. The following dates are now in play:

• Saturday 29 October: Women’s Only Satellite Seven’s Tournament @ Ian Galloway Park #1
• Saturday 5 November: Combined (Men’s, Women’s & Colts) Ambassador Sevens Tournament @ Mary Crowther Park
• Saturday 12 November: Men’s Only Satellite Sevens Tournament @ Venue TBC

View the Wellington and North Harbour teams in our Draws & Results section here

Oriental-rongotai supporter Bobby Gates, who passed away this week, was an ever vocal and loyal supporter of his Ories team, always on the sideline shouting for his team whenever his health allowed. Bobby will be forever missed and fondly remembered by all at the club and many in the Wellington club rugby community. He was a regular contributor to our website, making his support known on the Draws & Results pages each week. 

The Wellington Football Club (The Axemen) are looking to appoint Head Coaches for both their Premier and U21 Colts teams for 2017. Premier Coach focused on forward play preferred. Building on their great success and growth over the last few years they are looking to go further and challenge for silverware in these two elite grades. Enquiries to Chairman, Jason Judd 021 280 2514 / juddie@paradise.net.nz, or Club Captain, Walker Manaena 021 768 533 / walker.manaena@corrections.co.nz by 30 October.

The Wellington Lions will host North Harbour in their Men's NPC Championship semi-final next Saturday afternoon at Westpac Stadium. Top qualifier Otago host Bay of Plenty in the other in Dunedin on Friday night. 

Salesi Rayasi (Upper Hutt Rams) will make his Lions debut on the left wing when Wellington play Waikato in the final round of their Men's NPC campaign at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
He is one of eight changes to the team that started against Taranaki last Sunday,in one of Wellington's worst ever losses. A product of St Pats Silverstream, Rayasi will follow in the footsteps of his father Filipe who represented Wellington on the wing as well as being capped 13 times for Fiji between 1994 and 1997. View the competiton Draws & Results here

The WRFU award nominess have been announced for 2016. For more read here

The trial breakdown laws introduced to domestic rugby this year have been red carded. New Zealand Rugby high performance referee manager Rod Hill confirmed the trial breakdown laws used in the Men's NPC have been dumped by World Rugby although there would not be a total return to the old laws around the breakdown. The trial involving six-point tries and two-point penalties, used in the Heartland Championship this year, has also been dumped. The big change at the breakdown is the ''fetcher'' will be allowed back into the game and there will be more of a breakdown contest. Read more here

The 2016 15s community rugby season draws to a close tomorrow with the Wellington Development side playing the final match of their campaign against Tasman Development. Kick-off at Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park is at 12.00pm. 

Otago is back in charge of its own destiny in the Men's NPC after Manawatu scored a convincing win over Wellington last night. Manawatu beat Wellington 50-28 to put itself back into contention for the semi-finals.With the result, Otago stays on top of the Championship on 29 points. Wellington could have gone top with a win. Wellington is also on 29 points, but Otago stays top as it won the match between the two teams. Manawatu is third on 20 points.  Otago no longer has to rely on other results to finish top of the ladder and gain home advantage for the playoffs. Read more here 

Some details of WRFU club Sevens tournaments coming up have been released. There are three Sevens tounrnaments this year, wth a Satelitte [warm-up] tournament at Porirua Park on 15 October followed by two Ambassador Sevens tournaments on Saturday 5 November at Mary Crowther Park, Wainuiomata and Saturday 26 November at nearby William Jones Park. It appears that the second tournament doubles as the annual Piri Weepu Sevens event. Details TBC. 

The Petone RFC is seeking applications for coaches for 2017 for its senior grades -  Premier, Premier Reserve, Colts and U85kgs teams seeking coaches. For more contact CCO James Porter on portsja13@gmail.com or on the phone at 027 9136701

For the first time since 2006, Horowhenua-Kapiti’s Under 16 team will contest the final of the Saracens Cup in the Hurricanes U16 Tournament. Horowhenua-Kapiti will play the unbeaten Wellington Development team in the 2016 Division B Saracens Cup Final. In Division A, Manawatu will look to reverse their earlier round-robin loss, as they look to claim the Don Broughton Shield. Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay in the play-off for third place in Division A.

The schedule of matches today is:

• Division B - 5th/6th Play-Off - Wanganui vs East Coast – 9.30am
• Division B – 3rd/4th Play-Off – Wairarapa-Bush vs Hawkes Bay Development – 9.30am
• Division B – Final – Wellington Development vs Horowhenua-Kapiti – 10.15am
• Division A – 3rd/4th Play-Off – Hawkes Bay vs Poverty Bay – 11.00am
• Division A – Final – Wellington vs Manawatu – 11.00am

Robbie Fruean has linked with his old New Zealand coaches at English club Bath. He will move north once he completes his stint with Hawke's Bay in the NPC. Kiwi coaches Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson are making a rapid impression at Bath, who sit third on the English Premiership table with three wins and a loss from the opening month. Fruean is held in high regard by the coaching duo who returned him to the Crusaders in 2015 and 2016 after a deal with the Chiefs was blighted by illness. Fruean started with the Hurricanes in 2009.

Wellington Rugby and Losi Filipo have mutually agreed to the termination of his contract. Filipo today withdrew himself from the Wellington Lions 2016 Men's NPC squad in a move he hopes will go some way toward helping the victims of his assault move on with their lives. With support from his representative and the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association Filipo approached Wellington Rugby this afternoon seeking a release from his playing contract and, after discussions the parties agreed that the termination of his contract was the best outcome for all parties.

Tuesday's tournament results:

• Division A: Manawatu 47 - Poverty Bay 16 and Wellington 38 - Hawke’s Bay 12
• Division B: Wellington Development 88 – Wanganui 0, Hawke’s Bay Development 26 – East Coast 7 and Wairarapa Bush 38 – Horowhenua –Kapiti 3

UPDATED: The Hurrcanes Youth Council U16 tournament is being played in Palmerston North this week. The Don Broughton Shield (Division A) and Saracens Cup (Dvision B) are the two prizes up for grabs for the Wellington A and Wellington Development teams.

Monday's results were: Division A (Don Broughton Shield): Wellington A - 45 Poverty Bay 3 and Manawatu 28 – Hawke’s Bay 22 Division B (Saracens Cup):  Wairarapa-Bush 44 – Wanganui 8; Horowhenua-Kapiti 47 – East Coast 8; Wellington Development 62 – Hawke’s Bay Development

Northland's search for a Men's NPC win comes back to the last ground on which they tasted victory. They take on an in-form Wellington at Toll Stadium in what shapes to be a decisive fixture. Despite not registering a win so far in 2016, the Taniwha could still make the playoffs......all they need to do is simply win every one of their four remaining matches. That begins with a clash against Wellington who are running second in the Championship. They're coming off the back of a 24-10 win over Bay of Plenty, a side that beat Northland just two weeks ago 52-25. Read more here

The venues haven't been released yet, but the dates and opposition for the Hurricanes' 2017 campaign have been. Hurricanes fans can look forward to eight Investec Super Rugby home matches in 2017 as well as a fixture British & Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium - which should be against the Wellington Lions not a Super Rugby side. The Hurricanes will host three New Zealand derby matches - against the Highlanders (March 18), Chiefs (June 9) and Crusaders (July 15) and five inter-conference games. Other home games will include the Rebels (March 4), Waratahs (April 7), and the 2016 Australian Conference winning Brumbies (April 21) followed by the South African Conference winning Stormers (May 5) and the Cheetahs (May 20).

More photo galleries have added to the 'Representative' folder in the Photos section above. More to come.

Big brother Julian Savea has long known that little brother Ardie was destined to be something special. The signs were obvious from as far back as Julian can remember. What struck him as unusual was that there was a four-year age gap between them and yet Ardie would be out on the field with him every week when they were kids. "There wasn't a particular game but just the fact he kept playing on my team which was about three years older than what his age was," says Savea senior of when he first realised the talent his younger sibling possessed. read more here

Several well known players will take the field for Bay of Plenty this evening against the Wellington Lions. Former Wellington club players in the Steamers' line-up include Solomona Sakalia (MSP), James O'Reilly (HOBM), Shahn Eru (Wainui), Henry Stowers (Wainui), Luke Campbell (OBU) and Ruki Tipuna (Poneke). The match kicks off at the made for Sky TV unfriendly time for children to who are the next generation of fans to attend time of 7.45pm. 

Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) is set to start at openside flanker for the All Blacks against the Springboks in Christchurch on Saturday night, replacing Sam Cane. In one other change, Lima Sopoaga (Old Boys University) replaces Aaron Cruden on the bench.

Do you have what it takes? Northern United are currently reviewing all coaching roles within the club for 2017. and seek interested personnel for coaching and managing the following teams: Premiers, Premier Reserves, Colts, First Grade and Women’s teams. If you have the skills to assist Norths please email your interests to NURFC – chairman Mr Eddie Ellison your application by 5.00pm Tuesday 20th September 2016 – eddie@ellisonFinance.co.nz

Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper has announced the coaching and management team for the Maori All Blacks' 2016 northern tour at the end of this year. Former All Blacks captain and Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga has been appointed Assistant Coach and former All Blacks prop and Waikato Forwards Coach Carl Hoeft has been appointed Assistant Forwards Coach.

Hurricanes, Wellington Lions and Upper Hutt Rams fullback Jason Woodward is to join Englsh side Bristol in November. The 26 year-old – who is equally adept at full back or wing – has made 43 appearances in Super Rugby for Melbourne Rebels and the Hurricanes, notching 252 points. Read more here

Scott Waldrom is a step closer to achieving his dream job of coaching the New Zealand Sevens team. The position is currently being advertised and Waldrom says his CV is in the mail. "I am really keen to be involved in any capacity really. Only time will tell if New Zealand Rugby see me as part of their future plans." The job became vacant after Sir Gordon Tietjens stepped down after New Zealand finished out of the medals at the Rio Olympics. Read more here

UPDATE: Manawatu hosted Wellington U19 in the Central Region Shield decider in Palmerston North on Saturday, with Wellingtn winning 38-13. , Listen to Gordon Noble-Campbell's and Sam Doyle's commentary on Te Upoko here

Oriental Rongotai Football Club (Ories) is seeking applications for the Head Coach of the Premier Men's Team for 2017. Ories have a proud history of success at all levels of representative rugby as well as creating opportunities for our players to achieve higher honours. The Head Coach needs to have outstanding leadership and management skills, effective talent identification and development systems and the ability to build strong relationships and trust with players and all key stakeholders. They also seeking someone who has role strong empathy for the values that underpin the club. A Job description and application form can be obtained by contacting Ories Chairperson Suzanne Bell at suzbellnz@yahoo.com . Applications close on Wednesday 21st September at 12pm.

The Wellington Pride were defeated 37-5 by competition hot-shots Counties Manukau in their sixth round Women's NPC fixture on Friday night. The Pride were overhwelmed by a big, physical Heat pack and some aggessive defence that put them on the back foot. The Heat scored four unconverted tries and led 20-0 at halftime,  extending this further after the interval.

Wellington captain Brad Shields will shift to openside in a reshuffled Lions loose forward trio for Friday’s NPC match against Counties-Manukau. Lions head coach Earl Va’a has made just one personnel change to his run-on team for the inaugural Jonah Tali Lomu Memorial Trophy match  in Pukekohe. Lock Sam Lousi returns to the starting team alongside Isaia Walker-Leawere in the second row, with Hoani Matenga reverting to No 8 where he played in the season opener against Hawke’s Bay, and Shields wearing the No 7 shirt for the first time in 2016. The other feature of the Lions squad is the return from injury of prop Reggie Goodes and lock Mark Reddish via the reserves bench.

Hutt Old Boys Marist, home of the Ed Chaney Cup and the Women's Division 2 championship trophy, are inviting management and coaching appplicants for its following teams: Premier, Premier Reserve, Women's, First Grade, Colts and U85kg. Please send current rugby CV and team you are applying for to Josh Syms at joshsyms.hobm@gmail.com or phone 027 2035305. Applications close 16 September. 

Wellington's St Mary's College missed out 29-46 to Southland Girls' High School in the Girls Top 4 National final on Sunday in Palmerston North. Southland were fast out of the blocks and raced to a 22-0 lead. St Mary's came back into the match later in the second half but it was too much for them to overcome. Read more here 

Next week's Men’s NPC fixture between the Counties Manukau Steelers and Wellington Lions on Friday 9 September in Pukekohe will have a special touch. Both sides will be honouring the life of Jonah Lomu, by playing in the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy Match. Lomu was a proud Counties and Wellington man and he was a stand out for both provincial unions. He played 28 games for Counties Manukau between 1994-1999 and 21 games for Wellington between 2000-2003. The “Number 11” Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy will go on the line every time Counties Manukau and Wellington meet in the future.  

Wellington's St Mary's College have qualified for Sunday's national Top 4 final, beating two-time defending champions Hamilton Girls' High School 22-17 in today's semi-finals. They will play Southland Girls' High School in the final (kick-off noon Sunday) after their 43-24 win over Kaipara College. 

Zeke Sopoaga and older brother Lima are both set to line up for the Southland Stags against Auckland in Invercargill on Friday night. The first five-eighth has been released from the All Blacks to play for Southland against Auckland and will start at fullback in the round three game. Zeke has been named on the bench as the brothers prepare to play in the same team together. While Wellington is home for the two brothers after growing up in the capital, it will be in the maroon jersey of Southland that they get to play their first top-flight provincial game together. Read more here

OBU is seeking a Head Coach of our Premier team for 2017 onwards to build on the club’s recent success.bThe role covers the operational coaching and selection of the Premier team together with engagement in player recruitment & retention, developing team culture and building and maintaining relationships throughout the club and linked organisations such as WRFU, NZRU & NZ Universities. To apply, download the Expression of Interest form from www.oburugby.com Address enquiries to: OBU Club Coaching Coordinator, Dave Loveridge – dave.loveridge@rugbyroad.co.nz And Director of Rugby, Zak Feaunati - zak@obu.rugby.com. Applications close Friday 9 September at 10.00 am

Sixteen teams from around New Zealand are competing at Massey High School in Auckland this week at the National U15 tournament. Teams play six matches in five days, making one of the toughest weeks in secondary school rugby. St Pat's Town will lead Wellington's challenge, after winning the Father Gus Hill Cup at St Pat's Silverstream, beating the home side 26-24. 

Both teams have been named for Thursday night's Men's NPC second round and Mike Gibson Memorial Trophy match between Otago and Wellington at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Both sides welcome back players from the Highlanders and Hurricanes. See the teams here

Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey says his team's problems in his area can be easily fixed and the weekend flogging by the All Blacks will fuel their fire for Saturday's return clash in Wellington. Australia conceded six tries and missed a whopping 38 tackles in the 42-8 in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney. Read more here

Some new photo galleries have been added today from the weekend's club, First XV and represetnatve rugby. More coming on Monday. View Photos across the top of this page for more.

Nine new caps are the feature of a new-look Wellington Lions squad named to play Hawke’s Bay in round one of the NPC in Napier on Saturday. New players are Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Chris Baumann, Sam Lousi, Galu Taufale (Poneke), Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Alex Fidow (Ories), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata), Kane Leaupepe (Ories) and Pakai Turia (Poneke).

St Mary's College beat Aotea College 27-10 in an exciting seven-try final at Jerry Collins Stadium in front of several hundred spectators to take out the 2016 Wellington WelTec Girls Rugby Premiership. Next Saturday they play Feilding High School in the Hurricanes Girls final. Watch video highlights of the final here

Listen to the full commentary of Sunday's WelTec Premiership First XV final between Wellington College (12) and St Pat's Town (9) by the team at Te Upoko (1161AM) here 

The 2016 Wellington Secondary School Girls Final is this Wednesday at Jerry Collins Stadium at 6.30pm betweeen Aotea College and St Mary's College. The curtain-raiser at 5pm is the Premier 2 (10s) finals between Wanuiomata High School and St Catherine's College. The winner of the Aotea - St Mary's match meets Feilding High School in Palmerston North in the Hurricanes region final on 27 August. 

Congratulations to the Tawa Titans for going back to back in the U85kg Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield, beating Johnsonville 16-5 in the final. 

A Wellington XV defeated defending champions Canterbury in Christchurch in a National Provincal Championship pre-season outing in Christchurch on Friday afternoon. Scores: Wellington XV 43 [Isaia Walker-Leaware, Losi Filipo, Asafo Aumua, Wes Goosen, Chris Baumann, Valentine Meachen, Shaun Treeby tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 2 con, Sheridan Rangihuna 2 con]
Cantabrians 14 [Reed Prinsep, Marshall Suckling tries; Ben Volavola con, Jordie Barrett con] HT: 17-7 at Rugby Park, Christchurch.

Twenty-one members of the Canterbury NPC named on Tuesday will take part in the Cantabrians match against A Wellington XV tomorrow. This will be the final game for the Cantabrians squad before the competition kicks off next week. The game will be played at Christchurch’s Rugby Park at 2pm, and it is free for the public to attend. 

On this day two years ago Reece Plumtree and his family moved back to New Zealand after periods in South Africa and Ireland. Life could hardly be better. Dad John Plumtree has just helped the Hurricanes win their maiden Super Rugby title while Reece and his younger brother Taine Plumtree (Wellington U16’s) will line-up for Wellington College in Sunday’s WelTec Premiership final against St. Pats Town at Jerry Collins Stadium. Read more here

Re-live this year's Hardham Cup final commentary from Friday night, as Hutt Old Boys Marist defeated Petone 17-5. Listen here This coming Sunday's WelTec Premiership final between Wellington College and St Pat's Town will also be broadcast live on Te Upoko on 1161AM. 

Re-live the 2016 Jubilee Cup final through the Radio Sport commentary team. Listen here 

The Hurricanes were celebrating their maiden Super Rugby title win at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night. The Hurricanes won the final, and the finals series, wth a massive defensive effort. Scores: Hurricanes 20 (Cory Jane, eauden Barrett tries; Barrett 2 pens, 2 cons)
Lions 3 (Elton Jantjies pen) Halftime: 10-3. 

The Festival series starts this coming weekend. Training for the Barbarians team commences on Tuesday 9th August, 6pm @ Petone Rugby Club.  Any questions please contact Team Manager - Grant Wall, 021 034 3028 or grant@wallsport.co.nz.

A Wellington XV defeated the Manawatu Turbos squad 33-26 in a National Provincial warm-up match in Feilding on Sunday afternoon. 

The Wellington Pride have pushed defending champions the Auckland Storm close in today's Farah Palmer Cup Women's NPC decider. Missing several players and up against a Black Ferns-laced Storm side, the Pride missed out 27-34 after leading 20-15 at halftime. Scores: Auckland 34 (Onjeurlina Leiataua, Charmaine McMenamin, Lydia Crossman 2, Fiao'o Fa'amausili 2 tries; Emma Jensen 2 con) Wellington Pride 27 (Joanah Ngan-Woo, Fa'asua Makisi, Acacia Te Iwimate tries; Amanda Rasch 3 con, 2 pen).

The Manawatu Turbos Coaching Staff have named a strong side ahead fo their clash at Feilding's Jonhnston Park against Wellington on Sunday. Hunter Prescott comes into the front row, New signing Kane Thompson comes into the lock. Curtis Reid will start at centre with Hamish Northcott inside and Matt Fuenati, Luther Hirini and Ambrose Curtis completing the backs. Read more here

The financial success of the Hurricanes' season is already assured - all that's left is one last victory on the paddock. Hosting the Lions in Saturday's sold-out Super Rugby final at Westpac Stadium will see the franchise post a tidy profit, on the back of home quarter and semifinals over the past two weeks. Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee wouldn't talk figures, but confirmed the playoff run was very much worth its while.Almost 18,000 attended the quarterfinal against the Sharks, with the Chiefs semifinal attracting 25,600. More than 34,000 are expected on Saturday, despite the forecast again making outdoor viewing an unappealing prospect. Read more here

A group of secondary school girls will be involved in the nine provincial squads in this year’s Farah Palmer Cup Women’s NPC rugby competition, starting this weekend. College Sport Media’s first profile is with Brooke Tauaneai, who has been selected in the Wellington Pride squad after a storming season playing for the champion Wainuiomata senior club side. Read more here

The times and days weekend's bucqui Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup finals have been confirmed. The Hardham Cup will be played at the Hutt Recreation Ground on Friday night at 7pm and the Jubilee Cup will kick-off at Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park at 2pm Saturday. 

Tawa No. 8 Peniasi Tokakece is this year's Billy Wallace Trophy Best and Fairest competition winner, earning his third Player of the Match accolade in his last four matches on Saturday. With the final to come this coming weekend against Marist St Pat's he can't be headed. 

The Wellington players named in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship series are: Dane Coles (Poneke), Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) and Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai). Former Wellington player Lima Sopoaga (Old Boys University) is also in this squad.

A host of new players get their chance to impress as the Tasman Makos High Performance XV prepares to take on its Welllington counterpart in their pre-season representative rugby clash at Evans Bay Park in Wellington on Wednesday. It's the second of three pre-season matches for the Makos, having already beaten the Counties Manukau Cavaliers 29-22 at Papakura in June. Kick off is at 1.30pm on Wednesday. Read more here

Read about Wairarapa-College's 7-3 upset of last year's beaten Top Four finalists Scots College in the quarter-finals of the Wellington competition on Saturday here 

The Hurricanes will meet the Lions in next Saturday's Super Rugby final at Westpac Stadium, after beatin the Chiefs 25-9 on Saturday night. An official word on how this affects the scheduling of this weekend's Wellington Premier and Premier 2 club rugby finals is expected by the WRFU later today. 

Afa Fa'atau (Oriental-Rongotai) and Murphy Taramai (Upper Hutt Rams) set the scene by scoring the first two tries in North Harbour's NPC pre-season 64-10 home win over Northland on Friday night. Read more here

With a twinkle in his eye, a grin as wide as his sidestep, and pace and skill to kill, Damian McKenzie has taken Super Rugby by storm this year, and is now gearing up for the biggest game of his career in Saturday night's Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes in Wellington. The 21-year-old dynamo has been the architect of so many Chiefs attacks this year, featuring so brilliantly in their up-tempo game, among the competition's best in several stats categories, and is coming off a man-of-the-match 25-point haul in the quarterfinal win over the Stormers in Cape Town. Read more here

Congratulations to OBU Bunnies player Matt Hall-Smith who is set to play his 100th match for this team tomorrow at Nairnville Park against Eastbourne in the Paul Potiki Shield U85kg Division 1 competition. Hall-Smith started playing for the team in 2011 and has rarely missed a match since. 

Congratulations to Northern United midfielder Siaosi Anamani for reaching the milestone of 150 Premier club rugby appearances when he took the field late in the match against Petone. Anamani, a former NZ U19 and Manawatu NPC player, will come off the bench in tomorrow's Hardham Cup semi-final against Petone at Porirua Park 

Francis Douglas Memorial College beat traditional foes St Bernard's College of Wellington 77-12 in New Plymouth yesterday. 

The homeside got out to a 43-0 lead at the break with three tries coming within the first 10 minutes of play. 

St Bernard's defence lacked throughout the game, however they managed to score two tries in the second half as their structure improved. 

Francis Douglas wing Chris Balsom scored two tries in the win. 

The three Women's representative teams for 2016; the Wellington Pride, Wellington Pride Development, and Wellington Under 18 Girl's, have been named today.  New to the Women's representative programme this year is the Wellington Pride Development team. This team has been established to help support the Wellington Pride, and will allow players on the cusp of selection play regular representative rugby. Read more and view the teams here 

Visit Photos above to view several new photo galleries from the weekend of rugby just played. Hardham Cup, Jubilee Cup and Super Rugby photos this week.

The top-qualifying Hurricanes will next weekend host the Chiefs in Wellington, while the defending champion Highlanders will travel to Johannesburg for an encounter with the Lions in next weekend's Investec Super Rugby semi-finals. Read more here

UPDATE: Six recent Wellington club rugby players have been named in this year's Bay of Plenty Steamers National Provincial Championship (NPC) squad, including Luke Campbell (Old Boys University) as one of three contracted halfbacks and Ruki Tipuna (Poneke) as another.  The other four Steamers NPC players in 2016 are prop Solomona Sakalia (Marist St Pat's), lock Shahn Eru (Wainuiomata), loose forward Henry Stowers (Wainuiomata) and outside back Chase Tiatia (Hutt Old Boys Marist). Wellington plays BoP at home on 16 September. 

From the stats desk. The Hurricanes are poised to become just the second New Zealand team to notch the milestone of 150 Super Rugby wins if they can prevail over the Sharks tomorrow night. The number of wins of each NZ franchise thus far is: Crusaders 200 wins (in 299 matches), Hurricanes 149 (278), Blues 148 (278), Chiefs 146 (279) and Highlanders 134 (279). Community rugby is. of course, where its at, but good luck to our four Super Rugby teams in the quarter-finals! 

Doctors have told a Wellington rugby player his playing days are over. Johnsonville Hawks' player, Irisa​ Ta'ala​, 33, clutched his chest in agony as he suffered a heart attack early in the second half of Saturday's 22-15 defeat to Paremata-Plimmerton. Ta'ala, who had previously represented Samoa at age group level - has been forced to contemplate life without rugby in it: "I'm not really happy [about it], but I have to listen to the specialist," he said. "He came to see me [yesterday] and said no more rugby."The club said Ta'ala was the family's main breadwinner, and asked anyone wishing to help to deposit a koha to the bank account number 01 0519 0070195 00, and reference "Reza". Read more here

kick-off times will be brought forward this coming Saturday (23 July) due to the Hurricanes v Sharks Super Rugby Quarter Final. All grades will continue to play next Saturday, however, kick-off times will be 12:30pm and 2:15pm.

The OBU Green Colts side beat Marist St Pat's Blue 33-7 (provisional score, TBC) at Te Whaea on Friday night to maintain their steely grip on the top of the John E Kelly Colts competition and also all but qualify for the semi-finals with two rounds to spare. OBU are guaranteed to end the weekend as leaders, but Poneke can take second if they beat Wellington this afternoon with a bonus point. Other contenders Tawa have the weekend off after being defaulted to by HOBM Green. 

The Hurricanes U18s beat the Crusaders U18s 64-20 in their one-off representative match in Christchurch today.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes beat the Crusaders 35-10 in the senior clash this evening. Hurricanes 35 (Jason Woodward, TJ Perenara, Willis Halaholo, Cullum Gibbins, Beauden Barrett; Barrett 4 con)Crusaders 10 (Ryan Crotty try; Richie Mo'unga con, pen) . HT: 14-10. 

UPDATE: Former Warriors league player Sam Lousi has quit the Waratahs Super Rugby franchise and signed with the Hurricanes. Lousi, who was brought to Sydney by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, but his rugby development has been hampered by injuries. Lousi is also playing for the Wellington Lions in the NPC before linking up with the Canes. He will be the second ex-Warriors in the Hurricanes ranks after centre Ngami Laumape joined Chris Boyd's team this season. Read more here

The Hurricanes Youth Council Representative Referee Squad has been chosen 2016 representative rugby season: Referee are: Stu Catley (Hawkes Bay), Jamie Fairmaid (Wellington), Alistair Payne (Wairarapa-Bush), Daniel Mangin (Wellington), Sam Couper (Manawatu), Matthew McEwen (Manawatu) For more read here

The Hurricanes Youth Council's U18 side has been named. 23 of the Hurricanes region’s top under 18 years of age rugby players, have been selected to form the squad to play a Crusaders Region Under 18 Team at Christchurch’s Rugby Park this Saturday. Read more here 

Avalon Wolves club coach Jason Aitken was stood down for "several weeks" after an incident at a schools match on July 2. Aitken was coaching the St Bernard's College under-55 kg side, but his ban curtails any involvement with Avalon as well. Read more here

Ross Kennedy may have retired from his professional rugby career, but his passion for the game remains.Kennedy's journey back to Christchurch Metro has been a special homecoming, allowing him to play under his father Adrian Kennedy for Marist-Albion. Being coached by his father is something Kennedy is accustomed to. Kennedy, 33, was a Junior All Black in 2005 and played 28 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and one for the Crusaders. Read more here

A Junior Wellington Lions 35-player training squad has been released ahead of the third annual national tournament in Taupo. They have two warm-up games, before central qualifying tournament games against the Hurricanes, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu U19s to determine seedings for Taupo. Last year they won this before being crushed by Taranaki in their opener. Dates for their matches are:

• August 13: v Wellington Maori, Petone Recreation Ground
• August 20: v Wellington Samoans, Petone Recreation Ground
• August 27: v Hurricanes U19s, Palmerston North
• September 3: v Hawke's Bay U19s, Petone Recreation Ground
• September 10 v Manawatu U19s, Venue TBC
• September 14-21: Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament, Owen Delany Park, Taupo

Oriental-Rongotai coach Mason Lawrence has been banned for six weeks for referee abuse. Read more about the incident here 

New photos galleries are being added to the website. Visit Photos above to view these and existiing ones.  

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has praised his side's character and composure after they qualified for the Investec Super Rugby playoffs with a come from behind 28-17 win over the Waratahs in Sydney. The win means the Hurricanes have secured one of the Australasian Conference's three wildcard spots in the playoffs with a week of the regular season to spare. Boyd's side will now reset their focus on beating the Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday and the possibility of winning the NZ Conference and gaining a home quarterfinal at Westpac Stadium. Scorers:  Hurricanes 28 (Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane, Julian Savea tries, Barrett 3 pen, 2 con) Waratahs 17 (Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau tries, Bernard Foley 2 con, pen). HT: 11-10.  Read more here

UPDATE: There's a couple of matches being played tonight under lights. U85kg Division 1 teams Johnsonville and Horowhenua Kapiti meet at Alex Moore Park at 7.35pm and in the Hutt First Grade sides Avalon and HOBM clash at Fraser Park Artificial at 7.35pm. 

Congratulations to Wainuiomata prop Norm Fa'aliga for reaching the milestone of 150 Premier matches tomorrow. Fa'aliga starts at loosehead prop for the green and blacks in their home match against Oriental-Rongotai at Wlliam Jones Park. He will mark anther 150 game player, Whetu Henry. He has been part of the Wainuiomata club over the past decade as they have risen from Senior 1 [Premier Reserve] status, to the Hardham Cup and on to be Jubilee Cup contenders in recent seasons. 

The Positive Sidelines Initiative involving Wellington Rugby will see a series of campaigns launched under the slogan Support Our Teams But Keep It Clean. This weekend all Wellington junior club teams will be issued with a supporter’s scorecard whereby an appointed sideline ambassador will rank the conduct of the opposing team’s spectators out of 10.Categories include attitude toward the referee, loud and positive cheering and overall atmosphere with prizes at the end of the season for teams with the highest overall score.

Several new photo galleries have been added from the weekend of rugby just played. View Photos above. 

Wellington College and Christ's College will meet in the final of the annual Quadrangular tournament on Wednesday after wins in the opening matches of the tournament today. Wellingtn College held out Wanganui Collegiate 18-8, while Christ's College defeated Nelson College 41-13. 

Vaea Fifita (Wellington Axemen) scored two tries for the Hurricanes last night as they beat the Blues. Scores: Hurricanes 37 (Vaea Fifita 2, Reggie Goodes, Dane Coles tries; Beauden Barrett 4 con, 3 pen) Blues 27 (Jerome Kaino 2, Kara Pryor tries; Piers Francis 3 con, 2 pen). HT: 17-24.

The final round of regular season women's matches was played last night in fine, cold conditions. Wainuiomata beat Northern United 19-10 to qualify top and they will host Norths again next week in one semi-finals. Ories beat Avalon 94-3 and will host OBU in the other. Hutt Old Boys Marist will play Johnsonville-Tawa in one Division 2 semi-final while Marist St Pat's will play Poneke in the other. Visit Draws & Results above for more [Victoria Tavern/Senior Women's, third tab down in competition menu]. 

The Otago Daily Times reports today: "Former New Zealand secondary school's midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen has been sidelined with a hip injury this season. He received medical clearance and got some game time for a University Colts side last weekend." 

The Wellington Lions foundations just got stronger with Stonewood Homes signing on as the NPC team’s front of jersey sponsor for the next three years. Wellington Rugby’s partnership with Stonewood Homes brings together two organisations with the common goal of becoming the best in their respective  fields. 

Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) has signed a two-year contract with Toshiba, but will be back in Hurricanes colours in 2017. Jane will head to Japan at the conclusion of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season where he will join former All Blacks Richard Kahui and Liam Messam as well as Chiefs No 8 Michael Leitch at the Brave Lupus. The move means the 33-year-old will miss the Wellington Lions 2016 and 2017 NPC campaigns. He has played 65 first-class matches for Wellington. 

Hutt Valley High School have won the Wellington region Coed Cup final, beating Wainuiomata High School 24-13 in the final at the Hutt Rec this evening. Elsewhere at Jerry Collins Stadium, Bishop Viard College defeated Tawa College 21-20 to retain the Beard Trophy for the summer.  

The Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley High School 1^st XV’s meet at the Hutt Rec at 6.00pm in the Coed Cup final with the winner also progressing to the Hurricanes regional qualifiers for the National Coed Top 4. Elsewhere Tawa College mounts the last challenge for the Beard Trophy when they take on holders Bishop Viard at the JCS at 5.30pm.

Wainuiomata sent a warning to their rugby rivals with a 51-20 demolition of the Upper Hutt Rams on Saturday. The win was built around their enormous forward pack, which was just too big and strong for the under-strength Rams. It quickly became clear that the Wainuiomata scrum would be the telling factor. Read more here

Making an appearance at Evans Bay Park yesterday, OBU's new masct Billy Goat. Unfortunately Billy couldn't help his side to victory like Smeagle the Eagle did in the 2014 Jubilee Cup for HOBM. 

Visit photos above for some new photos being added throughout the day and evening from the weekend's action. Still to come, photos from Maidstone and Lyndhurst Parks, the Hut Rec, Scots College and more. 

Today marks 50 years that Wellington famously defeated the British and Irish Lions 20-6. The previously year they had defeated the Springboks 23-6. 

Westpac Stadium to host Heartland curtain raiser Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wairarapa Bush are set to play a unique curtain raiser before the Wellington Lions Mitre 10 Cup match against North Harbour on Wellington’s two closest provincial neighbours will meet during the first official Mitre 10 Heartland Championship match at Westpac Stadium.  Follow the upcoming NZ provincial season on Club Rugby, covering the game from the ground up.  

News and profile article with St Kentigern College halfback Carlos Price, currently playing in the Auckland 1A competition and heading to Wellington in 2017 to join the WRFU Academy. Read more here

The Hurricanes meet in the Rebels on Thursday in Melbourne. The squad is: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Jason Woodward, Otere Black, Te Toirora Tahuriorangi, Victor Vito, Hugh Renton, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Reggie Goodes.Reserves: James O’Reilly, Loni Uhila, Chris Eves, Hisa Sasagi, Ben May, Geoff Cridge, James Blackwell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Shaun Treeby, Willis Halaholo, Wes Goosen.  Kick off: 8pm (NZT). Unavailable to travel: Vaea Fifita, Blade Thomson, Callum Gibbins, Ngani Laumape, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Wainuiomata rugby coach Justin Wilson is confident he has the team to win the Jubilee Cup. That is a big call for a side that on Saturday lost 42-37 to Old Boys University but Wilson believes he has the players to win the silverware. OBU have played well all season and Wilson felt it was a game that could have gone either way."She was a great game of football with 80 odd points in the game. We just came out on the wrong side of the ledger." With a playing roster that includes two New Zealand Under 20s –TJ Va'a and Peter Umaga-Jensen - and a number who have played for the Lions, Wainuiomata has plenty of depth. Fore more read here

Dave Lintott shot the action at the Test in Wellington last night, won 36-22 by the All Blacks. Here Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) outgasses the Welsh defence to score a hugely popular try. 

New Zealand Rugby has partnered with Statistics NZ to try to determine whether the lasting impacts of concussions while playing rugby increase the risk of dementia. The project is in its early stages but NZ Rugby hopes the findings will provide "robust answers to that critical question". NZ Rugby will use official data to compare the rates of dementia among players who played high-level rugby in New Zealand between 1950 and 1970 and those who did not. Read more here

Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) has won the Wellington Sportsman of the Year award for this year. The 34-year-old was instrumental in New Zealand's run to the Rugby World Cup title in 2015, scoring a try in the 34-17 win over Australia in the tournament final. Nonu was also key for the Hurricanes as they made last year's Super Rugby final. Read more here

The Hardham Cup and Jubilee Cup finals will both be at Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park this year. The finals will be played on Saturday 6 August. The Hardham Cup will be a 12.15pm and the Jubilee Cup final at 3.15pm. 

Today's mid-week First XV rugby comes from St Pat's Silverstream, where the home side hosts Christchurch's St Bede's College. St Bede's have won five from eight to lie in 5th place on the UC Championship ladder, while Silverstream are coming off narrow losses to Scots College and Wellington College in their last two games. Kick-off is at 11.15am. Match report and digital highlights all to come from this game. 

Congratulations to Northern United forward Aidan Cains for playing his 100th Premier game foe the club on Saturday against Paremata-Plimmerton. Cains celebrated with a 41-0 win. Cains was a Jubilee Cup winner in his first season with Norths in 2010 and he also played for Petone in 2012. 

Today's rugby comes from Wellington College, where the home First XV hosts Christchurch Boys' High School at 12 noon. Both sides will be fresh, Leading UC Championship contender CBHS having their bye in the weekend and Wellington College playing their last fixture last Wednesday against St Pat's Silverstream. 

Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) is now officially a former All Black. The Hurricanes wing is contracted for the rest of this Super Rugby season and 2017, but has been considering a deal to play in Japan. Given the 33-year-old former All Black's continued good form, clubs all over the world would be interested in his services. But Jane told Radio Sport on Sunday that Japan suited his particular family circumstances, now that his international rugby career is over. Read more here

75 years ago, the Premier Teams of Poneke and Oriental merged to play for the Jubilee Cup for the duration of World War 2. In 1943 and 1944, the Poneke-Oriental side won the Jubilee Cup in back-to-back seasons. The win in 1943 gave Poneke the Senior Championship in their Diamond Jubilee (60th) year, Following the War, the Clubs resumed their separate identities at a Premier level. The two clubs meet today at Kilbirnie Park in the opening round of the 2016 Jubilee Cup.

The Oriental-Rongotai Colts beat first round winners Old Boys University Green 21-20 under lights on Friday. Ories were down 14-20 but scored a converted try in the corner to win. OBU led 15-14 at halftime. Ories scored tries through Lauina Fa'atau (2) and Malachai Unasa, while Halcyon Price slotted three conversions. MSP's Colts beat defending champions HOBM 31-19 in the other Friday night Dvision 1 fixture. 

Elsewhere, the Poneke Cavs beat the Upper Hutt Rams 26-5 in their week two U85kg Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield encounter. 

A group of Hurricanes will be playing club rugby for their teams tomorrow, in round one of the championship season. See Draws & Results above for the Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup teamsheets. 

Wellington Lions assistant coach Richard Watt (Poneke) is looking forward to his debut international caching stint with Samoa in the upcoming June window, orking with new Head Coach Alama Ieremia (Wests Roosters). Samoa begin their 2016 season against Georgia in Apia on Saturday before travelling to Fiji next weekend for their first Pacific Nations Cup test against Fiji. Read more here

The draws for the second round Jubilee and Hardham Cups are out.  View Draws & Results across the top of this page to view the Jubilee Cup draw. The Hardham Cup and Ed Chaney/HD Morgan Memorial Cup draws and the remainder of the second round draws will be inputted over the coming few days.  Or visit Wellington Rugby to view them here  

New photo galleries are being uploaded frequently to the Photos section above. 

Leni Apisai will lead the New Zealand U20s out to battle in their World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Georgia on Wednesday morning NZT (6.40am). View the team and some commentary around it here 

Congratulations to the OBU Goats for winning the 2016 Swindale Shield. 

Marist St Pat's centre Ryan Setefano plays his 100th Premier match this Saturday when he takes the field at home at Evans Bay Park against Poneke in the 'Battle of Kilbirnie' and Horan-Millar Trphy and Bill Brien Challenge Cup match.

Oriental-Rongtai lock Mark Reddish will be joining English club Harlequins at the conclusion of this year's Mitre 10 Cup. Reddish is currently invovled with the Hghlanders Super Rugby set-up. Read more here

A Wellington XV won a tri-series of matches on Tuesday night in Levin against Wairarapa Bush and Horowhenua Kapiti (40 minute halves). Wellington defeated Wairarapa Bush 22-0 (possibly for the Jimmy Cotter Memorial Shield) and they beat Horowhenua Kapiti 48-0 (6 points for a try awarded in this game).

First XV fans have three consecutive Wednesdays of rugby to look forward to in June, starting today between Wellington College and St Pat's Town at Wellington College. Kick-off is either 1.00pm or 1.30pm (TBC) so best get there for the early time in case. 

The Old Boys University First Grade team claimed the first round Thompson Memorial Trophy title with a 46-5 win over mid-table Tawa. The OBU team are unbeaten this year in eight contests and have scored 262 points and conceded 93. The second round Ed Chaney Cup awaits. 

If you've come here to view second round draws Please note that these will be inputted progressively in the Draws & Results section above over the coming few days (use the Change Competition menu on the left hand side to select competition. In the meantime, please vsit the WRFU website for these draws 

Wellington players selected in the All Blacks today to play Wales are: Dane Coles (Poneke), Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) and Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai). Also, TJ Perenara (Northland United) is a replacement halfback if needed. Additionally, former Wellington club players Lima Sopoaga (Old Boys University) and Charles Ngatai (Poneke) have been selected.

The 2016 Fleurs Trophy was shared between Oriental-Rongotai and Northern United. Ories won their final round match 26-12 but failed to score a bonus point try and both teams finished the first round on 39 points. 

OBU Green beat Marist St Pat's 16-3 in the decider of the first round Paris Memorial Trophy Division 1 competition, winning this title for the fourth consecutive year. 

Congratulations to Upper Hutt Rams lock Ray Sio for playing his 100th Premier game on Friday night. Sio celebrated the milestone with a 21-15 win over Poneke at Westpac Stadium. 

The Fleurs trophy has been synonymous with the Womens game in Wellington since its introduction in 1993. The trophy originated after it was donated by the Fleurs Bar & Nightclub in Porirua to recognise the development of the Women game. To embrace the stature, and signify its importance the WRFU now place on this grade a new, large silver cup,will be revealed and presented tomorrow at the Polo Ground at the Northern Unitedd - Ories Women's first round decider.

The Upper Hutt Rams beat Poneke 21-15 tonight at Westpac Stadium to keep their Jubilee Cup hopes alive for another round. The win also officially knocks out Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist, while makes the games tomorrow interesting. Scores: Upper Hutt Rams: 21 (Max Pearson, Dan Aunese tries; Joyner Key 3pen, 1 con) Poneke: 15 ( Takuma Takashma, Nick Robinson; Pakai Turia 1 con, 1 pen)  HT: 10-7 Poneke. 

There are two First XV Co-ed Cup matches this afternoon. At 3.45pm Heretaunga College hosts Hutt Valley High School and at 5.30pm new Premier 1 school Bishop Viard College meets Aotea College in Beard Cup fixture at the Jerry Collins Stadium. 

The Women's NPC has been renamed the Farah Palmer Cup in recognition of one of the most iconic figures in women’s rugby. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) today announced that with the support of competition sponsor Mitre 10, the Farah Palmer Cup will kick off under its new name on 6 August. A total of nine provinces – Auckland, North Harbour, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago - will vie for a claim on the inaugural Farah Palmer Cup title. Click here to view the full 2016 draw.

UPDATE: NPBHS NPBHS won this fixture 18-15. St Pat's Silverstream host New Plymouth Boys' High School on Wednesday in a friendly clash. Kick off to be confirmed. Both sides will see this as an important stepping stone to their competitons coming up, with Silverstream playing Bishop Viard College in their Wellington season opener on Saturday and NPBHS host Hamilton BHS at the Gully in their first Super 8 Fixture in a fortnight. 

Visit Photos above to peruse several new photo galleries from the recent weekend's club rugby in Wellington. 

The enduring memory most people have of Athletic Park is the Millard Stand, an uncovered, steepling, gravity-defying edifice that loomed over the suburbs of Berhampore and Newtown Those with longer memories, like commentator and author Keith Quinn, who grew up in the shadow of Athletic Park, say the truly iconic part of the stadium was the bleacher section the Millard Stand replaced when it was erected in 1961. Read more here

The Upper Hutt Rams Colts made it three in a row on Wednesday night, beating previously unbeaten OBU Green 20-10. Ories beat Petone 21-20 in the other fixture. OBU's loss to the Rams, without a bonus point, sees the Marist St Pat's Colts take a one-point lead after seven completed rounds of the Division 1 Paris Memorial Trophy. Leading points: MSP (29), OBU (28), Ories (27), Tawa (26),  Poneke (21) and the Upper Hutt Rams (15). 

There are two Colts Division 1 Paris Memorial Shield fixtures tonight under lights. These games are completing the played in advance ninth round set of matches that saw three encounters last Wednesday night. Fixtures tonight are OBU Green v Upper Hutt Rams at Fraser Park and Petone v Ories at Te Whaea. 

The Rugby News magazine has a current feature on the Marist St Pat's club in Wellington. Read more here 

Oriental-Rongotai hooker Hunter Prescott is heading to Manawatu this week to play club rugby up there for the rest of the season and try and crack the Turbos squad for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup. Prescott joins Ambrose Curtis in Palmerston North. 

Kat Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) is Wellington's representative in the New Zealand Women's Sevens team heading t France at the end of this month to compete in the final tournament of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series. After finishing runners up in the last two tournaments in Atlanta and Langford, New Zealand is lying second on the points table on 64 points behind leaders Australia (76). England is third on 60 points. The team has been drawn in Pool B and faces Russia in the tournament’s opening match, followed by Japan and Canada

Upper Hutt Rams right wing Salesi Rayasi scored a hat-trick on Premier debut in his side's 36-29 win over Wainuiomata. Has this been done before, and if so by whom? 

A Wellington XV will step out for the first time in 2016 with a Tri-Series of matches with Horowhenua Kapiti and Wairarapa Bush on Tuesday 31 May in Levin. Each team will play two 40 minute games over the night. In the first 40 minute game, Wellington and Wairarapa Bush (unknown if the Jimmy Cotter Shield will be on the line) square off before Horowhenua Kapiti take on Wairarapa Bush in the second game. To cap off the night, Horowhenua Kapiti take on Wellington. 

Round two Results at a glance: Rongotai WBD over HVHS; Paraparaumu 26-10 Aotea; Wairarapa 26- 0 Porirua;  Kapiti 38-7 Onslow; HIBS 48-10 Upper Hutt; St Bernard's 15 - 12 Taita; Wainuiomata 26 -20 Tawa (Coed Cup Game); Bishop Viard WBD over Newlands; Scots 2XV 25-17 Heretaunga; Naenae 26-12 Mana.

UPDATE: Ories bounce back. Ories have bounced back from their loss last week to Wainuiomata by slaying the Upper Hutt Rams 155-0 tonight in round seven of the Fleurs Trophy. Leaders and defending champions Northern United beat Wainuiomata 10-5 in a tight tussle. Visit Draws & Results above for more.  A bumper weekend of club rugby starts tonight with the seventh round of the Women's Fleurs Trophy. There are five matches tonight - visit Draws & Results across the top of this page for more. 

Update: Bishop Viard won 41-12 in the school game, MSP beat Wellington 41-3 in of the Colts games. The results of the other two Colts games are TBC. There’s four games on tonight to help get your rugby fix. Bishop Viard will defend the Beard Trophy against Porirua at the Jerry Collins Stadium at 5.30pm, which also doubles as a Co-ed Cup match. There are also three Division 1 Colts matches, all at 7.45pm; Norths vs Tawa at Te Whaea, HOBM vs Poneke at Fraser Park, and MSP against Wellington at Evans Bay Park. 

Update: Burne tells his story here ,not good he had to find out through news media and not NZRU. Former Johnsonville and Wellington Maori lock Andrew Burne has been banned from all rugby for six years for using and trafficking anabolic steroids while he was involved in rugby.The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Judicial Committee imposed the lengthy ban on Andrew Leicester Burne, now residing in the Hawke’s Bay, after he admitted three violations of the Sports Anti-Doping Rules (SADR) for using, possessing and trafficking anabolic steroids. Burne started in six Hardham Cup fixtures in 2013 and 2014.

Several Wellington players are in the NZ U20 squad for the upcoming Junior World Cup, these players being: Leni Apisai (captain, Northern United), Asafo Aumua (Avalon Wolves), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Alex Fidow and Malo Tuitama (Oriental-Rongotai) and TJ Va'a (Wainuiomata). Plus Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Hawke's Bay, Old Boys University). 

Several current or former Wellington club rugby players have been named in Alama Ieremia’s Samoan Test squad for upcoming June internationals against Georgia, Fiji and Tonga. New caps include Isaia Petelo (Marist St Pat’s) and Greg Foe (Poneke), as well as Danny Tusitala (formerly OBU, now back at Ponsonby). Other players named are Motu Matu’u ,Jack Lam and Manu Leiataua (all Oriental-Rongotai), TJ Ioane (OBU), Faifili Levave (Northern United) and Rey Lee-Lo (MSP).

Please visit Photos above to peruse new photo galleries, which we are adding to all the time. Over 30 galleries from ths year's Swindale Shield to view so far. 

The Hurricanes missed out 15-32 to the Sharks in Durban overnight in the second of two South African matches. Scores: Sharks 32 (JP Pietersen 2, Michael Claassens, Daniel du Preez tries; Garth April pen, 2 con, Patrick Lambie pen, con) Hurricanes 15 (Reggie Goodes, James Marshall tries; Beauden Barrett pen, Jason Woodward con). HT: 8-8. The Hurricanes host the Reds in Wellington this coming Saturday. 

The 23-player squad for Saturday's second Oceania Series match between the New Zealand U20s and Australia includes six players who have been invovled in Wellington club this year. These are: Leni Apisai (Northern United), Malo Tuitama and Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai), Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Marino Mikaele Tu’u (Old Boys University) and Lui Luamanu (Hutt Old Boys Marist). 

The Marist St Pat's second XV sits alone at the top of the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield standings with an unbeaten record after eight matches, following their 27-13 victory over Oriental-Rongotai under lights on Wednesday night and previously unbeaten Poneke's 15-29 loss to Tawa. Should their first XVs make the 'top 8' at the end of the Swindale Shield, the top two finishing sides from this competition join the bottom six in the Premier one to form the teams in the Hardham Cup in the second round. View the results updated standings at the Draws & Results link above.

Can't wait for Saturday? Round 8 of the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield is tonight. Matches are (all 7.30pm kick-offs):

• Avalon v Wainuiomata (Hutt Rec)
• Hutt Old Boys Marist v Paremata-Plimmerton (Maidstone Park)
• Johnsonville v Upper Hutt Rams (Bernie Wood Artificial)
• Marist St Pat's v Ories (Wellington College)
• Northern United v Old Boys University (Fraser Park)
• Petone v Wellington (Te Whaea)
• Poneke v Tawa (Jerry Collins Stadium)

Several Wellington players were invovled in the New Zealand U20s 30-10 win over Australia on the Gold Coast tonight. Leni Apisai (Northern United) captained the side, with Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata) at fullback and Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Alex Fidow (Ories) and Lui Luamanu (HOBM) adding spark off the bench. Read more here

The New Zealand side to play the opening match of the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship against Australia  on Tuesday, has been named. View the team here 

The Hurricanes accounted for the Lions in Johannessburg 50-17 on Sunday Morning (NZT).The Canes scored seven tries to three and were up 21-0 after only 16 minutes as the Lions paid for not being able to protect their ball against a side that dominated them at the breakdown and simply were better in all facets of the game. Julian Savea and Cory Jane each scored two tries. Read more here

With both the Black Ferns and the New Zealand Women’s Sevens teams being selected this year following the Women’s Provincial Cup competition in October, this year’s Women’s Sevens Series is being played on the weekends of  6 to 8 May and 27 to 29 May.The series includes two teams from the National Women’s Development Programme, and the Samoan and Cook Island National Women’s Sevens teams as they prepare for their final Rio qualifier in June. View the players selected here 
 

Vaea Fifita (Wellington Axemen) will earn his first start at lock for the Hurricanes when they take on the Lions of South Africa in Johanessburg this Sunday morning, kick-off Sunday 3.05am (NZT). For more read here 

St. Kentigern College has won the 2016 Presbyterian Schools' Quadrangular tournament with a commanding 57-3 victory over Scots College. Read more here

Visit Photos above to view one of several new photo galleries added from this past weekend's rugby around the Wellington region. 

Oriental-Rongotai loose forward Ardie Savea will take no further part in the New Zealand Sevens team's campaign and won't be in the team for the Rio Olympics.Savea played for the sevens team in Wellington and Sydney and had been down to play for them in Paris and London, with an eye to making the team for the 2016 Olympic Games, but has pulled out to focus on 15s.Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said Savea was very disappointed  would not be returning to the team."There's little doubt Ardie could've been a key player for us in Rio, but we respect his decision. Read more here

Great to see Shaun Treeby back playing for Tawa yesterday. Treeby broke his ankle whilst playing for the Wellington Lions last September and has lately been working hard at Les Mills Lambton Quay getting himself back to full fitness. 

Danny Tusitala's year in Wellington club rugby in 2015 is paying dividends for him. He's back in Auckland and yesterday he scored a hat-trick for his old club Ponsonby in their 33-0 win over Te Papapa Onehunga. Former Poneke player Presley Tufaga is also playing for the Ponies, at No. 8. 

The Hutt News profiles Alexis Time, after he played his 150th game last weekend for Hutt Old Boys against Petone. Read more here

In a First XV fixture this afternoon, Wellington champions St Pat’s Town defeated Christchurch rivals St Bede’s 28-15 to win the Holley Shield for the first time in 75 years. SPC led this contest 8-6 at halftime before sailing home in the second spell. Tries were scored by Keelan Whitman, Zac Aldridge, Nuri Kaya and Adam McLean.

Congratulations to Northern United women's player Dawn Patelesio who will play her 300th club game tomorrow when Norths host the Upper Hutt Rams at Porirua Park at 11.30am. 

The All Blacks have won the Laureus Sports Awards for the first time, while star five-eighth Dan Carter won the Comeback of the Year award. Read more here 

Former Wellington Rugby Referees Association referee, referee coach and founder of Advantage4Me Rob Neru has passed away. Neru was an active referee in Wellington for several years up to 2014. Read more here 

In two pre-season First XV fixtures of note tomorrow, Rongotai College hosts 2015 Quadrangular champions Nelson College at 10.30am and Wellington College meets Tu Toa from Manawatu at 2.30pm at home. Update: In one of these matches, Nelson College crossed very late to pip Rongotai 24-17. 

Marist St Pat's and Poneke are the two unbeaten teams after four rounds of the Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield (HLS), after the first round under lights last night. MSP beat Wellington 34-17 and Poneke defeated Johnsonville 43-11. Another key result was defending HLS champions Tawa drawing 17-17 with the Upper Hutt Rams.  Draws and Results above. 

Can't get enough? Head out tonight to watch a full round of Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield matches. For more details visit Draws & Results above. Matches at a glance tonight are (all kick-off times 7.30pm):

• Wellington v Marist St Pat's (Te Whaea)
• Wainuiomata v Hutt Old Boys Marist (Maidstone Artificial)
• Upper Hutt Rams v Tawa (Fraser Park)
• Poneke v Johnsonville (Wakefield Park)
• Petone v Old Boys University (Evans Bay Artificial)
• Paremata-Plimmerton v Avalon (Bernie Wood Artificial)
• Oriental-Rongotai v Northern United (Alex Moore Park)

Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) last night became the eighth player to reach 100 games for the Hurricanes, celebrating in a 40-22 win over the Jaguares. 

Hutt Old Boys Marist midfielder Alexis Time is set to play his 150th match for the Eagles in this Sunday's McBain Shield fixture against Petone. Time went to Hutt Valley High School and he made his debut in 2004 against OBU, and spent 2006-08 playing overseas. He also suffered a serious neck injury in 2014, only to come back last year. Off the field Alexis loves to sing and drink from the red wine goblet, whilst he's married to Rachelle and they have with three children, Oakley, Adelia and Emmerson.

The Dominion Post covered the third round of Swindale Shield matches in Wellington on Wednesday night. Read their reports here

Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) will take his place among an exclusive group of Hurricanes when he runs out for his 100^th Investec Super Rugby match against the Jaguares at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.

The 33-year old will start on the right wing making him just the eighth player to earn a century of caps for the Hurricanes after Tana Umaga, Rodney So’oialo, Neemia Tialata, Ma’a Nonu, Andrew Hore, Conrad Smith and Jeremy Thrush.

Can't make it to a game tonight? Tune into Te Upoko (1161 AM) and listen to the spirited tones of Adam Julian commentating the Northern United versus Oriental-Rongotai clash live from Alex Moore Park from 7.30pm.

It's debatable if any of these trial laws are needed or particulalry wanted in New Zealand rugby. At least the insidious changes to the value of points scoring is only being implemented in the Heartland Championship this year and not the full NPC competition. Click here for more

Visit Photos above to view some new photo galleries from Saturday's Swindale Shield (four galleries) and Harper Lock Shield (one). 

The Dominion Post carries its match reports from the second round of the Swindale Shield. Click here to read more 

Wellington Premier referee Ben O'Keefe is set to make his Test debut on the pea on 11 June in Apia between Samoa and Georgia. Read more here 

Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) is Wellington's representative in the New Women's Sevens squad named for their next two tournaments. The squad of 14 will travel to the next two tournaments of the Women’s Sevens Series – Atlanta (8-9 April) in USA and Langford in Canada (16-17 April) has been named.  The playing 12 for Atlanta will be confirmed early next week. 

Petone RFC is looking for a new Club Coaching Coordinator (CCO). The outlook for this exciting opportunity at Petone Rugby Football Club as a CCO is to nurture the Club’s strong values and processes, while having the ability to create a fresh and innovative perspective on the day-to-day and future running of Petone Rugby. With their former CCO progressing with the WRFU, this has created an expectation from the Club that a high standard of candidate will apply. As CCO, your purpose will be to facilitate the recruitment, retention and development of coaching capabilities, and the upskilling of players within the game. With a view to maximise the level of participation within the community, including the essential links between the Club and local schools. Email your CV and Cover Letter to myah.preston@pinnacle-corp.co.nz If you would like to know any further details for this position, please do not hesitate to email Petone on the above address.

The famous McBain Shield clash between Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist has offocially been moved from Saturday 9 April to Sunday 10 April at 2.45pm. There is now eight days of Premier rugby in 'Awesome April' to look forward to. 

Reading this article here , it appears that a couple of the law changes mooted to kick in in this year's Mitre 10 sponsorsed Men's and Women's NPC and Heartland Championship competitions will not be implemented.  "New Zealand Rugby announced in December they would introduce some trial laws to the country's premier provincial competition to help with World Rugby's attempt to make the sport a better spectacle. "Included in the trial laws was a change to the points scoring system where tries would be increased to six points and penalties reduced to two points. A new off-side line was also set to be introduced where players would have to be one metre back from the hindmost foot. It is understood the 14 top flight provincial coaches met recently and it has been decided to scrap the points scoring change and the rule where defensive players have to be back one metre from the ruck."

The first of the new season's photo galleries have been loaded. Please regularly visit Photos across the top of this page to view these. Photo galleries are always welcome. Please contact editor@clubrugby.co.nz for more.

The Dominion Post is once more covering every Premier match this season. Read all seven match reports from the opening round of the season on Good Friday here 

Petone prop Mike Kainga is joining Taranaki this year, where he will play for Coastal. Kainga has been in the Chiefs region playing for Bay of Plenty and most recently rehabbing from a shoulder injury. Read more here 

A 'Gains and Losses' Wellington club rugby guide for 2016 can be viewed here

For Friday's season opener and throughout the season, fans will have the opportunity to listen to two radio commentaries, plus around the grounds updates. As always, the Saturday Rugby Club, through Radio Sport (1503AM and 93.7FM) will carry a live commentary of the feature game plus updates and interviews. Te Upoko E Ika (1161AM) and online at www.tunein.com - (search Te Upoko) will also carry a featured commentary match.
Round One commentaries:

• Radio Sport - to be confirmed
• Te Upoko E Ika - Northern United v Petone

Leni Apisai (Northern United) is set to captain the New Zealand U20s this year, social meet chit-chat has suggested. To be confirmed. 

A a stuttering opening 50 minutes, the floodgates finally opened and the Hurricanes raced to a 41-6 win over the Force on Friday night in Palmerston North. Read more here 

Porirua Park will officially be renamed Jerry Collins Stadium and a plaque in Jerry Collins' name will be unveiled onsite at Porirua Park on Friday 25 March at 10.00am. Former All Black Collins, who captained Northern United aged 18, died in a car crash in France last year. 

Motu Matu'u (Oriental-Rongotai) has put pen to paper on a deal at Kingsholm ahead of the 2016-17 season, adding plenty of international and Super Rugby experience to Gloucester's front row resources. A former team-mate of current Gloucester favourite Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Motu'u appeared in all four pool stage RWC games last year, starting the fixture against South Africa and scoring a try against Scotland

Former Wellington College First XV man among boys Nelson Asofa-Solomona could be returning to rugby union via the Hurricanes. Asofa-Solomona joined the Melbourne Storm after leaving school in 2013. The report was on Brisbane's Courier Mail, but that is paywalled, so read the second hand report of this potentially great piece of news for local rugby fans here 

Season captain Dane Coles (Poneke FC) will make his first appearance for the Hurricanes when they host the Western Force in the battle of the weather systems in Palmerston North this coming Friday. Coles has been sidelined thus far with hamstring and calf complaints. Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made four changes to the side that started last week’s 23-19 win over the Blues at Eden Park with wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, blindside Brad Shields, prop Reggie Goodes, and hooker Leni Apisai all ruled out due to injury. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Varsity) has unfortunately been ruled out for the Super Rugby season after scans revealed he will need surgery on the shoulder he dislocated at Eden Park. He is replaced on the right wing by Cory Jane.

The Hurricanes held on to beat the Blues 23-19 last night in a thriller on Friday night at Eden Park, repelling wave after wave of Blues attack on their line. Halfback TJ Perenara (2) and Victor Vito scored tries. Thiswas the their first win of the season and they host the Force in Palmerston North next Friday. Read more here 

A group of Wellington players are in camp this weekend in Palmerston as part of a 49-strong group trialling for the NZ U20s. The players are: Joe Apikotoa (HOBM), Alex Fidow (Ories), Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), Lui Luamanu (HOBM), TJ Va’a (Wainuiomata), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata), Pepe Patafilo (Tawa), Lester Maulolo (Petone). Missing: Leni Apisai (Norths) – Hurricanes duties and Malo Tuitama (Ories) - injured

You can't afford to take a game off, in the Hurricanes' tight five. Without being too disrespectful, there must be times when some of Super Rugby's strongest packs have a pretty easy time of it against a weaker one. That's not a luxury afforded the Hurricanes, though.They have tended to be one of those forward packs opponents target, making every match a challenge that has to be risen to. Despite being conscious of that, Reggie Goodes and company weren't quite up to it in their season-opener against the Brumbies in Canberra, before a far more competitive showing in Saturday's 17-16 loss to the Highlanders. Read more here

The Wellington Lions will play the Hawke's Bay Magpies in Napier in the opening round of the 2016 NPC compeition on Saturday 18 August. This is followed in week two by a trip to Dunedin to play Otago and then a mouth-watering season opener at home on 31 August against North Harbour. All the Lions' home matches are scheduled for Westpac Stadium this year. View the draw here 

The Hurricanes Development team plays their Chief counterparts on Wednesday in Wanganui. Current Wellington players in the team are: James O’Reilly (HOBM), Frae Wilson (Wainuiomata), Paddy Hughes (Wellington), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United) and Nemani Waaka (Johnsonville)

The 2016 season is underway. View the draws at Draws & Results,  across the top of this page. Women's First round Fleurs Trophy teams named on Friday, alongside the men's Swindale Shield teams. 

Six Wellington club players have been named in the Samoa A squad to play in the Pacific Challenge Tournament in Fiji. These players are: Greg Foe (Poneke, captain), Greg Lealofi (Wainuiomata), Valentine Meachen (Marist St Pat's), Isaih Petelo (Marist St Pat's), Danny Tusitala (Old Boys University) and Nu'u Lene (Oriental-Rongotai). 

Unforced mistakes cost the Hurricanes the chance for their first victory of the season in Duendin on Saturday night, missing out 16-17 to the Highlanders in a re-match of last year's final. It won't get any easier for the Hurricanes fans in week three when they meet a resurgent Blues in Auckland. Read more here 

Wellington’s Marist St Pat’s won the 85th Spillane Cup tournament, beating Lower Hutt’s Hutt Old Boys Marist 42-27 in Sunday’s final in Hamilton. NOBM finished third, beating Auckland Marist 18-17 in their playoff for third and fourth. NOBM held on to beat the 2015 champions, after missing out late in the game in Saturday’s match against MSP 34-41.

The 85th NZ Marist Spillane Cup final on Sunday will be between Wellington clubs Hutt Old Boys Marist and Marist St Pat's. 2010-14 champions HOBM defeated last year's winners Auckland Marist 36-26 in one match on day one, whilst MSP defeated Napier Old Boys Marist 41-34 in the other fixture. 

Get on board with the Flying Squadron Hurricanes supporters at six of their home games at Westpac Stadium. Plus several more benefits and prizes. All for less than $10 a game. R18 only. Student ID required to join. For more click here

Congratulations to Tawa flanker Telea Seumanutafa for making his international debut for the Samoa 7s team this coming weekend in Las Vegas.  Seumanutafa joins Wellington club players Belgium Tuatagaloa (Petone) and Tomasi Alosio (HOBM) in the squad 

Piri Weepu (Wainuiomata) has joined a side in the sixth tier of French rugby. One of the heroes of the All Blacks' 2011 Rugby World Cup win could play his first game for Saint Sulpice against against Moissac on Monday (NZ time), if he gets clearance as he looks regain some match fitness and sign with a bigger club. The 32-year-old was let go by Oyonnax last month, with the club giving no reason why his contract was terminated. It left the 71-test All Black without a club for the rest of the season and needing something to do. So he decided to play grassroots French rugby. Click here for more

St Mary's College, Wellington (girls) and Tauranga Boys' College (boys) won Saturday's Sir Gordon Tietjens 7s tournament at the Rugby Institute in Palmertson North on Saturday. Manukura won the boys U15 section. Thirty teams took part. For more read here 

The man who scored 58 tries in 85 Super Rugby tries and at times single handedly carried the Hurricanes brand, Christian Cullen, has spoken: "There is so much I'm looking forward to with this rugby season but I still can't work out why Super Rugby has expanded - again. I admit I'm old school and liked it when you played every team once and you knew where you stood at the end of a season. But this year's competition is a confusing, watered-down version of what we had before. For more read here

The Hurricanes were whipped by the Brumbies 10-52 in Canberra on Friday night in their 2016 Super Rugby season opener. A try to debutant second five-eighth Ngani Laumape after a counterattack by fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder was one of the few bright spots of the match. Hurricanes captain  TJ Perenara said: “We need to be better going forward. We need to come up with ways of playing against that sort of defence. The boys will take a lot of learnings from today and we will put our best foot forward next week [against the Highlanders]. Brumbies 52 (David Pocock, Tevita Kuridrani, Tomas Cubelli, Adam Fardy, Stephen Moore, Sam Carter, Josh Mann-Rea tries, Christian Leali’ifano 7 con, 1 pen) Hurricanes 10 (Ngani Laumape try, Beauden Barrett con, pen) HT: 24-3 Watch more here 

The man who scored the first points in professional rugby is about to embark on a personal crusade to prepare Samoa to enter Super Rugby. Former Wests Roosters midfielder Alama Ieremia is about to begin his first full year working as director of coaching for Samoa and coach of the country's national rugby side. "Would I like to see Samoa in Super Rugby? Absolutely. Would I like to see a Pacific Island team in there? Absolutely. Read more here

Listen to the commentary of Friday's Super Rugby pre-season fixture between the Hurricanes and the Crudaders by visting www.soundcloud.com and typing in hurricanescrusaders to the search bar.

Regular Club Rugby contributor Scott MacLean has put the spotlight on who to watch in the NZ teams in this year's Super Rugby competition. read his Forwards analyis. Backs article to come. 

The Hurricanes sacked the Crusaders 74-7 in Blenheim on Friday afternoon in their third and final Super Rugby trial fixture before the competition proper starts next Friday against the Brumbies in Canberra. Scores: Hurricanes 74 (Cory Jane 2, Victor Vito 2,  TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea,  Beauden Barrett,  Ngani Laumape, Bus Savea, Willis Halaholo, Blade Thompson, Jason Woodward tries; Barrett 4 con, Woodward 3 con) Crusaders 7 (Jonny McNicholl, Richie Mo'unga con). HT 27-7.

Mick Robbers, former Club President and first captain of Marist St Pats, has generously donated a limited edition Rugby World Cup jersey to be auctioned with all proceeds going to the Marist St Pats Shamrock Foundation. The jersey is no. 73 of only 750 released to commemorate the All Blacks participation in the now famous 1995 Rugby World Cup; a tournament remembered for many colourful reasons. Bid now here

The Hurricanes and the Blues U20 teams have both been selected ahead of their clash next Wednesday 17 February in Taupo at 2.00pm. The Blues and the Chiefs U20 sides meed in Pukekohe this Friday. See the two teams here 

Tawa have announced that this weekend's scheduled second annual Tawa Sevens tournament has been postponed. More details to come.

Wellington club rugby regulars Greg Foe (Poneke) Valentine Meachen (Marist St Pat’s) and Isaia Petelo (Marist St Pat’s) have been selected in the Samoa A side to play the Melbourne Rebels in the latter’s Super Rugby pre-season match and the former’s warm-up towards the Pacific Rugby Challenge which also features A teams from Tonga, Fiji and Japan. Former Hurricanes lock Potu Levasa is the Head Coach and Alama Ieremia (Wests Roosters) is the Technical Advisor.

Visit Photos across the top of this page to view images of Saturday's Super Rugby pre-season fixture between the Hurricanes and the Blues at Eketahuna. 

Longtime Marist St Pat's player and Wellington club rugby supporter Pete Dunn has passed away, the MSP club has reported. "Pete played for MSP for a number of years from Premiers through to Presidents grade, the club reported. "His teammates he gathered along the way will undoubtedly have some legendary stories to tell about the man. There will be many within our club who will be feeling a great loss and we extend our support to them at this time. Pete was a family man of the best sort and will be missed tremendously."

The Hurricanes meet the Crusaders this coming Friday in Blenheim in their third and final pre-season fixrure ahead of the start of the 2016 Super Rugby season. Tune into 1161AM from 4.30pm. 

The Blues pulled clear for a comfortable 40-12 win over the Hurricanes at Eketahuna today in their community pre-season fixture. Scores were 7-7 at halftime, but with new combinations tried and several injuries sustained, the Hurricanes couldn't keep pace with the Blues. Hooker Leni Apisai (Northern United) and wing Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) were the Hurricanes try-scorers. This follows a 0-28 defeat to the Western Force. The Hurricanes have one further pre-season fixture, this coming Friday in Blenhei against the Crusaders.

You might look at the Hurricanes' pre-season clash with the Blues in Eketahuna on Saturday and think bore, joke, chore, public-relations charade or hiding to nothing. Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara sees something rather different. Read more here

View days one and two photos of the National Sevens tournament that was held at Wainuiomata over the weekend by visiting Photos above. 

The Hurricanes full squad will travel to play the Blues at the Eketahuna Rugby Club thisSaturday, in their second pre-season Super Rugby hit-out. The match kicks off at 3.00pm. Tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game are available through PGG Wrightson Stores and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for GA and $130pp for Corporate Tickets. Tickets also available online at www.tui.co.nz. Kick-off is at 3pm. If the game is not sold out prior, gate sales will be available. More details of the match published here later this week.

The day Nene Va'alepu took on prop Reg Goodes sticks out in Henry Smith's mind. Va'alepu, Northern United's centre, came up against the hulking Poneke prop during a club match a few years back and Smith, his captain, said there was no chance the much slighter man was going to give way. "Nene was one of the smallest guys out there, but he had the biggest heart," Smith recalled. "To him, it didn't matter how big they [opponents] were and Reg Goodes was pretty big. Nene muscled up and put him backwards. It gave everyone a huge lift." Read more here

Wellington's Kat Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) is off toFlorida and Sao Paulo with the New Zealand Women's Sevens side. The team departs for a training camp in Florida on Sunday 7 February. The players will also travel to Rio de Janiero to familiarise themselves with the Olympic host city before heading to Sao Paulo,the venue of the second tournament of the year on 20-21 February. 

Super Rugby's governing body Sanzaar announced a number of changes - including one to its own name. Sanzar is now Sanzaar - the extra 'a' signifying Argentina's entrance into the Southern Hemisphere alliance and they also confirmed the controversial bonus point system will change when the competition gets going. Teams will now need to score three more tries than the opposition to get a bonus point, A losing bonus point will, however, still be up for grabs if teams finish within seven of their opposition. For more read here 

Former assistant coach Sam Rasch has been appointed Director of Rugby at high profile Wellington school Scots College. Former leading Wellington Premier club rugby first five-eighth and current Wellington Sevens assistant coach Rasch takes over from Japanese bound Filo Tiatia. Read more here  

Hurricanes loose forward and two-time World Cup winning All Black Victor Vito (Marist St Pat's) has announced he will play his rugby in France next season. Vito has signed a three-year contract with French Top 14 club La Rochelle and will farewell New Zealand rugby at the completion of the 2016 Super Rugby season.

The Hurricanes have much to ponder after losing 0-28 to the Western Force in Gosford tonight. The Hurricanes trailed 0-7 at halftime and let in three more tries over the back half of the contest. 

The new home - if there is one - of the sevens tournament hosted by New Zealand will be known as early as next month and Dunedin will put its hand up if it is commercially viable. But it may be a bridge too far for the tournament to be lured south given the sheer logistics involved and the tight turnaround for teams. Read more here 

Nine players will pull on the Hurricanes jersey for the first time during the team’s first Super Rugby preseason match of 2016 against the Western Force in Gosford on Wednesday. The six Hurricanes six RWC are All Blacks unavailable. The team is: 1. Reggie Goodes, 2. Motu Matu'u, 3. Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 4. Vaea Fifita, 5. Mark Abbott, 6. Brad Shields (c), 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Blade Thomson, 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Otere Black, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Willis Halaholo, 13. Pita Ahki, 14. Matt Proctor, 15. Jason Woodward. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Hisa Sasagi, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, James Blackwell, Tony Lamborn, Frae Wilson, Malo Tuitama, Peter Umaga-Jensen.

Local clubs, Marist St Pat's and Hutt Old Boys Marist, were to the fore on day one of the New Zealand Marist Sevens tournament held in Wellington on Saturday morning. Both MSP men's teams and HOBM's side topped the three men's pools, while MSP defeated Hastings Rugby and Sports to win the women's section. Day two resumes at 8.30am Sunday morning, with the men's Cup final scheduled for 12.50pm. View day one photos here

Northern United outside back Nene Va'alepu has lost his long battle with cancer. 2010 Jubilee Cup winner and 2011 Jubilee Cup runner-up Nene passed awat this week. He was a Premier player for Norths beteen 2007-13 and his brothers Ajay (Premiers) and Tia (Colts) have also played for Norths. Rest in peace Nene. 

Defending champions Wainuiomata will be hosting the National Club Sevens championship next weeekend, 6 and 7 February, with 20 clubs from around the country competing. More details to come soon, but some Wellington clubs are confirmed to be taking part, these being: Wainuiomata, the Upper Hutt Rams, Marist St Pat's, Old Boys University and Poneke. Plus a new women's section including local clubs (TBC). 

Darren Larsen has been appointed as the WRFU’s new Academy Manager. Larsen has coached various Wellington age grade representative teams for more than a decade.A level four World Rugby accredited coach, his impressive resume also includes coaching the Hurricanes development side and the New Zealand secondary schools Barbarians selection for the past two seasons. He has been the RDO for the Petone Rugby Club since 2013, but began his playing career as a front rower for the Wainuiomata Rugby Club before going on to coach the premier side. Larsen takes over the Academy job from Evan Crawford.

Several New Zealand players have been named in the Samoan team for this coming weekend’s Wellington Sevens tournament, including local players Danny Tusitala (Old Boys University), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Petone), and Tomasi Alosio (Hutt Old Boys Marist). Edit: Plus Greg Leafofi (Wainuiomata) as a back-up player. 

Read about tournament news and view the draw and matches at the World Sevens Wellington tournament website here 

The Hurricanes are launching a new three-part pre-season TV series to be aired on Sky Sport on 12 February, 19 February and 25 February. In the meantime, watch past episodes of Hurricane PD here 

Petone and now Glasgow Warriors midfielder Nick Grigg has been selected in Scotland's Sevens side for next week's Wellington leg of the World Rugby Sevens tournament. 

Former Wests Roosters, Wellington and Hurricanes No. 8 Filo Tiatia is joining former Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett at the coaching staff of the Japanese Sunwolves this year. Tiatia, who spent several years playing in Japan, leaves his current posiiton as Director of Rugby at Wellington's Scots College. Read more here

New Zealand Sevens representative Murphy Taramai is leaving Wellington rugby. The 23-year-old Upper Hutt Rams' player has signed a two-year contract with North Harbour, where he will conentrate on the 15s game. Read more here

View some photos of the weekend's National Sevens in Rotorua here (day one) and here (day two). 

2016 National Sevens Women's Player of the Tournament Kat Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) has been named as one of 22 contracted players in this year's 2016 Women's Sevens squad. From this squad, 12 players will be selected for the NZ Rio Olympic Games team in August. Read more here 

Wellington's women finished runners-up to Manawatu at the National Sevens tournament this weekend. Wellington lost 19-26 to Manawatu in the final, following earlier day two wins over Auckland 21-10 in their Cup playoff and Canterbury 33-7 in their Cup semi-final. The Wellington men reached the Cup semi-finals, after toppling Auckland 24-19 in their Cup quarterfinal and then losing to North Harbour 28-14 in their Cup semi-final. 

Piri Weepu (Wainuiomata) has been released by his French club Oyonnax. The 32-year-old was recruited by former coach Olivier Azam and initially signed a two-year deal with the club. "Oyonnax have ended Piri Weepu's contract. The player is no longer part of the club's professional squad," the club said. Read more here

Chase Tiatia (Hutt Old Boys Marist) is looking to make the leap to the next level after two years in the national provincial championship with Wellington and Bay of Plenty. He said making the step up to a Super Rugby environment had been massive, and although he has had a few struggles adapting to the life of a full-time professional, he was beginning to find his feet. Read more here

New Head Coach Tana Umaga (Petone) has told the New Zealand Herald there's an air of optimisim at Blues HQ ahead of the new season. The signs are positive, he says. "There are no excuses now. We've got the facility, we've got the resources, so hopefully it should lead to better performances on the field. Read more here

Wellington Men: Beat Otago 17-7Beat Hawkes Bay 10-7 Lost to Taranaki 12-20 The Men finished second in their pool, and qualified for the Cup Semi-Final tomorrow at 11:25am v Auckland (live on Sky Sport 3) 

Wellington Women:Beat Otago 24-0Lost to Waikato 5-20Beat Counties-Manukau 22-12Beat North Harbour 31-7 The Women finished second in their pool, and qualified for the Cup Playoff tomorrow at 10:05am v Auckland

Hurricanes players Victor Vito, Beauden Barrett, and brothers Ardie and Julian Savea will be judging separate fashion categories for Fashion in the Field while the rest of the Hurricanes team mingle and mix with the public on Wellington Cup Day next Saturday, 23 January. The judging categories have been divided into men (judged by Julian Savea), women (Ardie), mature (Barrett), and under-25s (Vito). Read more here

The Wellington women were beaten finalists at today's BoP Provincial Sevens tournament at Mout Maunganui. In a repeat of last month's Central region final, Wellington lost 19-12 to Manawatu in the final match of the day. Wellington led 12-7 at halftime. Previously they beat Waikato 26-5 in the semi-final, following a 14-12 win over Counties Manukau and a 14-5 win over Auckland. The Wellington men lost 14-10 to Northland, drew with Manawatu 19-19 and beat Counties Manukau 14-12 and then lost 14-10 to Manawatu in their Plate final.

Men’s: Sheridan Rangihuna - Hutt Old Boys Marist (Captain), Murphy Taramai - Upper Hutt Rams. Hayden Schrijvers - Upper Hutt Rams, Greg Foe - Poneke, Daniel Schrijvers - Upper Hutt Rams. Isaia Petelo - Marist St Pats, Te Wehi Wright - Old Boys University, Lise Soloa - Hutt Old Boys Marist, Nua Fono-Hunt - Upper Hutt Rams, Jordan Simpson-Hefft - Upper Hutt Rams, Max Pearson - Upper Hutt Rams, Roy Kinikinilau - Johnsonville, Jackson Garden-Bachop - Northern United, Joseph Scheres - Poneke Women's: Women’s Sevens Aimee Sutorius - Northern United (Captain), Ayesha Leti'Iiga - Oriental-Rongotai, Ruby Finau - Avalon Wolves, Georgia Daals - Old Boys University, Monica Tagao'i - Marist St Pats, Kat Whata-Simpkins - Avalon Wolves, Amanda Rasch - Oriental-Rongotai, Fa'asua Makisi - Oriental-Rongotai, Carol Sio - Avalon Wolves, Vaine Marsters - Northern United, Timena Tuma'ai - Oriental-Rongotai, Elizabeth Goulden - Oriental-Rongotai, Soraya Umaga-Jensen - Wainuiomata, Stacee Sturm - Hutt Old Boys Marist

Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) and Conrad Smith (Old Boys University), along with All Blacks forward coach Mike Cron, were appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2015 New Year honours list. For more read here

Club Rugby, Wellington, wishes everyone a merry Christmas. View a photo gallery recapping the 2015 season here 

Former Wellington Lions, Hurricanes and All Black  Alama Ieremia (Wests Roosters) is set to be Head Coach of Samoa. Read more here  

Petone's James Blackwell was crowned this year's Hurricanes pre-season Surf to Peak winner. Frae Wilson (Wainuiomata) finished second and two-time former champion Callum Gibbins third. The event started at Lyall Bay with a 1km run, then a 21km cycle around the bays to Oriental Bay, followed by a 2km uphill run to the Mt Victoria lookout. Blackwell's time of 57.28 was a new record, beating Gibbins' best of 57.55. 

Porirua Park's main seating area has officially been named the Jerry Collins Grandstand, the Kapi Mana News has reported this week. A community event next year will recognise this, probably on Northern United's Old Timers' Day. 

The Pools and the fixtures list for the Wellington leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 30 and 31 January can be viewed here New Zealand plays Pool matches against Russia, Scotland and South Africa. The tournament will provide a backdrop to the National Club Middlesex Cup sevens hosted by the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club on the same weekend (details pending). 

BLK Christmas clearance sale. NOTHING OVER $70. Prices starting from as a low as $5. The sale will be held at the Upper Hutt Rams Rugby Club which is at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt. Thursday December 17th 2pm - 8pm, Friday December 18th 10am - 7pm and Saturday December 19th 9am - 2pm 

The Wellington men's Sevens team for theCentral Zone tournament in Levin is:
Murphy Taramai (Upper Hutt Rams), Hayden Schrijvers (Upper Hutt Rams), Greg Foe (Poneke), Sheridan Rangihuna (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Daniel Schrijvers (Upper Hutt Rams), Isaia Petelo (Marist St Pat's), Te Wehi Wright (Old Boys University), Lise Soloa (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Piri Paraone (Petone), Jordan Simpson-Hefft (Upper Hutt Rams), Roy Kininkinilau (Johnsonville), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United).

The Wellington Women's squad for Levin on Saturday is: Amanda Rasch, Ruby Finau, Georgia Daals, Monica Tagoa’i,Sieni Mose, Ayesha Leti’Iiga, Fa’asua Makisi, Caroline Sio, Aimee Sutorius, Vaine Marsters, Timena Tuma’ai, Elizabeth Goulden

Max Pearson (Upper Hutt Rams) has today been selected in the All Black Sevens team for this coming weekend's tournament in Cape Town. Pearson, who was a standout at the recent American Ambassador's club tournament and who played for the NZ Development team in Noosa recently joins Ambrose Curtis and Antonio Kiri Kiri in the squad as replacements for this weekend.

Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai) has been called into the All Blacks Sevens squad ahead of this weekend's World Series tournament in Cape Town, after the squad sustained an injury crisis in the season opener in Dubai. Read more here

Stokes Valley RFC pair Tania Karaitiana and Vio Ugone are nominated for the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year award at this Friday’s NZ Rugby Awards in Auckland. Read more here 

Visit Photos across the top of this page for a mixed gallery from the Piri Weepu 7s tournament at William Jones Park on Saturday. 

Jubilee Cup champions Old Boys University kick off their 2016 campaign with an information evening. This is an open invite to all players wishing to play for the club next season. The coaches and fitness trainer will outline the plan for the pre-season and give players the opportunity to ask any questions. The meeting will be at The Cambridge Hotel, Thursday 3 December, 6pm. If you have any questions beforehand, please make contact via the club’s Facebook page

Kat Whata-Simpkins (Avalon) has been selected in the New Zealand Women's Sevens team for the opening tournament of the new season in Dubai on 3 and 4 December. The team also features Niall Williams, sister of Sonny Bill Williams. 

Rugby continues to be the game of choice for significant numbers of New Zealanders. Rugby by the numbers:

• 150,727 players – small increase of 163 from 2014
• 80,978 Small Blacks (5-12 years) - increase of 549 (1 percent) compared to 2014
• 42,072 teenagers (13-20 years) – decrease of 242 (0.5 percent) compared to 2014
• 27,677 players aged 21 and over - decrease of 144 (0.5 percent) compared to 2014
• 19,792 female players – increase of 1,967 (11 percent) compared to 2014
• 12,109 coaches – increase of 396 (3 percent) compared to 2014
• 1,851 referees – decrease of 33 (2 percent) compared to 2014

The Wellington Men’s Sevens team beat North Harbour RFC 33-5 and Auckland 24-0 and drew 7-7 with Auckland RFC on the opening day of the Auckland 7s tournament. Wellington plays Northcote on Sunday at 11.20am in their quarterfinal match. The Women’s section is being played all day on Sunday.

Conrad Smith (Old Boys University) has won the Wellingtonian of the Year Award. Smith played his 100th match for the Hurricanes in 2015 and then helped the All Blacks retain the Rugby World Cup.

Several former and current Wellington players were in action this morning as the famous Barbarians rugby club defeated English club Gloucester 62-14. Barbarians players included Ardie Savea (Ories) and Lima Sopoaga (OBU), as well as Hurricanes fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder, while Tim Molenaar (OBU) and Joe Latta (Poneke) both played for Gloucester.

Former Counties Manukau, Blues, Chiefs, Wellington and Hurricanes All Blacks wing Jonah Lomu (Wainuiomata) passed away this morning. Read more here

The Blues have selected blockbusting wing Afa Fa'atau (Oriental-Rongotai) to their Wider Training Group for the 2016 Super Rugby season. Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga (Petone) has also signed former 100-game Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer to their roster. 

A group of Wellington players has been selected to attend the first New Zealand U20 development camp for 2016 as coaches work to identify and develop the players who will defend their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in England next year:

Joe Apikotoa (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
Asafo Aumua (St Pat's Silversstream, club TBA)
Anthony Pettet (Johnsonville)
Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
Lester Maulolo (Petone)
Pepe Patafilo (Tawa)
Malo Tuitama (Ories)

Also: Leni Apisai (Northern United, not considered due to Hurricanes committments), TJ Va'a (Wainuiomata, not considered due to injury). Alex Fidow (Scots College/Ories), Thomas Umaga Jensen (Scots College/Wellington) and Peter Umaga-Jensen (Scots College, club TBA) all not considered due to school exams

Three members of Wellington's St Pat's Town First XV have signed wiith Hawke's Bay for the 2015 season. Captain Jack Nelson-Murray, halfback/first-five Zac Donaldson and No 8 Hannon Brighouse will make the move north in January. Read more here 

Be part of a 8 strong volunteering team, filming, coding and presenting alongside the Rongotai College Rugby playing and coaching team. This opportunity is to develop your skills in Video Analysis, giving you experience working with a 'traditional' Premier College Rugby team. You will be a part of our 'long term player development strategy' You will work as part of a team on all matches (including pre-season) but flexibility will be available. Training will be provided. This is a great 'stepping stone' for future involvement in a professional sport. If this sounds like you please get in touch with Dave Meaclem - Head Coach dave@rugbycoach.co.nz

Visit Photos across the top of this page to view several new photo galleries from recent Sevens tournaments, including the Condor 7s on Labour Day and the WRFU Open tournament on Saturday. 

Four Wellington players have been selected in the All Blacks starting XV to face Australia in Sunday morning's Rugby World Cup final, kick-off 6.00am (NZT). These players are: Dane Coles (Poneke), Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai), Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) and Conrad Smith (Old Boys University). Victor Vito (Marist St Pat's) is on the bench.

Bay of Plenty has signed Wellington and Wainuiomata loose forward Henry Stowers for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Stowers joins Auckland duo and 2015 U20 RWC winners Mitchell Karpik and Liam Polwart as new Steamers players, also joining Chase Tiatia (HOBM) and Shahn Eru (Wainuiomata) at the union.

The Wellington Lions were left to lament missing plenty of chances in their last-gasp 25-26 ITM Cup Championship final loss to the Hawke's Bay Magpies on Friday night. The Magpies flew in to score a 78th minute try out wide to fullback Mason Emerson and first five-eighth Ihaia West converted to give them victory and promotion to the Premiership next season. Wellington had led 20-9 late in the first half and 25-19 deep into the second with right wing had scored his second try. 

The annual Village Kings 10-a-side tournament hosted by the Wellington Samoa Rugby Union, is being played at Wise Park, Wainuiomata, tomorrow all day from 8.30am-5.00pm. Free entry, so head there and catch all the action. 

WRRA referee Ben O'Keeffe is the referee for the ITM Cup Premiership final on Saturday night between Canterbury and Auckland. O'Keeffe has refereed seven matches in the competition so far, including last weekend's semi-final between Auckland and Tasman.

The annual Wellington Rugby awards are being held at Te Papa next Tuesday. The community awards nominees are:

Club Coach of the Year

• Jeremy Little (Old Boys University Premiers)
• Matt Poutoa (Northern United Women)
• David Tye and David Fa’atafa (Tawa U85kg)

Club Team of the Year

• Old Boys University Premiers
• Northern United Women
• Poneke Ruffnuts

Most Promising Player of the Year

• Joe Apikotoa (Hutt Old Boys Marist/Wellington Under 19/Wellington Lions)
• Leni Apisai (Northern United/Wellington Lions/Hurricanes)
• Wes Goosen (Old Boys University/Wellington Lions)

WRFU Volunteer of the Year

• Tammy Ferreira (Petone)
• John Sheehan (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
• Vio Ugone & Tania Karaitiana (Stokes Valley)

Referee of the Year

• Richard Gordon
• Nick Hogan
• Vincent Ringrose

Upper Hutt Rams flanker Blair Cowan was left shattered by his side's last-gasp RWC defeat to Australia, ending his World Cup Dream. For more read here 

The ITM Cup Championship Final between the Wellington Lions and the Hawke's Bay Magpies is this Friday night in Napier, kick-off 7.35pm and live on Sky Sport. 

In final results of two Sevens tyournaments today, Hastings Boys' High School beat St Pat's Town 41-21 to win the Hurricanes Secondary Schools title in Palmerston North and St Pat's Silverstream (pictured) beat Scots College 27-12 in the Hutt Valley Regional Secnondary Schools 7s, after Scots had defeated them in pool play. Scots College were playing in this tournament as the scheduled Wellingto City one today was cancelled. The Condor 7s is on Labour Day. 

Poneke 200-game prop and Wellington club rugby legend Misiluni Moananu has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. A group of his Poneke friends have organised a small event next week to raise some funds for Luni and his family to be used how they best see fit.  Next Thursday at 4.00pm at Mishmosh they are holding Karma Keg and a raffle. Tickets are $20 and the prizes include signed 2015 All Blacks and Wellington jerseys.

Alternatively if you like to make a donation you can do this direct online to Poneke account 01-0505-0621582-01 Please use Particulars: For Luni Reference: Your name. Any further questions please email Evan Belford at evanbelford@920.co.nz or text/call me on 021 836 440.

Ma'a Nonu will play his 100th Test this coming weekend when he plays Tonga. Nonu, who made his All Blacks Test debut in 2003, has had 83 Test starts in his stellar career, scored 29 tries and is the most capped All Blacks second five-eighth. He will become the All Blacks sixth Test centurion on Saturday morning (NZT). As well as Nonu's 100th Test match, several other All Blacks will reach milestones this Friday:  Owen Franks will play his 75th Test and Samuel Whitelock will play his 70th.  Conrad Smith played his 90th Test last week, while Kieran Read played his 80th Test.  Read will become the 10th equal most capped All Black of all time this this week (alongside Justin Marshall).

Former All Blacks and  overseas-based New Zealand players will honour the late Jerry Collins in a match against European champions Toulon.

They will don the jersey of the Classic All Blacks and take on the French giants in Toulon on Thursday (NZ time).

For more read here

Top qualifier Auckland will host fourth placed Waikato and second placed Wellington will play third placed Counties Manukau in the Women's NPC semi-finals on Saturday 10 October. Venues and times to be confirmed. 

The Wellington Development team beatTasman Development 36-33 in a one-off match in Blenheim on Sunday. Wellington led 22-14 at halftime and scored tries through Wellington Axemen backs Paddy Hughes (2) and Matt Goosen (2) and OBU halfback Luke Campbell and  HOBM wing Fereti Soloa. Campbell kicked three conversions. 

Alex Fidow (Scots College/Ories) won the Brnoze Boot for being the Player of the Match for New Zealand in their Schools Test Match win over Australia on Friday night. Fidow was dynanmic throughout and scored a well-deserved try in the 32-8 win in Brisbane. 

The Wellington Lions drew with the Hawke's Bay Magpies 22-22 at Westpac Stadium on Wednesday night. Jason Woodward (Upper Hutt Rams, pictured), Vaea Fifita (Wellington) and Reggie Goodes (Poneke) were try-scorers. The Lions next play BoP this coming Sunday in Tauranga.

The youngest member of the Pride, 'Baby' Ayesha Leti-I'iga has been making waves in the Women's NPC this year. The Porirua College wing had another good game recently against Canterbury, scoring a try and making several probing bursts. Read more about her here

Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) is set to play his 100th Test this weekend against Georgia in the Rugby World Cup. Whilst sitting in a cafe in Miramar prior to his trip overseas, Toby Robson penned this fantastic tribute to him. It concludes with: "When all is said and done, Nonu will bow out as the best and most colourful second five-eighth the All Blacks have seen. And that will apply whether he starts in the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup or not." Read more here

SANZAR today unveiled the draw for the 2016 competition which features new teams from Japan, Argentina and South Africa who will compete for a brand new Super Rugby trophy. The new Japanese team will play its historic first game against the Lions on the afternoon of Saturday 27 February in Tokyo which will be the first Super Rugby match played in Japan. The new Argentinian team gets its maiden Super Rugby campaign underway in Bloemfontein that same weekend against the Cheetahs 

Several New Zealand teams are playing in Australia's Central Coast Sevens tournament next month. In the Men’s draw, the New Zealand 7s Development, Wellington 7s and the Rangataua (Bay of Plenty club) are competing. The Women’s draw sees the New Zealand 7s Development and New Zealand Wasps teams participating. For more about the tournament read here

The opening match for Wellington and Taranaki in the National U19s Jock Hobbs tournament this coming Sunday from Owen Delany Park is at 6.00pm on Sunday. It will be shown live on Sky Sport 2 and on Hurricanes Radio on 1161AM or online at online at Tunein.com. 

Undecided about which club to play for in Wellington next year? View an introductory video from Marist St Pat's here 

Visit Photos above to check out some new photo galleries from representative games in Wellington in the weekend. Photos from the Wellington U19 and Wellington Development teams against Manawatu and of the Wellington Samoans U18s against Wanganui U18s.

The Wellington Maori Men's team completed their 2015 representative season on a high, beating Tasman Maori 94-17 in Blenheim on Sunday. Old Boys University wing Te Wehi Wright scored 5 tries. 

The National U19 Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament in Taupo runs on 27 and 30 September and 3 October.

The teams contesting this year’s Graham Mourie Cup Premiership (top 8) division are:
Blues: North Harbour (Ranked 1), Auckland A (2)
Chiefs: Waikato (1), Taranaki (2)
Hurricanes: Wellington (1), Manawatu (2)
South Island: Canterbury (1), Otago (2)

The teams contesting this year’s Michael Jones Trophy Championship (bottom 8) division are:
Blues: Northland (3), Auckland B (4)
Chiefs: Counties Manukau (3), Bay of Plenty (4)
Hurricanes: Hawke’s Bay (3), Heartland team (4)
South Island: Tasman (3), Southland (4)

Draws and preview later this week.

The Wellington Lions will soldier on without their captain for the remainder of the ITM Cup after he sustained a season-ending injury against Otago last night.Brad Shields fractured his jaw in the narrow loss and will undergo surgery this evening, ruling him out for an estimated six weeks. Ardie Savea is the new captain. The Lions' next match is next Sunday against Waikato. 

Former All Blacks and University (Old Boys University) five-eighth and midfielder Ian Uttley has died in a car crash. Uttley played two Testsat centre against England in 1963. Diminutive in size, Uttley had top skills and a keen eye for a gap. Orginially from the South Island, Uttley spent his final year of school at Wellington College and played for Wellington between 1961-65 and again in 1968. He also played for Auckland in 1966 and Bay of Plenty in 1967. Read more

Former Old Boys University and Hurricanes utility back Shannon Paku has today been announced as a new member on the Wellington Rugby Board of Directors. Paku has been appointed as a director through to the next annual general meeting in March 2016, and becomes the first super rugby player to take a seat around the board’s table. Paku is well known to the rugby community in Wellington, having been a member of the Wellington Lions from 2000-2008, and the Hurricanes from 2001-2002, and again from 2004-2008. He then played two seasons with Montauban in France. Since his return, Paku has been involved with OBU.  

The Junior Wellington Lions and the Junior Hawke's Bay Magpies met in the Hurricanes U19 Seeding Tournament on Saturday. The Wellington side won the match 46-5. Listen to the commentary by going here

Several players from Wellington schools have been named in the NZ Secondary Schools and NZ Barbarians Schools teams for upcoming matches. The two teams meet each other in Palmerston North this Saturday and the NZ Schools team plays a three-match international series in Brisbane against Samoa Schools, Australia Schools and Australia Schools Barbarians.

New Zealand Schools: Asafo Aumua (St Patrick’s Silverstream) Alex Fidow (Scots College) Losi Filipo (St Patrick’s, Silverstream), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington College) Xavier Numia (St Patrick’s College, Town) Ben Power (Hutt International Boys’ School) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Scots College) Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Scots College) New Zealand Barbarians Schools: Joshua Brown (St Patrick’s, Silverstream)

As the Avalon Wolves Rugby Football Club looks ahead to another Premier season in 2016, they are seeking applications from current and prospective coaches for all grades:
Premier, Premier Reserve, Colts, Women's, Reserve (Social), Under 85kg, Sevens.
Applications should be directed to Rugby Development Officer Scott Waldrom 0277402001 Email waldrom@live.com and Club Captain Glen Kennedy 021973522 Email avalonrugby@hotmail.co.nz All coaching applications need to be received by 25 September.

Friday 11 September 2015
Wellington U16A v Wellington U16 Development; Alex Moore Artificial 5:30pm
Wellington Lions v Tasman; Westpac Stadium 7:35pm

Saturday 12 September 2015
Home Fixtures:
Wellington Development v Wellington Samoans; Petone Rec #1 2:30pm
Wellington Under 19 v Hawkes Bay Under 19; Petone Rec #1 1pm
Wellington U18 Girls v Wellington Maori Women; Maoribank Park 2pm
Wellington Maori Development v Wanganui B; Maoribank Park 12:30pm
Centurions U21 v Hutt Old Boys Marist; Petone Rec #4 1pm
Away Fixtures:
Wellington Pride v Hawkes Bay; Napier 1pm
Wellington Under 18 v Wanganui; Cooks Gardens 12:30pm
Wellington Samoan Under 18 v East Coast; Ruatoria 1pm

Nine players from Wellington schools have be selected in an intial 53-player NZ Schools squad to head into camp to play Samoa Schools, Australian Barbarians Schools and Australia Schools in Brisbane at the end of this month. The players are: Asafo Aumua (St Pat's Silverstream), Joshua Brown (St Pat's Silverstream), Alex Fidow (Scots College), Losi Filipo ( St Pat's Siverstream), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington College), Ben Power (HIBS), Xavier Numia (St Pat's Town), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Scots College), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Scots College)

Disappointing, but not disastrous, was how Wellington Pride coach James Porter summed up Saturday's loss to Waikato. The Pride led last year's beaten women's provincial finalists 13-0 at halftime in Hamilton, only to eventually be run down 27-16. "We just lacked that little bit of conditioning against a very fit and very organised Waikato team," Porter said. They play the Hawke's Bay Tuis this coming weekend at home (venue and time TBC). Read the Dominion Post article here

UPDATE: To listen to a recording of the commentary, visit soundcloud.com - search HURRICANES 050915

Tune into 1161AM (coverage from Taranaki, through Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough) to listen to live commentary of today's clash between the Wellington U19s and the Hurricanes Barbarians U19s from Arena Manawatu. For other regions, the commentary will be on-line (mobile or PC) via www.tunein.com, (search on Te Upoko to find the station). 

The Wellington U19s have been selected for their first compeitition match of the season on Saturday against the Hurricanes Barbarians. The team includes Malo Tuitama on the bench, whose name was absent from the squad we published on Monday. The team is: Delano Morkel, Josh Hosuton-Tupou, Tao-Roi Lupo, Bradd Forster, Lui Luamanu, Vern Sosefo, Te Whenua Poihipi, Patrick Fenika, Kaide McCashin, Piri Paraone, Jarrod Adams, Lester Maulolo, Pepesana Patafilo, Samoa Mamoemausu, Josh Robertson-Weepu. Reserves: Joe Walding-Karaitiana, Paasi Fine, George Taeloa, Ale Peni, Daniel Schrijvers, Logan Henry, Alex Ropeti, Malo Tuitama.

The WRFU has released the draw for the summer of Sevens draw, this being:

Club Sevens Programme:
31 October WRFU Open Invitational Sevens Tournament, Venue TBC
07 November WRFU American Ambassador Sevens Tournament, Venue TBC
Late November Piri Weepu Sevens, Wainuiomata
Early February 2016 Tawa Sevens, Tawa

College Sevens Programme:
26 September College Sevens, Naenae College
17 October Wellington Zone College 7’s Tournament, Wakefield Artificial (City Schools Only)
Derek Wootton Memorial 7’s, Porirua Park (Western Suburbs Schools Only)
Hutt Sevens, Fraser Park (Hutt Schools Only)
26 October Secondary Schools Condor Qualifying Tournament, Naenae College
07 November WRFU American Ambassadors Sevens Tournament, Venue TBC
Entries restricted to the two schools who qualify for the Condor National Sevens
21 November Under 15 Sevens, Naenae College
02 December Condor National Sevens, Kelston Boys College, Auckland

Representative Sevens Programme:
24/25 October Central Coast Sevens, Queensland (Men only)
24 October Village Kings Sevens Tournament, Porirua Park
21/22 November Auckland Sevens Tournament, Auckland (Men and Women)
12 December Representative Regional Qualifiers, Levin (Men and Women)
9 January 2016 Mt Maunganui Sevens (Men and Women)
16-17 January National Sevens, Rotorua International Stadium (Men and Women)

Marist St Pat's is seeking applications for coaches in 2016. For more read here

Wellington players selected in the All Blacks World Cup squad are Dane Coles (Poneke), Victor Vito (Marist St Pat's), TJ Perenara (Northern United), Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai), Conrad Smith (Old Boys University) and Julian Savea (Orienatal-Rongotai)

The Wellington Football Club is seeking a Rugby Development Officer. The RDO’s main responsibilities will consist of: Ensuring the Club is an attractive place to play, coach and enjoy rugby; Recruiting, up skilling and resourcing players and coaches; Building strong relationships between school and club rugby. To apply for the position of Rugby Development Officer at The Axemen please forward your CV to Jason Judd, Chairman Wellington Football Club, at axemanrugby@gmail.com or PO Box 2624, Wellington. For further information or to discuss the position please call Jason on 021-280 2514. Applications close 5pm Monday 31 August 2015.

Vaea Fifita (Wellington Axemen) has been signed by the Hurricanes and by Wellington Rugby for three years - it has been reported. His Super contract runs through to the end of 2018 while he has also signed a two season deal with Wellington and an option for a third, the report suggests. Read more here

UPDATED: The last of the Wellington club rugby finals are being played tomorrow, bringing the curtain down on a thrilling 2015 season. Finals tomorrow are:

• Paul Potiki Shield U85kg Division 1: Poneke Cavs v Tawa Titans at Kilbirnie Park at 2.30pm
• First Grade Johnsonville Centennium Cup: Stokes Valley v Petone Saxons at Delaney Park at 2.30pm* 
• Reserve Grade Reserve Grade Div 1: Poneke Ruffnuts v Johnsonville Cripples at Kilbirnie Park 2 at 2.30pm

*In the First Grade semi-final between OBU and Stokes Valley last Saturday, OBU were found to have played an ineligible player. The player had started three times for the OBU Premier Reserves, and was therefore ineligible to play at a lower level without a regrade. As a result, the OBU team has been disqualified from the competition, and the final is confirmed as Stokes Valley v Petone Saxons

Representative draw for this coming weekend:

Festival of Rugby

• Wellington City v Wellington Suburbs; Porirua Park #2 1:00pm
• Wellington Samoan v Wellington Maori; Porirua Park #1 2:30pm

Other Home Fixtures

• Wellington Lions v Northland; Westpac Stadium 7:35pm
• Wellington Pride v Manawatu; Petone Rec #1 12:30pm
• Wellington Maori Women's v Wellington Samoan Women's; Petone Rec #4 11:00am

Other Away Fixtures

• Wellington Under 19 v Tasman Under 19; Blenheim 2:30pm
• Wellington Centurions Under 21 v Wanganui B; Wanganui 12:30pm
• Wellington Maori Development v Wairarapa-Bush; Masterton 5:00pm
• Wellington Under 18 Girls v Bay Of Plenty Under 18 Girls; Taihape 1:00pm

Listen to the commenatary of Saturday's Hurricanes region knock-out win by St Pat's Town over Hastings Boys' High School here 

Thanks to Mike Lewis for his bumper mixed gallery of the College Rugby Finals Day action from St Pat's Silverstream on Saturday. Photos are here on Facebook but will also be put up on Photos above on the website as a permament record. 

Hurricanes Regional College Finals this coming weekend as as follows:

• Girls Final: Feilding HS v Aotea College at Palmerston North, Arena Manawatu 2 at 12.30pm
• Coed Final: Feilding HS v Bishop Viard at Palmerston North, Arena Manawatu 3 at 1.45pm
• Boys Final: St Pats Town v Scots Colleg at Porirua Park, JCS at 1pm

Read about Ambrose Curtis's stint in the Manawatu here

Porirua Park tonight plays host to the College Sport Wellington Girls finals. Mana and St Mary’s College’s will contest the Premier 2 (10-a-side) final at 4.30pm, followed by the Premier 1 (12-a-side) final at 6pm between Aotea College and Wainuiomata HS.

The 2015 Wellington Pride Women’s NPC squad is: Forwards; Moana Aiutu, Sunema Tupuola, Noleen Nonu, Janet Taumoli, Alice Soper, Alicia Print, Jackie Patea, Petra Kriklanova, Sanita Levave, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Caroline Sio, Kirstin Stewart, Aimee Sutorius, Miriam Ready. Backs; Agnes Dean, Raukawa Tuahuru, Lizzie Goulden, Hinerangi Temara, Amanda Rasch, Georgia Daals, Atalina Milovale, Sauimoana Solia, Tina Paulo, Vaine Marsters, Ayesha Leti-l’iga, Mena Tumaai, Ruby Finau, Fa’asua Makisi. They have the bye first up, their season opener is against Manawatu on 29 August. Follow the WNPC here 

The Wellington U19 squad had a convincing 41-0 win over the Wairarapa Bush development side yesterday at memorial park masterton. The younger fitter and more skilled Wellington side were lethal on attack and exposed the more experienced Bush side – with wing Jarrod Adams (Petone) scoring a hat-trick. Hooker Josh Houston-Tupou (UH Rams) scored two tries and was bruising on both attack and defence. The other try scorers were halfback Logan Henry (Petone) and flyhalf Tynan Barrett (UH Rams). There was stand outs from openside Michael Findlay (MSP), lock Anthony Pettett (Johnsonville) and props George Taeiloa (Petone) and Delano Morkel (MSP). A well lead team on the day with Pepesana Patafilo (Tawa) leading the squad in the first half then by Daniel Schrijvers (UH Rams) in the second. Next will be a step up against the Manawatu Maori Senior team.

Listen to a full commentary of last Sunday's WelTec Premiership Wellington First XV final at Porirua Park. St Pat's Town beat defending champons Scots College 19-8. Listen here 

Victor Vito (Marist St Pat's) and Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) are both in the starting All Blacks side to play Australia in Auckland on Saturday night. Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai), Conrad Smith (Old Boys-University) and Dane Coles (Poneke) are also in the run-on team. TJ Perenara (Northern United) starts off the bench.

The Bishop Viard College and Mana College First XVs meet this evening at 5.30pm at Porirua Park in a Beard Trophy fixture

A large contingent of the Manu Samoan squad named this week for the 2015 Rugby World Cup will be well known to New Zealand rugby audiences, with several having played Super Rugby and several more at ITM Cup and club rugby level. The squad is: Forwards: Viliamu Afatia, Jake Grey, Logovii Mulipola, Anthony Perenise, Sakaria Taulafo, Wayne Ole Avei, Ma'atulimanu Leiataua, Motu Matu'u, Faatiga Lemalu, Teofilo Paulo, Kane Thompson, Iosefa (Joe) Tekori, Maurie Faasavalu, Alafoti Faosiliva, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Ofisa Treviranus (captain). Backs: Vavao Afemai, Kahn Fotualii, Patrick Fa'apale, Tusiata Pisi, Mike Stanley, Rey Lee-Lo, Johnny Leota, George Pisi, Paul Perez, Fa'atoina Autagavaia, Ken Pisi, Tim Nanai-Williams, Alesana Tuilagi (vice-captain) Read more here

The National champion Wellington U19s are in action for the first time in 2015 this coming Saturday when they head to Masterton to play their Wairarapa Bush counterparts at Memorial Park, kick-off 2.30pm.

Northern United RFC are seeking applications for coaches for 2016. Head and Assistant roles available. Premier, Premier Reserve, First Grade and Women's teams. Applications to be received no later than 14 August, to: The Secreatary, Northern United Rugby Football Club, PO BOX 40476, Porirua 5240, or by emailing kowtowkiwi@yahoo.co.nz

UPDATE: Wellington won this game 31-17. A Wellington XV meets the Tasman Makos today at Landsdowne Park in Blenheim, kick-off 5.30pm, in their second and final pre-season fixture ahead of the start of next week's ITM Cup.The Makos have named a strong side to meet Wellington. Read more here 

St Patrick's College, Wellington, captain Jack Nelson-Murray chats rugby ahead of this Sunday's WelTec Premiership First XV final at Porirua Park, kick-off 2.15pm. Read more here

Visit Photos across the top of this page for several new photos galleries from Friday's and Saturday's rugby. More galleries being added. 

The Dominion Post covered all three finals yesterday. Read their coverage here 

Results from today's lower grade Wellington club rugby matches will be posted on Sunday. On this website, these include the U21 Paris Memorial Trohy, the U85kg Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield, the Premier Reserve Ed Chaney Cup/HD Morgan Memorial and the First Grade Johnsonville Centennium Cup. 

For fans that can’t wait until tomorrow, there’s plenty of rugby tonight. Games at 7.45pm include:

• Paris Memorial Trophy: Upper Hutt Rams v Johnsonville 
• Ed Chaney/HD Morgan Memorial: MSP v Avalon (Evans Bay park), Upper Hutt Rams v Old Boys University (Maidstone), Ories v Johnsonville (Te Whaea)
• Reserve Grade: Upper Hutt Rams v Johnsonville (Maidstone)

Canterbury defeated Wellington 50-33 in an ITM Cup pre-season match at Rugby League Park in Wellingotn today. Canterbury were far too clinical for Wellington, racing to a 28-7 halftime lead. The home side played better in the second half, but Canterbury pulled clear. 

A Wellington XV meets the Canterbury ITM Cup squad at Rugby League Park this Friday, kick-off 2pm. The Wellington team is:

Forwards: Leni Apisai (Northern United), Hunter Prescott (Oriental-Rongotai), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Marist St Pat's), Joe Apikatoa (Hutt Old Boys Marist), John Schwalger (Northern United), Reggie Goodes (Poneke), Hoani Matenga (Wellington), James Blackwell (Petone), Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Greg Foe (Poneke), Henry Stowers (Wainuiomata), Pau Halafihi (Oriental-Rongotai), Brad Shields (Petone).Backs: Frae Wilson (Wanuiomata), Adam Deck (Wellington), Jonathan Bentley (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United), Marvin Karawana (Wainuiomata), Shaun Treeby (Tawa), Tomasi Alosio (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Tu Umaga-Marshall (Tawa), Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai), Sam McNicol (Petone).

The 2015 Billy Wallace Best & Fairest competition will be shared by Tawa's TJ Fermanis and Wellington's Adam Deck. Neither these two, nor anyone that catch them, is playing in this weekend's Jubilee Cup final. See the updated list below on this page. Only Issac O'Connor (MSP), Fa'atonu Fili (MSP) and Wes Goosen (OBU) can move up to the minor placings after the final. 

Some new photo galleries have been added. See Photos above for these.

Upper Hutt Rams first five-eighth Nua Fono-Hunt played his 100th Premier game for the club in his team's 44-16 Hardham Cup semi-finals win over Avalon on Saturday. A long serving player who has filled most positions in the backline in his time, also played a season for Petone in 2012. 

Lekah Leti starts and plays her 50th game for the Northern United Women's team, while Sanita Levave will be coming off the bench for her 100th appearance in their Victoria Tavern semi-final against the Old Boys University Impalas today. 

Wellington College's latest All Black, Southland first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, will travel to Ellis Park Sopoaga, 24, will travel to Ellis Park in the knowledge he is surrounded by familiar faces; halfback Aaron Smith plays with him at the Highlanders and Sopoaga was a team-mate of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith when he lived in Wellington. Sopoaga and James Broadhurst are te only two newcomers in the All Blacks. Read more here

Taranaki lock James Broadhurst will make his debut for the All Blacks after being named in the starting XV against South African on Sunday morning (NZT). 

Broadhurst, who will become All Black number 1144, will start in the second row alongside Brodie Retallick in the side's second Rugby Championship match.

Lima Sopoaga will also make his debut as he comes in for Daniel Carter at first five-eighth.

The Kapiti Observer had a chat with Wellington Axemen loose forward Sam Gard'ner after his great game for Horowhenua-Kapiti in last week's Ranfurly Shield loss to the Hawke's Bay Magpies. Gard'ner scored the game's opening try, converted by former Northern United player Perry Hayman. It was only at the end of the match that the Magpies pulled clear to win. Read more here

Update: In a thriller, Bishop Viard won a thrilling Beard Trophy encounter defeating holders Tawa 21-17 with a last minute try.Wednesday sees two big College rugby clashes in Wellington. The St Patrick's Traditional takes centre stage in the afternoon when Silverstream hosts Town at 1.40pm with bragging rights and a bye in this weekends first playoff round at stake, while at Porirua Park at 6.30pm Tawa College defend the Beard Trophy against challengers Bishop Viard.

The second match between the St Pat’s Town and St Pat’s Silverstream Old Boys is being played this afternoon at 2.30pm at St Pat’s Silverstream. The match, played under Golden Oldies rules, is 80 years after the abandoned Golden Jubilee match between the colleges, which was abandoned in 1935. The First XVs of the two colleges meet in their annual midweek Traditional match on Wednesday.

We've added a handful of new photo galleries to the Photos section above. With the poor weather on Saturday, we're down on these this week. Here's hoping for a fine finals day coming up. Please email your photo galleries to editor@clubrugby.co.nz

New Plymouth Old Boys' and new Taranaki halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has signed a two year contract with the Hurricanes.

The 20 year old, born in Rotorua, has played in Taranaki for the last two seasons and has had a successful year with both the New Zealand U20 championship team and his club, who recently won the Taranaki club rugby premier final.

“I’m looking forward to learning from TJ and the other halfbacks. To mix and mingle with all of the players and coaching staff as well is going to be great for my growth as a player and person, so I can’t wait" he said.

Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland worked with Tahuriorangi during the U20 campaign and said he is a huge prospect for the future.  

Congratulations to Northern United's Francis Seumanutafa who played his 100th match for Northern United in today's Hardcham Cup fixture between Norths and Avalon. Wearing his customary number 24 jersey, he came off the bench to add much needed spark to Norths in the second half but Avalon held on to win. A versitile player, Seumanutafa has played variously at lock, flanker and wing. His brother, Telea, plays for Tawa. 

The Wellington U19s 35-man squad was announced today. Read more here 

Wellington players selected in the 23-man All Blacks team to meet Argentina this Friday night in Christchurch in the first match of the Rugby Championship are: TJ Perenara (Northern United), Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai) and Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Old Boys Marist).

Steve Rogers will have his first day on the job at Wellington Rugby’s Newtown office today, as the organisation’s new chief executive. Rogers to Wellington earlier this year, having spent the past six years living in Samoa, and more recently Vanuatu, as a chief executive officer with ANZ Bank. Rogers has a rich history in rugby, particularly with Tawa where he played right through the age grades before taking up a coaching role with the senior team in 1990. This year he has been co-coach of Jubilee Cup semi-finalists Tawa. Wellington. Rogers also spent time in Hawke’s Bay where he coached the Taradale premiers to two championships, and the Hawke’s Bay development team.

In a battle between the two franchise’s U18 teams, the Hurricanes U18s have blown the Crusaders Squires away, winning 61-17 in their match in Blenheim today. It was 17-17 at halftime.

Hutt Old Boys Marist loosehead prop Simon “Mongy" Malaeulu played his 150th Premier match for the Eagles against Wainuiomata yesterday. Malaeulu has won two Jubilee Cups (2007 and 2014) and two Swindale Shields (2012 and 2015). Out of St. Pat's Silverstream, Malaeulu was HOBM Club Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011. On Saturday night, his teammates celebrated with a Simon Malaeulu wig night (pictured above).

Chase Tiatia (HOBM), Shahn Eru (Wainuiomata) and Solomona Sakalia (MSP) have been named in Bay of Plenty’s ITM Cup squad this afternoon.

The Wests Roosters are holding their Old Timers' Day tomorrow. All past and present supporters and players are invited to their clubrooms at Ian Galloway Park on Saturday.

Its winter, so it rains a bit and its cold. Consequently, there's a been a raft of transfers affecting all grades below Jubilee and Hardham Cup level tomorow. Additonally, the Paris Memorial Colts grade has been cancelled outright. For the competitions we run, these changes will be made this afternoon in the Draws & Results section above. 

Reggie Goodes (Poneke), Brad Shields (Petone) and Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) have been selected today in the NZ Barbarians side to play the Maori All Blacks next Saturday at Eden Park. Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) was unavailable through injury. 

Current Wellington players, Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai) and Ben May (Old Boys University) have been named in the Maori All Blacks side to play Fiji in Suva on Saturday. The team is captained by Charlie Ngatai (formerly Poneke). The Fijian team named for this match includes Taniela Korori (Tawa) and Api Naikatini (Northern United)

MSP have announced that former Wellington College First XV first five-eighth, Wellington Lion  and 61-match Premier rugby player Andrew Wells is heading to France to play rugby. Wells is linking up with  Rugby Pro D2 club FC Auch Gers. Read more here

Please visit Photos above of the weekend's rugby in Wellington, with new galleries from selected matched in the Ed Chaney Cup, Women's, College, Hardham Cup and Jubilee Cup sections. More Colts and Super Rugby Final photos being uploaded soon. This is a user generated content, and we are creating a record for the future, so please feel free to send photo galleries to editor@clubrgby.co.nz

Former Oriental-Rongotai and Old Boys University midfielder Paula Kinikinilau has been named in the Romanian Oaks Rugby World Cup squad. Read more here Meanwhile, his brother Roy scored another two tries for Johnsonville on Saturday to take his 2015 season tally to 15 in 10 Swindale Shield/Hardham Cup starts. 

The Highlanders defeated the Hurricanes 21-14 in Saturday night's Super Rugby final at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Read the report and match reaction at the Super Rugby website

David Va'a will play his blazer game of 100 appearances today for Wainuiomata against Oriental-Rongotai in their fifth round Jubilee Cup match.  Va'a. who played in last year's Jubilee Cup final at looshead prop, has been named to start on the tighthead side of the scrum today

Tawa College retained the Beard Trophy with a 10-6 win over Aotea College at Jerry Collins Stadium on Wednesday night. 

For those that can't wait until Saturday, there's plenty of rugby on Wednesday:

Quadrangular Tournament at Wellington College
Midday – Wanganui Collegiate v Christs College and 1.30pm – Wellington College v Nelson College

Traditional and WelTec Premiership at Rongotai College
1.30pm – Rongotai v St Pats Silverstream (@Rongotai)

Beard Trophy at Jerry Collins Stadium
6.30pm – Tawa defending against Aotea’s challenge

Paris Memorial Trophy Colts at Ngatitoa Domain
7.15pm – Tawa v Paremata-Plimmerton (catch-up match)

Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai) and Ben May (Old Boys-University) are the two current Wellington players named in he Maori All Blacks squad. They play Fiji in Suva on Saturay 11 July and the New Barbarians in Auckland on Saturday 18 July.

UPDATE: Nelson College beat Wanganui Collegiate 30-7 and Wellington College defeated Christ's College 36-8 in day one matches. Wellington College is hosting the 2015 Quadrangular Tournament this Monday and Wednesday, featuring Christ’s College, Nelson College, Wanganui Collegiate and Wellington College.  Wellington College has had 33 wins, followed by Nelson with 18, Wanganui and Christ’s both with 14. Wellington College has won it 12 successive times since 2003, but this so far have their season has been modest. On Monday, Wanganui Collegiate and Nelson College meet at 12pm and Wellington College and Christ’s play at 1.30pm.

The 2015 Super Rugby final will be an all New Zealand affair at Westpac Stadium in Wellington next week between the home side the Hurricanes and visitors the Highlanders after both combined brawn with brains in beating Australian teams in their semi-finals. The Hurricanes beat the best defensive team in the competition, the Brumbies, four tries to nil, 29-9 at home, while the Highlanders engineered a second half rugby clinic to beat the Waratahs 35-17 in Sydney. Ticket details to follow.

Three Wellington clubs are holding their Old Timers' Days tomorrow. All past players and supporters are welcome at their clubrooms all afternoon and throughout the evening. These clubs being: Old Boys University, Northern United and Avalon Wolves.

Aaron Gage will play his blazer game of 100 appearances tomorrow for Wainuiomata against Wellington in their fourth round Jubilee Cup match. Gage made his starting debut for the Wainuiomata Premiers in 2009 and has played variously at flanker, No. 8 and at lock where he plays tomorrow.

The Hurricanes team to host the Brumbies on Saturday night in their Super Rugby semi-final has been named. See the side hoping to hold off the Horsemen here 

Scots College takes on Lindisfarne College at 12.15pm and St Pat's Silverstream hosts Palmerston North Boys' High School at 1.30pm, in two mid-week First XV matches today. UPDATE: Scots College beat Lindisfarne 34-11 and PNBHS defeated St Pat's Silverstream 33-30.

Tana Umaga (Petone) has been named as the new Blues Head Coach. Former All Blackcs captain Umaga said it was an honour to take up the role with the Blues.“I am excited at the opportunity and of course understand there’s a big challenge ahead for us all,” said Umaga. “I know there are a lot of very good players signed on and I look forward to working with them. There’s no quick fix to turn things around. It is going to take a lot of very hard work which will be my focus. I want to let our performances on the field do the talking.”

Visit Photos across the top of this page for several more photo galleries from Wellington club and college rugby from the weekend. Email photo galleries to editor@clubrugby.co.nz

The Hurricanes will host the Brumbies in Wellington and the Waratahs will welcome the Highlanders to Sydney in the two Super Rugby semi-finalst next Saturday night. The two winners of the Semi-finals will progress to the final and the highest ranked team will host the 2015 Super Rugby final. In the knock-out matches this weekend, the Highlanders ousted the Chiefs 24-14 and the Brumbies defeated the Stormers 39-19.

Current Wellington players named today in the initial 41-man All Blacks squad of the year are: Dane Coles (Poneke), Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams), Ma'a Nonu (Oriental-Rongotai), TJ Perenara (Northern United), Julian Savea (Oriental-Rongotai), Conrad Smith (Old Boys University), Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Old Boys Marist) and Victor Vito (Marist St Pat's). Plus: Lima Sopoaga (Old Boys-University/Southland). Notable absence: Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai)

Henry Stowers (Wainuiomata) will come off the bench in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship against England in Cremona, Italy, on Sunday Morning. James Blackwell (Petone) has been ruled out with a head knock. Vince Tavae-Aso (Marist St Pat's) is also on the bench. The final kicks off on Sky Sport at 6.23am on Sunday morning NZT.

The New Zealand team for the  final of the World Rugby U20 Championship against England in Cremona, Italy, on Sunday Morning has been selected. The final kicks off on Sky Sport at 6.23am on Sunday morning NZT. Read the team announcement by our good friends at New Zealand Rugby here

There are some changes to times and venues in the Women's grade and lower grades for club rugby tomorow. For the competitons that we run through this website please visit Draws & Results above. Or read here

Top points scorer in the Fleurs Trophy 142 (12 tries and 41 conversions) Georgia Daals brings up her 50 Cap for OBU vs Avalon at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Georgia has been a valuable and influential player since joining OBU in 2012 as a utility back, also representing Wellington in the Pride in both 15s and 7s. She was recently named in the regional sevens academy. 

Oriental-Rongotai’s Joanah Ngan-Woo plays her 50th game for her club on Saturday against HOBM at home at the Polo Ground. A hard-working, versatile forward, 19-year old Joanah Ngan-Woo has played variously at lock, flanker and No. 8 and has represented the Wellington Pride for the past two seasons.

Jerry Collins was farewelled in his hometown of Porirua today. Read More Here 

Wellington College went down 25-34 to unbeaten Crusaders region side Christchurch Boys' High School this afternoon, in Christchurch.  

Please visit the Photos section across the top of this page to view galleries of some club and college matches played over the weeekend. More photos by #MikeLewis coming today from games at the Petone Rec. Please send in your photo galleries for this section to editor@clubrugby.co.nz Not for now, but for the records in 5-10 years time.   

A nice story with Richard Watt (Poneke) on his time working as a rubbish collector with a young up and coming Jerry Collins. Following in the footsteps of 1960s All Black Tom Lister (Athletic), Collins would work the trucks to get fit and strong. Read more here

Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua will host this year's Wellington club rugby finals day on Saturday 1 August. The day will feature the Jubilee Cup, Hardham Cup and Women’s finals. Wellington Rugby chief executive James Te Puni said: “Porirua City and Northern United Rugby Club have great facilities for Rugby , and given we have just lost one of Porirua’s favourite Rugby sons it is appropriate that this year’s finals will be held at Jerry Collins’ home ground at Norths.” WRFU Community Rugby Manager Will Caccia-Birch also noted that Saturday had been voted on by clubs as the preferred day this year, and kick-off times for the finals would be consistent with those scheduled for these grades throughout the regular season. Schedule for Saturday August 1, Porirua Park: 1.00am / Victoria Tavern Trophy (Women’s Division 1 final), 1.15pm / Hardham Cup (Premier 2 final), 3.30pm / Jubilee Cup (Premier 1 final)

Wellington and Tawa midfielder Shaun Treeby plays his 50th match for the Highlanders tonight when he lines up against the Blues in Auckland in their final round-robin match of the year. Treeby will get to the chance to extend his appearances sheet in the playoffs, and could yet line up against the Hurricanes in the semi-final in Wellington. 

Former Northern United captain and All Black Jerry Collins is to be farewelled at a public funeral service in Porirua next week.Jerry's manager and Collins family spokesperson Tim Castle said Jerry's funeral service would be held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua at 10.00AM next Wednesday 17 June and members of the public were welcome to attend. Mr Castle said Jerry's body will be accompanied home to New Zealand over the next few days by a small group, including his cousin and fellow former All Black Tana Umaga and dear friends former All Black Chris Masoe and his wife Gemma and Stevenson Malotu'upule. Following the funeral service at Te Rauparaha Arena, Jerry will be buried in a ceremony for extended family and friends.

Petone's Sam McNichol is enoying his time at the Hurricanes and could make his Super Rugby debut off the bench in tomorrow night's match against the Chiefs. The NZ Herald plots his course back after off-season hip surgery here

Wainuiomata's Glen Angus runs out to play his 100th Premier match for Wainuiomata tomorrow against Marist St Pat's in the Jubilee Cup. Angus made his Premier debut at the start of 2008 and has played much of his career thus far as a lock. Latterly he has moved to blindside flanker and now No. 8, where he will play tomorrow. He has scored 19 Premier tries in his 99 matches.

Congratulations to Northern United and Wellington Pride utility back Vaine Marsters for reaching the milestone of 50 games for her club team. Marsters has been in the team since 2012 and has been a valuable asset to the backline and team. 

Tawa's Pati Gaualofa plays his 100th match for his club tomorrow when his side hosts Wellington at Lyndhurst Park. Gaualofa first played for Tawa in 2006 and went on to play for the Wellington Lions soon after. He was a key forward for much of the season in Tawa's all-conquering 2013 side that won the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup. 

The Hurricanes have been busy dropping full page advertisments in newspapers this morning. But here is some free advertising:

Hurricanes v TBC Investec Super Rugby semi-final, Westpac Stadium. Saturday 27 June at 7.35 pm. Tickets on sale at 9.00 am this morning. For more go here 

It is assumed that club rugby that day, and the day of the final, should they make it, will be brought forward a couple of hours. And/or played on Sunday. 

Bishop Viard College are the 2015 CCO Coed Cup winners, beating Tawa College 25-20 in an absorbing and hard-fought final tonight at Lyndhurst Park. Bishop Viard College will progress to the regional knockout stages at the end of the season. 

Visit the Photos link above to view some more galleries from the weekend's rugby in Wellington. Games include: HOBM v Petone (Jubilee Cup), Avalon v Petone B (Hardham Cup), Petone v Upper Hutt Rams (Colts), Norths v Wainuiomata (Women's) and Rogotai College v St Pat's Silverstream (First XV). Still to come: Ories v Avalon (Women's) and Scots College v St Pat's Silverstream (First XV). Please email photos, for the records and archives, to: editor@clubrugby.co.nz

The Hurricanes have finished top of the pile, qualifying for a home Super Rugby final, after beating the Highlanders 56-20 in Napier on Friday night. Read the official match report here

Clipping from the Dominion Post and great photo by Maarten Holl of Jerry playing for Norths. 

All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles has become the third player to commit long-term to New Zealand Rugby (NZR), with the front rower re-signing with the national union and his Investec Super Rugby team through to 2019.

The deal is further good news for New Zealand Rugby and follows last week's announcement that his Hurricanes' teammate Julian Savea and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick had signed four-year deals with NZR.

Francis Douglas Memorial College have falled short to St Bernard's College in Lower Hutt today (Wednesday).

The 20-19 score line was simply down to a late penalty kick by the home side in a disappointing last minute loss their second after Palmerston North Boys' High School scored on the stroke of full time in their traditional last month. 

Francis Douglas play Rathkeale College in the Central North Island competition on Saturday in Masterton. 

The Wellington XV defeated Wairarapa-Bush 53-3 in their pre-season Jimmy Cotter Memorial Cup match in Masterton tonight. The Wellington selection out-scored the home team 7 tries to nil, leading 24-3 at halftime. Scoring (unofficial): Max Pearson 2, Wes Goosen, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Vaea Fifita, Johnny Bentley, TBC 2 tries Jackson Garden-Bachop 3con; TBC 2 con.

There are several photo galleries from the weekend's club rugby in Wellington. Owing to internet connectivity issues at one work site and a firewall at another, preventing these being uploaded to the server, please visit our Facebook Page for now to view these. Photos will be uploaded to the website when we can. 

Jonathan Bentley went close to helping Hutt Old Boys Marist win silverware in 2006, before winning the jubilee Cup in 2007. He then flew the Nest for Japan and latterly England. It has been reported this morning that he is returning to Wellington to play for the Wellington Lions. It is likely he will also turn out for the Eagles in this year’s Jubilee Cup. Read more here 

The second round Premier Jubilee Cup, Premier 2 Hardham Cup and Senior 1 Ed Chaney Cup draws have been released. These will be added to the Draws & Results section of this website this week. In the meantime, view the draws here First round matches include:

Jubilee Cup
Tawa v Wainuiomata, Lyndhurst Park, 2.45pm
Petone v Hutt Old Boys Marist, Petone Rec, 2.45pm
Oriental-Rongotai v Marist St Pats, Polo Ground, 2.45pm
Wellington v Old Boys University, Hataitai Park, 2.45pm

Hardham Cup
Tawa v Upper Hutt Rams, Lyndhurst Park, 1.00pm
Petone v Avalon Wolves, Petone Rec, 1.00pm
Johnsonville v Northern United, Helston Park, 2.45pm
Paremata-Plimmerton v Poneke, Ngati Toa Domain, 2.45pm

A Wellington XV squad has been named to play Wairarapa Bush on Tuesday 2 June in Masterton for the Jimmy Cotter Memorial Shield. FORWARDS: James O'Reilly (HOBM), Hunter Prescott (Ories), Whetu Henry (Ories), Atilla Va'a (WoA), Vince Sakaria (MSP), Joe Apikatoa (HOBM), Nemani Waaka (MSP), Liam Hallam-Eames (Ories), Vaea Fifita (Wn), Murphy Taramai (UHR), Pau Halafihi (Ories), Issac O'Connor (MSP), Greg Foe (Pk) BACKS: Adam Deck (Wn), Frae Wilson (WoA), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths), Wes Goosen (OBU), Tu Umaga-Marshall (Tawa), Isaiah Petelo (MSP), Marvin Karawana (WoA), Max Pearson (UHR), Andrew Ellis (Ories), Sam McNicol (Ories), Tau Mamea (WoA) COACHES: TBA

• What: St Patrick's College, Wellington v Wellington College 
• Where: Evans Bay Park
• When: 1.30 pm this afternoon
• For: The Centennial Shield and WelTec Premiership round 2 points 
• Coverage: Match report, photos later today, tomorrow. Follow the competiton here 

Julian "the Bus" Savea has today re-signed with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2019, joining a number of Hurricanes’ backline players who have already re-signed.
 Following his 2011 debut against the Highlanders in Wellington, Savea has gone on to play 67 matches for the Hurricanes. He has accumulated 145 points in the process, making him one of the club’s most prolific try-scorers of recent times.

The first stage of College Rugby is now online at www.collegerugby.co.nz or by going here
For now, this is a Draws & Results website, covering the Wellington WelTec First XV Premiership competition, as well as the Auckland, Super 8, Central North Island and Mainland First XV competitions. 

The WRFU Appeals Committee comprising Chairman Richard Laurenson, and Board of Directors Iain Potter and John Willis have released their decision in the respect of the appeal lodged by Tawa Rugby Football Club (Tawa) relating to the original decision to remove two (2) competition points from Tawa, and award two (2) competition points to Old Boys University. The Appeals Committee have confirmed the appeal is dismissed. The decision of the Hearings Committee of the Rugby Board stands. This decision confirms Hutt Old Boys Marist as the winner of the Swindale Shield, and Tawa the winner of the Harper Lock Shield. These two Shields will be presented to Hutt Old Boys Marist and Tawa this Saturday.

New galleries can be viewed in the photo menu above of the following games:

• Premier: Hutt Old Boys Marist (28) v Tawa (22) Two galleries
• Premier: Oriental-Rongotai (43) v Avalon (20)
• Premier: Old Boys University (79) v Paremata-Plimmerton (10) Coming soon - as seen on Facebook
• Premier Reserve: Hutt Old Boys Marist (6) v Tawa (24)
• Colts: Upper Hutt Rams (21) v Wellington (17)

Three sixth round women's matches were played on Friday night. Norths beat Johnsonville 92-0 with Jamie McInstosh scoring 28 points, Old Boys University beat HOBM 45-17 with Georgia Daals scoring 25 points and Avalon defeated Poneke 58-0. The fourth match of the round was decided over the telephone yesterday, with Tawa defaulting to Ories. Congrulations to Lisa Karaka for playing her 50th match for Norths last night.

Eastbourne, Marist St Pats, Oriental-Rongotai, Poneke, and the Upper Hutt Rams are all holding their Old Timers' Days tomorrow. All former and current supporters and players are welcome. A feature of MSP's Past and Present Players' Day is a reunion of the 1995 Premier team that took out the Swindale Shield-Jubilee Cup double.

In two friendly First XV matches played on Wednesday, Wellington’s St Pat’s Silverstream lost 20-33 to New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Hutt International Boys’ School missed out 14-52 to Rathkeale College.

Hutt International Boys' School captain Ben Power is busy preparing for this season's First XV season, starting with his team's season opener against Wellington College on Saturday. College Sport Media?caught up with him ahead of the seaosn about his rugby ad his track and field career?

UPDATE: St Pat's Town won this fixture 76-3 (halftime 29-3). St Pat's won the U15 match 53-5. St Patrick's College, Wellington, defends the Hibernian Cup against St John's College, Hastings, at Evans Bay Park at 12.00pm Wednesday. The Hibernian Cup was previously played for as part of a competiton between maris schools, but it is now a Challenge Cup. This is the first Traditional of the year for St Pat's an a warm-up for their Wellington competition and season opening Moasacar Cup challenge game against Scots College on Saturday.?

The 2015?WelTec 1stXV Premiership?commences this Saturday, Visit the competition schedule on the Draws & Results menu across the top of this page.?

Congratulations to OBU Impalas hooker Luana Tafeamaalii, who's 50th game for OBU is marked with this weeks game against Wainuiomata at the Petone Rec. Lu joined OBU in the 2011 season and has been a regular and valuable player since then making an impact on and off the field.

Norths Celebrated Brenda Collins' 100th game for the club with a win and her bagging two tries today in Norths' 36-6 win over Ories in a key Fleurs Trophy match. Norths coach Matt Poutoa said:?"Brenda is an important part of our team, making sure our standards are kept high. A valuable member of the team.?She has represented Wellington in both 7s and 15s over the years as well as Manu Sina 7s and 15s more recently.?"She hasn't played a full season in three years, otherwise she wouldve reached the century a while back".?Brenda played only part of the 2013 season before playing for the kiwi ferns in the league world cup. She also missed the back end of last year (along with Black Fern Sanita Levave and sister Helen Collins) before going to the rugby world cup representing Samoa in France. Her brother is 48-Test All Black Jerry.?

Owing to inclement weather and the threat of more to come, there are a number of changes to this week's Wellington club rugby draw. The WRFU has advised early afternoon that the Colts, U85kg, Reserve Grade and President's Grade matches are all cancelled tomorrow. The amended draw for other grades, can be viewed by visiting Draws & Results accross the top of this page.

Unfortunately a decision has been made to cancel the Wellington round of the 1st XV Festival.?Noting that many teams are leaving to travel to Wellington tomorrow, organisers can’t provide any guarantee that roads will be cleared, let alone fields for us to play on.?Most rugby grounds in Wellington are currently experiencing flooding and would require at least two days with no rain before it would be cleared to play. With more rain predicated over the following two days grounds are expected to get worse!?It is a disappointing way to end the Festival, however the weather is an uncontrollable factor.?

The two College Sport Co-ed Cup semi-finals are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, with Bishop Viard and Upper Hutt Colleges the home sides against Aotea College and Tawa College respectively. Both matches are 3.45pm kickoffs. UPDATE: Bishop Viard College beat Aotea College 17-13 and Tawa College defeated Upper Hutt College 23-7. Bishop Viard v Tawa final - TBC.?

Two Wellington players have been selected for the New Zealand U20s squad to contest the World Rugby Junior Championship in Italy in June. James Blackwell (Petone) and Henry Stowers (Wainuiomata) both return from recent injury to the squad. Leni Apisai (Northern United) was ruled out through injury, along with previously sidelined candidate Morgan Poi (OBU). Other OBU players Teariki Ben Nicholas, Wes Goosen and Luke Campbell have missed selection for this team.

New photo galleries can be viewed by visiting Photos above:

Swindale Shield:
Norths v Upper Hutt Rams
Petone v Paremata-Plimmerton
Hutt Old Boys Marist v Johnsonville (x2)

Colts:
Norths v Upper Hutt Rams

Scots College was the most flamboyant First XV in New Zealand in 2014. They hardly kicked the ball and adopted a 'run it from anywhere' attitude that yielded 116 tries in 21 games. To successfully play such an audacious style of rugby requires honest forwards and lock Henry Mexted is the epitomy of that. Mexted's lineout prowess and graft was a key part of Scots triumphs last year. It earned him selection for the Wellington Under-18's. They were unbeaten in their representative fixtures.?Read more here

Results from Saturday's WelTec Premier First XV Grading games yesterday (round two of three): Rongotai College 48 - Hutt Valley High School 14; Kapiti College 32 - Taita College 20; St Bernard's College 43 - Paraparaumu College 30; Wairarapa College 34 - Bishop Viard College 25; Hutt International 24 - Wainuiomata College 21; Mana College 31 -St Bernard's 2nds 14; Onslow College 69 -Tawa 2nds 0; Porirua College 27 - Upper Hutt College 5, Tawa College 50 - Newlands College 0

This Saturday, Paremata-Plimmerton RFC and the Petone RFC play for the inaugural??Ken Gray Cup when they meet in the Swindale Shield at Ngatitoa Domain, kick-off 2.30 pm. The Gray family have given their blessing for this Cup to be contested in Ken’s name. Former Wellington second XV player Gray made the Wellington Bs out of the Paremata clubs before moving to Petone for higher honours. Gray went on to captain Wellington for several seasons, notably to wins over South Africa in 1965 and the British Lion in 1966 and played 50 matches and 24 Tests for the ALl Blacks between 1963-69.

Kat Whata-Kimpkins (Avalon) has been selected in the New Zealand Women's Sevens team for the upcoming London (15-16 May and Amsterdam (22-23 May) tournaments. New Zealand has won all four of the six rounds played so far in the competition (Dubai, Brazil, USA and Canada) and lead the points table on 80, followed by Canada on 58, and Australia on 56.

A recent complaint from Old Boys University in their Swindale Shield fifth round match against Tawa (won 35-29 by Tawa) focused on the issue of the match going to uncontested scrums, and OBU’s belief that this shouldn’t have happened under law. The WRFU committee upheld OBU's complaint and found that Tawa had breached WRFU By-Law 4.4 (Number and Qualification of Players and Replacements) and IRB Law 3.5n (The front row - replacements and substitutions). Subsequently, the Committee has removed two (2) competition points from Tawa, and awarded two (2) competition points to OBU. Tawa are now on 30 points (previously 32) and OBU 16 (previously 14). Both clubs have the right to appeal this decision.

Jared Kahu, pictured here shaking hands with HOBM captain James O'Reilly following the recent McBain Shield match, plays his 100th match for the Petone Premiers on Saturday when they play Paremata-Plimmerton for the inaugural Ken Gray Cup. Kahu made his Petone Premier debut in 2007 and has played variously at fullback, centre, first five-eighth and halfback where he has started every match so far this year.?

Visit Photos across the top of this page to view galleries from the weekend of the following matches:

Swindale Shield
Northern United v Johnsonville
Avalon v Wellington

Harper Lock Shield
Avalon v Wellington

Paris Memorial Trophy Colts
Northern United v Johnsonville

Still to come: Upper Hutt Rams v Wainuiomata

Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai) has re-signed with the Hurricanes through to the end of 2017.?Proctor said he was excited by the opportunity to stay at the club for another two years.“The team’s heading in a really good direction and I’m looking forward to contributing wherever I can to help us achieve the goals we set out to achieve at the start of each season,” he said.“This year has been awesome so far, and I’m enjoying the challenge of taking each chance I’m given and making it count. We’ve got some great talent here at the Hurricanes and I think that is only going to help me continue to grow as a player.”

Old Boys Univeristy trio, halfback Luke Campbell, No. 8 Teariki Ben Nicholas and right wing Wes Goosen have been selected in the starting XV for the New Zealand U20s in tomorrow's Ocenaia Junior Championship match against Samoa. Kick-off on the Gold Coast is 3.00 pm (NZT).?

The Hurricanes are still top dog in this year's Super Rugby competition, after beating the Crusaders 29-23 at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night. Read the official match report here?

Three third round Fleurs Trophy Women's competition matches were played on Friday night. Ories beat Poneke 76-0, Norths defeated Tawa 96-0 and Hutt Old Boys Marist beat Johnsonville 104-0. The fourth match between Avalon and Wainuiomata was postponed to an as yet unnamed date.

Please email any details of this match to editor@clubrugby.co.nz. Any news of this match seems to be a secret online this morning! UPDATE: The Chiefs Development XV ran out 37-15 winners (17-15 at halftime).?

Interclub Trophies for tomorrow include:

Swindale Shield

• Peter Jones/Dave Ritchie Cup – Upper Hutt Rams (holders) v Wainuiomata
• Barlow Trophy – Northern United (holders) v Johnsonville
• F.J Tilyard Memorial Shield – Petone (holders) v Poneke
• Wood Cup – Old Boys University v Hutt Old Boys Marist (holders)

Fleurs Trophy

• Challenge Cup – Ories v Poneke

Wellingtion trio Leni Apisai (Northern United), Teariki Ben Nicholas (Old Boys University) and Luke Campbell (Old Boys University) have been selected in he first NZ U20s squad of the year, to face Japan today as part of the Oceania U20 Championship. New Zealand also plays Samoa next Tuesday and Australia next Saturday. Meanwhile, Chase Tiatia (HOBM) lines up at fullback for Samoa against Australia.?

Prince Harry is set to attend the upcoming Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium on 2 May between the Hurricanes and the Sharks, it was announced today.?

The Hurricanes Development Typhoons side plays the Chiefs Development on Thursday night to mark the opening of Trust House Memorial Park’s $2.1million artificial turf in Masterton. It is thought to be the first professional rugby match to be played on artificial turf, in New Zealand. This match will also mark the end of the Hurricanes Development, the Typhoons having lost to the Crusader Knights in their first match, then beating the Chiefs and Blues more recently.

Two First XV Wellington Co-ed Cup matches were played on Wednesday afernoon. Aotea College beat Porirua College 22-14 and Tawa defeated Newlands College 99-0.?

The following players with current or recent connections to Wellington club rugby have made Samoa's 55-man initial training squad for the 2015 international season:
Anthony Perenise (Northern United), Kane Thompson (Wests Roosters), Faifilli Levave (Northern United), Jack Lam (Oriental-Rongotai), Jack Taulapapa (Johnsonville), Alapati Leiua (Northern United), Reynold Lee Lo (Marist St Pat's), Sinoti Sinoti (Northern United)

New galleries can be viewed in the Photos section across the top of this page from the following games:

Premier Swindale Shield:

• Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai
• Hutt Old Boys Marist v Marist St Pat’s
• Northern United v Paremata-Plimmerton
• Wainuiomata v Petone

Premier Reserve Harper Lock Shield:

• Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai?
• Hutt Old Boys Marist v Marist St Pat’s

Read the match reports from all seven Swindale Shield sixth round matches, courtesy of the Dominion Post,?here?

Congratulations to Old Boys University halfback and Wellington U19 halfback Luke Campbell for his late call-up to the Wellington U20s side. Campbell joined the Junior All Blacks squad in Auckland as an injury replacement as they head to Australia to play a pre-Junior World Cup tournament.?

Congratulations to Petone loose forward?Mateaki Kafatolu for reaching the milestone of 100 Premier matches for Petone tomorrow. Kafatolu made his Premier debut for Petone in 2008 and won the Billy Wallace Best & Fairest competition in 2009, the year he won the Swindale Shield with Petone.?

The New Zealand Universities side have arrived in Japan determined to fly the flag and uphold the best traditions of scarfie rugby.?The NZU flew out late on Wednesday night after a meet and greet assembly in Auckland. Read the New Zealand Herald article?here

The Old Boys University Rugby Club could be playing their last games on the Basin Reserve ths winter, if another sport has its way. For more?read here

All Black no.731 and former captain Andy Leslie was elected a Life Member at the NZRU AGM today. Chairman Brent Impey said Leslie had made a significant contribution to rugby over many years. He had served as a Vice President and President of NZRU, was a founding member and trustee of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and in 2001 was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby. Leslie is also a Life Member of Wellington RFU, Centurions RFC, and Petone RFC

The first round of the Coed Cup Wellington qualifying series was played tonight. Results were:

• Newlands College 22 - Hutt Valley High School 7
• Upper Hutt College 41 - Mana College 5
• Bishop Viard College 41 - Naenae College 17
• Aotea College 53 - Taita College 14
• Tawa College 17 - Wainuiomata College 17 (Tawa progress as they scored the first try)
• Porirua College - BYE

2014 Wellington club rugby top try scorer and Hutt Old Boys Marist player?Chase Tiatia's move to the Bay of Plenty Steamers has been confirmed. Meanwhile, Wainuiomata lock/flanker Shahn Eru is also joining Bay of Plenty. Eru has been playing in Italy in the off-season. For more read here?

There have been changes to the structure of the Colts club rugby competition, with the Division 1 and 2 grades merged into one for the?Paris Memorial Trophy. For more visit Draws & Results above and navigate on the side to the Paris Memorial Trophy competition.?

Petone's Sam McNicol has been called up as injury cover for the rest of the season to replace Jason Woodward who broke his ankle on Saturday when he was caught between two defenders while playing at centre for the Upper Hutt Rams against Oriental Rongotai at the Polo Ground.?Read more here

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Visit Photos in the menu item above to view photos from the weekend’s following games:

Swindale Shield

• Northern United v Wellington
• Hutt Old Boys Marist v Petone (McBain Shield)
• Marist St Pat’s v Wainuiomata

Colts

• Poneke v Old Boys University Green

Also: Wellington College v Feilding HS here ; St Pat’s Silverstream v St Kent’s coming soon; Hurricanes v Waratahs coming soon

Jeremy Thrush is living proof that good things come to those who wait. The big lock may have mellowed over the years, but his passion for the Hurricanes hasn't changed ahead of his 100th match for the club. Read more?

Congratulations to Hutt Old Boys Lock Jeremy Thrush for playing his 100th match for the Hurricanes today. Read the?official?match report here?

Next Wednesday’s planned Rongotai College Old Boys’ Association dinner to celebrate the college’s contribution to Wellington Rugby has been postponed until later in the year. For more information please email info@ories.org.nz or phone 04 4934 2958.?

Interclub Trophies being contested on Saturday 18 April in Wellington club rugby include:?

Swindale Shield
McBain Shield: HOBM v Petone (holders)
Bill Brien Challenge Cup: HOBM (holders) v Petone
Bob Lendrum Cup: Ories v Upper Hutt Rams (holders)

Thompson Memorial First Grade
Patterson Memorial Trophy: Stokes Valley v HOBM (holders)

Women’s Fleurs Trophy
Challenge Cup: Ories (holders) v Wainuiomata

JC Bowl U85kg Restricted
Centurions RFU challenge Cup MSP Reds (holders) v Kapiti Colts

Updated: The First XVs of Wellington’s two St Patrick’s colleges, St Pat’s Town and St Pat’s Silverstream, are hosting pre-season First XV matches this Saturday. St Pat’s Silverstream entertain Auckland’s St Kentigern College (kick-off 11.00 am) and St. Pat’s Town will be playing for the Father Kane Challenge Cup against Christchurch’s St Bede’s College (kick-off 2.00 pm). Wellington College also hosts Feilding High School (kick-off 10.30 am).

Congratulations to Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Old Boys Marist) for being selected in the Hurricanes this Saturday against the Warartahs to play his 100th Super Rugby match.?

The Hurricanes Development side has beaten the Blues Development team 35-30 in Taupo this afternoon. The Typoons scored five tries in the win, with local players Vaea Fifita (Wellington, 2 tries) and Jason Woodward Upper Hutt Rams, 1 try, 2 pens and 2 cons) getting on the scoresheet. The Hurricanes play the Chiefs Development in their next match in Masterton on 30 April.

Select the Photos menu across the top of this page to view photos of the following matches on Saturday:

• Petone v Marist St Pat's (Colts)
• Petone v Marist St Pat's (Premier)
• Norths v Poneke (Premier)
• Tawa v Avalon (Premier)
• Upper Hutt Rams v Hutt Old Boys Marist (Premier)

It's taken 20 seasons for professional rugby to impact directly on to club and community rugby. The Hurricanes v Waratahs Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium this Saturday at 4.30 pm has deliberately and needlessly encroached upon club rugby. As such, kick-off times for Premier Reserve and Premier Swindale Shield matches, including the famous McBain Shield fixture, have been brought forward to 12.15 pm and 2.00 pm respectively. Draws on this website will be amended accordingly.

To view video highlights an exciting match between Marist St Pat's and Petone from yesterday's fourth round set of Swindale Shield fixtures in Wellington?go here?

Paremata-Plimmerton and Tawa are holding their Old Timers’ Days on Saturday 11 April at Ngatitoa Domain and Lyndhurst Park respectively. All past and present players, supporters or people looking for a good time on Saturday are welcome.

There are two interclub trophies plus the challenge Bill Brien Cup on the line in Swindale Shield matches tomorrow: ?

• Bill Elvy Memorial Trophy: Petone v Marist St Pat’s (holders)
• Cyril Collett Memorial Shield: Northern United (holders) v Poneke
• Bill Brien Challenge Cup: Upper Hutt Rams (holders) v Hutt Old Boys Marist

This week's heavy rain has forced some transfers to club rugby on 11 April. The Premier Swindale Shield remains unchanged but most other grades are affected. See Draws & Results above for more.

To view the weather forecast for Saturday afternoon in Wellington?go here?

Club Rugby contributor Adam Julian has been doing an excellent series of profile articles with former All Blacks. He writes: "I have been writing these profiles and wanted to do one on GC Williams, but given he is struggling with memory loss and given he is a dead set legend I was hoping you could spread word among your contacts for stories about GC Williams. I am after the best and most memorable Williams rugby stories. Please email them to adamcollegerugby@gmail.com and we can look at writing a tribute. Poetic licence is of course allowed."

Saturday April 11th kicks off an exciting season for Stokes Valley's rugby and netball team and the club invites everyone to re-launch SVRFC for 2015.

EVENT: Launch Night
DATE & TIME: 7pm to 11:30pm
WHERE: SVRFC Clubrooms
ENTRY: FREE plus supper provided.
ENTERTAINMENT: Sweet Soundz

For more visit and like the Stokes Valley RFC on Facebook?

The WRFU has today released the Women's and lower grade club rugby draws for the first round.

These can be?viewed here

These competiitons and available draws will be set up in the Draws & Results section of this website in the coming days.?

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Visit photos Above to view several new photo galleries of Wellington club rugby on Saturday, these being:

• Swindale Shield: Petone v Norths (x2), Hutt Old Boys Marist v Avalon (x2), Oriental-Rongotai v Old Boys University, Marist St Pat's v Poneke
• Harper Lock Shield: Oriental Rongotai v Old Boys University, Poneke v Marist St. Pat's

Today in History in Wellington club rugby:?
1963: The first round of matches see the previous year’s joint champions Marist Brothers Old Boys and Onslow held to tight winning margins by two “bottom six” sides from 1962 - Wellington and Poneke. Marist beats Wellington 19-16 after trailing 6-11 at halftime and Onslow defeats Poneke 11-6 after being behind 0-6 at the break. This sets the tone for a tight season, in which Marist claims the Jubilee Cup outright on the last afternoon at Athletic Park.
1990: New club Northern United grabs a famous 21-14 win over Petone. Led by captain and hooker Hika Reid, Norths hold on to lead the defending champions 10-6 at halftime with the wind. After halftime first five-eighth Ken Kakahi slams a dropped goal and Billy Parsons grabs an intercept try under the bar to seal victory.

The Hurricanes won the battle of the weather systems, beating the Stormers 25-20 at Westpac Stadium on Friday night. Read the official match report here?The next home game for Wellington's rugby supporters and players to attend is against the Crusaders on 2 May. The Hurricanes have a well-earned bye next weekend, followed by a match on Saturday 18 April that clashes with club rugby and then a Sunday evening fixture against the Reds on 26 April.?

There are three interclub trophies contested in the third round of the Swindale Shield tomorrow, these being:

• Murray & Alan Mexted Cup: Wellington v Tawa (holders)
• Horan-Millar Trophy: Poneke v Marist St Pat’s (holders)
• Billy Herbert Memorial Trophy: Avalon (holders, Senior 1 in 2014) v HOBM

The latest artificial turf in Wellington on the Hutt Recreation Ground is coming along nicely, as the Hutt Old Boys Marist club?reports

The OBU Bunnies and Avalon are the first two teams to open the 2015 U85kg Restricted grade in Wellington this year, when they meet at Te Whaea on Wednesday night in a grading fixture. There are seven more grading games on Saturday. Details to come.

Three current and two former Old Boys University players have been selected as part of a 25-strong NZ Universities team that tours Japan later in April. The team plays a Japan East XV in Osaka and two games against against Kanto selections in Tokyo. The team contains many familiar players with ITM Cup, NZ U20 and NZ Schools experience. Current OBU players in the squad are Te Wehi Wright, James Waddel, and Ian Kennedy and former OBU players are,James Oliver (now Manawatu), and Kurt Davies (now Canterbury). For more?go here

Otane's?Kelly Graham runs out this coming Saturday for a Town-Country grade game against neighbours Central in Hawke's Bay club rugby for his 400th consecutive game for the team since 1992. This is believed to be a New Zealand record and to add extra significance to the feat his 18-year-old son Jaharlym, a lock-loosie, will be playing alongside him Read more here

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There are four new photo galleries to view in the Photos section above this page, these being:

• Super Rugby: Hurricanes v Rebels
• Swindale Shield: Marist St. Pat's v Johnsonville
• Swindale Shield: Northern United v Hutt Old Boys Marist
• Swindale Shield: Johnsonville v Wellington

Match reports of all seven Swindale Shield second round fixtures by the Dominion Post can be?read here

Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara (Northern United) flew through to score the Hurricanes' only try of the first half as the Hurricanes trailed the Rebels 10-12 at halftime on Friday night. But four further tries, including one to Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) and 11 points off the kicking overall to Jason Woodward (Upper Hutt Rams) saw them home 36-12. Official Hurricanes match report?here

Today in History returning soon in its own space on this home page. In the meantime, here are three events that occured today, 28 March, in Wellington club rugby:
1992: Defending Jubilee Cup champions Hutt Old Boys are set on their heels in the first match of the new season; going down 48-7 to MSP, halfback Elton Montcrieff scoring 24 points. Last year’s Cup runners-up Wellington lose to Poneke 15-9. Harlequins (now OBU), a merger of WCOB and University, make their Premier debut and beat Tawa 25-7.
1998: Upper Hutt open the new season with a 23-12 win over defending champions MSP. Upper Hutt score two intercept tries, first to wing Toetu Palemo after a break by No. 8 and captain Mike Robinson and the other to Robinson himself after an intercept and 60 metre run.
2009: The opening day of the 2009 season sizzles, as Petone and Poneke both impress with bonus point wins on a hot Gala Day held at Porirua and Trentham Memorial Parks. Petone lay down their title credentials with an 86-9 win over Avalon at Porirua and Poneke oust Northern United 34-19 at Trentham. Petone score 13 tries, including four to wing Fraser Middleton, while new representative players Daniel Ramsay and Charlie Ngatai star for Poneke.?

Congratulations to Wellington Lions outside back Tau Mamea for playing his 100th Premier match today for Wainuiomata. Mamea scored the game's first try in his side's 44-5 win over Paremata-Plimmerton at Mary Crowther Park.?

Interclub Trophies on the line in Round Two tomorrow include:

• The Mick Kenny Memorial Cup: Johnsonville v Wellington (holders)
• The Beet Algar Rosebowl: Old Boys-University (holders) v Poneke
• The Connolly Cup: Upper Hutt Rams v Petone (holders)
• The Joe Aspell Cup: Marist St Pat's v Avalon (Holders - Harper Lock Shield last year)
• The Bill Brien Challenge Cup: Upper Hutt Rams (holders) v Petone

The 2015 Hurricanes region pre-season First XV has been confirmed. The Transit Coachlines series will run over three weekends in May, with a round each in Napier, Palmerston and Wellington. The draw is:

• 2 May (Napier Boys’ High School): Palmerston North BHS v Feilding HS; Gisborne BHS v St Pat’s Wellington; Napier BHS v Wellington College; Hastings Boys’ HS v St Pat’s Silverstream
• 9May (Massey University): Feilding HS v Hastings BHS; Palmerston North BHS v Wellington College; Gisborne BHS v St Pat’s Silverstream; St Pat’s Wellington v Napier BHS
• 16 May: (Petone Rec): St Pat’s Wellington v Palmerston North BHS; St Pat’s Silverstream v Napier BHS; Wellington College v Gisborne BHS; Scots College v Hastings BHS

Several photo galleries from Saturday's Gala Day Wellington club rugby season opener at Trentham Memorial Park are now loaded. To view please visit Photos across the top of this page and select 2015 Swindale Shield.?

Match reports from each of the seven opening round Swindale Shield matches in the Dominion Post are here?

Video highlights of the opening round Swindale Shield match between Marist St Pat's and Johnsonville by Holden Brothers Media can be viewed here?

The first round Swindale Shield teams are now available to be viewed on the Draws & Results page (link above in navigation menu) above.?

Ambrose Curtis (Oriental-Rongotai) has been included in the All Black Sevens squad for the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Sevens in Hong Kong (27-29 March) and Tokyo (4-5 April).?

Tomasi Alosio (Hutt Old Boys Marist) has been selected in the Samaon Sevens team for the next two legs of the HSBC World Sevens series in Hong Kong (27-29 March) and Tokyo (4-5 April).

The Hurricanes Development side defeated the Chiefs 29-18 in Te Kuiti this afternoon. Hooker Leni Apisai, flanker Iopu Iopu-Aso, and backs Vince Aso and Nathan Trudeu all broke through to score tries, while Jason Woodward kicked the rest of the points.

The Hurricanes Development Typhoons side meets the Chiefs Development squad in Te Kuiti tomorrow afternoon. The Hurricanes team is: 1 Morgan Poi, 2 Leni Apisai, 3 Jeffrey To’omaga-Allen, 4 Geoffrey Cridge, 5 Tom Parsons , 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 7 Adam Hill, 8 Iopu Iopu, 9 Frae Wilson. 10 Otere Black. 11 Nathan Tudreu. 12 Willis Halaholo . 13 Ope Peleseuma. 14 Vince Aso. 15 Jason Woodward. 16 James O'Reilly. 17 Mike Kainga. 18 Tim Cadwallader. 19 James Blackwell. 20 Tony Lamborn. 21 Jamie Booth. 22 Wes Goosen. 23 Kris Palmer

Updated: Auckland Marist have won the 2015 NZ Marist pre-season Spillane tournament, beating Hutt Old Boys Marist teams in both the Premier and Colts finals in the tournament played at Napier. Defending champions Auckland Marist retained their Colts title, beating the HOBM Junior Eagles 67-7 to win the Brennan Cup, while Auckland tipped over recent five-time champions HOBM 17-11 in the Premier Spillane Cup final. Marist St Pat's finished third with a 34-26 win over Hastings Rugby and Sports.

Defending champions Hutt Old Boys Marist will meet Auckland Marist in the final of the Spillane Cup in Napier on Sunday. Day one results in the division 1 draw saw HOBM defeat Hastings Rugby and Sports 55-27 and Auckland Marist down Wellington's Marist St Pat's 37-18. In one Brennan Cup Colts result to hand, HOBM defeated Hamilton Marist 25-12.

The following pre-season rugby is being played around Wellington this weekend: Petone v Wainuiomata Premier Reserves at North Park, Friday 7.00 pmOBU Premier and OBU Premier Reserves v Mystery team A and B, Ian Galloway Park, 1.10 pm and 2.45 pm; Saturday; Tawa Premier and Premier Reserve v Wellington Axemen Premier and Premier Reserve, Lyndhurst Park, 1,30 pm and 2.45 pm Saturday; HOBM v Johnsonville v Norths Premier Reserves, Porirua 3 Saturday afternoon; Avalon U85kg v Wainuiomata U85kg, Fraser Park, 1.00 pm Saturday; Ories Colts v Norths Colts, Porirua 4, 11.45 am Saturday; Poneke Colts v RC First XV, Rongotai College at 10.00 am Saturday; Tawa Colts v Wellington FC Colts, Lyndhurst Park at 12.00 pm Saturday; WoA Colts v OBU Green Colts at Mary Crowther at 1.00 pm Saturday; St Bernard's First XV v Tawa College First XV at North Park 2.00 pm Saturday; OBU Women v HOBM Women at Ian Galloway Park 11.30 am Saturday

Club Rugby's Extra Time Videos in association with Holden Brothers Media are on hold for 2015, due to current circumstances. HBM media are still doing Marist St Pat's highlights videos so these will be covered this year. In the meantime, Club Rugby has a You Tube box on this page so if anyone is interested in contributing with club rugby and college rugby video content please email editor@clubrugby.co.nz?

Tawa Jubilee Cup winner and Wellington Lions prop Tolu Fahamokioa has signed a two-year deal with Hawke's Bay.?Read more here

• Upper Hutt Rams Premiers v Army Garrison XV at Davis Field, 6.30 pm Thursday
• Northern United v Marist St Pat’s Premiers, Porirua 3, 1.00 pm Saturday
• Rongotai First XV v St Bernard’s First XV, Rongotai College, 10.00 am Saturday
• Oriental-Rongotai Premiers v Petone Premiers, Rongotai College, 12.30 pm Saturday
• Tawa Premier/Premier Reserve v Palmerston North Marist Premier/Premier Reserve, 1.15 pm and 3.00 pm at Lyndhurst Park
• Wainuiomata Premier Reserve v HOBM Premier Reserve, 1.30 pm at Mary Crowther Park

Regular Club Rugby?photographic contributor Mike Lewis was at the annual McEvedy Shield athletics event on Tuesday. Wellington College won it, ending St Pat's Town's three-year grip, with St Pat's Silverstream and Rongtai College also competing. A number of local rugby players were competing.?Mike's photos are here

At the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association AGM last week Ross Ewart was conferred Life Membership of the Association. Ross started refereeing in 1980 and retired in 2005; and since 1998 he has been heavily involved in coaching referees, most recently those in their first and second seasons. Clubrugby congratulates Ross on this honour.

The Hurricanes Typhoons and the Crusaders Knights Development teams square off at Porirua Park north of Wellington this coming Thurdsay afternoon. The Knights are expected to travel north with several big name players, including Kieran Read and Sam Whiteclock who are returning from injury. Both the Hurricanes and the Crusaders have byes this coming weekend in Super Rugby.

The annual Chiang Mai Tigers Rugby Club in Thailand is expanding to 16 men’s and eight women’s teams. . In past years teams from New Zealand, Australia, Siberia and Moscow have played in the tournament. This year tournament organisers are hoping to attract eight non Thai teams and eight (or more) Thai teams to the tournament on 21 and 22 November 2015. For more information please visit their website: http://www.chiangmaitigers.com/rugby-tens/

Congratulations to Ben O'Keeffe, who controlled last year's Jubilee Cup final between Wainuiomata and Hutt Old Boys Marist, has been promoted to the SANZAR referee squad for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

Former Old Boys University players Jimmy Gopperth and TJ Ioane are making moves overseas. First five-eighth Gopperth, who also played club rugby for Petone and was twice the English Premiership’s top scorer whilst playing for Newcastle, is moving from his current home at Leinster to London Wasps to join Northern United’s Alapati Leiua and Ioane is moving from his Otago base to Sale on a short-term contract. Ioane hopes to cement his place in Sale’s set-up and earn a longer term contract.?

Forty six U17 players and their parents from their eight member Provincial Unions?descended on Wellington on Sunday for their annual educational Development Camp.? The regional representation of players in attendance on the day, was as follows: ?East Coast, 1; Poverty Bay, 9; Wairarapa-Bush, 3; Horowhenua-Kapiti, 1; Manawatu, 4; Wellington 13; Wanganui, 4; and Hawkes Bay, 9. The programme?which focused on mental, physical and skills development,?was professionally prepared and managed by Darren Larsen and Chris Stirling.

A possible Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders in Fiji on 29 May is on the cards next season. The game, a Crusaders home match, has to be moved out of Christchurch owing to a football tournament. Timaru and Nelson are two options as the venue, but media reports have it going to Suva’s 20,000 seat National Stadium. Watch this space

Tauasosi Tuimavave (Poneke) has today been named in Southland’s Sevens squad, to prepare for the South Island Regional qualifiers on 13 December and then the National 7s in the New Year.

Bay of Plenty Rugby has announced Clayton McMillan as the Union's new Head Coach and Director of Rugby. Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO Mike Rogers said: Following a long representative playing career where he captained BoP and played over 100 games as well as playing professionally in Japan, McMillan has built an extensive coaching CV at club and representative level in the Bay of Plenty and Wellington. He coached Marist St Pat's to their most recent Jubilee Cup title in 2012, while his most recent success was leading the Wellington Under 19s to win the title at the National Under 19 tournament.

Wainuiomata halfback Piri Weepu's London Welsh side faces a key cross-town derby against Harlequins this weekend in English Premiership rugby, while Northern United's Alapati Leiua's London Wasps side takes on Sale on Sunday. Leiua typically downplayed his eye-catching performance in Wasps' bonus point over Newscastle last start: "We have a lot of ability out wide so most of what I do is about getting the ball to those guys." More here

The first leg of the International Schools Series is at Porirua Park tomorrow, featuring the best school First XV players in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, including several local players. Games are: New Zealand Barbarians Schools v Australia Schools (Kick-off 1.10 pm) and New Zealand Schools v Fiji Schools (Kick-off 2.50 pm).

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Bishop Viard College defended their Derek Wootton Memorial Trust Sevens title yesterday. The tournament, involving college teams from Western Bays schools, is in memory of Derek Wootton who was a Porirua Police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2008. There was also a pre-season college Sevens tournament at Wakefield Park yesterday, in the lead-up to the Condor Sevens qualifying leg on Labour Day Monday.

Kat Simpkins (Avalon) has been selected in the New Zealand Women's Sevens team to play in next weekend's Oceania tournament in Noosa, Australia. New Zealand plays three Pool games on Friday, against the Cook Islands, Fiji and Australia, and three more on Sunday, against Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, ahead of the final at the end of Saturday.

The Upper Rams are seeking expressions of interests for coaching positions. The club is looking for coaching and managers for their Premier Reserve, Senior 2s and Colts sides for 2015. Applications close 3 October. For more email Claudette.maxwell@gmail.com or to the Club Secretary at PO Box 40889, Upper Hutt 5140.

Former Tonga and Wellington Lions halfback Tomasi Palu (Old Boys University) made a winning debut this weekend for the Doncaster Knights against Jersey in the English Championship [second tier] Division. Doncaster came back from an 8-17 deficit to win 23-17 and record the team's second victory to start the season after beating Plymouth Albion in their opener without Palu.

Former Wellington College, Northern United and Wellington Lions excitement machine Buxton Popoalii was forced to retire from all rugby earlier this season owing to his ongoing heart condition, aged 24. Now he's turning his hand at coaching, and will be co-coach of his Dunedin club Green Island in 2015. He'll be hoping to turn their fortunes around, Green Island having finished last this year.

Former Northern United and now Wellington Axemen loose forward Dean Brunsdon will start for the Wellington Lions at blindside flanker when they take on the Canterbury Lambs in Christchurch on Friday night. The Lions also welcome a new halfback-first five-eighth combination with Sheridan Rangihuna (HOBM) and Jackson Garden-Bachop (Norths), while Matt Proctor (Ories) returns from injury to centre as does Ross Filipo (Petone) at lock. View the team here

As part of their preview to today's crunch Wellington Lions v Auckland ITM Cup match, the Dominion Posts talks to Tawa loosehead prop Tolu Fahamokioa here

Former New Zealand Sevens player Belgium Tuatagaloa (Petone) is a fresh addition to the Ricoh Wellington Lions line-up named to take on Auckland this weekend. A member of the Lions’ wider squad, Tuatagoloa returned to Wellington this season, following a stint in Canterbury last year and starts on the left wing. View the team to play Auckland here

Tickets go on sale to the public on 16 for September for the Wellington Sevens tournament, starting on Waitangi Day. The 2015 tournament will offer Premier and Family Zone prices at a decreased rate, including a significant drop in kids’ tickets to just $40. Ticket prices have decreased overall and there are no one-day tickets anymore.

Pau Halafihi (Ories) starts at blindside flanker for the Wellington Lions in their ITM Cup second round match against Northland on Saturday, kick-off 2.35 pm. The team for Northland also includes the return of Motu Matu’u (Ories), Pati Gaualofa (Tawa) and Reggie Goodes (Poneke), the debut off the bench of Chase Tiataia (HOBM) and James So’oialo (Tawa) at first five-eighth. Read more

There three sets of lower grade club rugby semi-finals on Saturday, these being:
Vic Calcanai Memorial Cup (Colts Division 2): Poneke 41 - Upper Hutt Rams 33 and Wainuiomata 24 - Kapiti Colts 22
Eric Connolly Memorial Cup (Colts Division 3): Upper Hutt Rams 33 - Tawa 22 and Johnsonville 43- Rahui 3
Johnsonville Centennium Cup (Reserve Grade Division 1): Poneke Ruffnuts 27 - OBU Therapists 20 and Upper Hutt Rams J8s 18 - Petone Brotherhood 6

Also U85 kg semi-finals coming up this Saturday. The MSP Blues have qualified top for the Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield and the HOBM Eaglets have qualified first for the Division 2 Moody Cup. More details to come.

In heavy conditions at Memorial Park in Masterton on Saturday, the new Wellington U19s had their first warm-up match for October's National U19 Tournament against Wairarapa-Bush Development, winning 51-0. Scoring nine tries to nil, Wellington played a strong first 40 minutes, but fell off the pace in the second spell, having taken a 34-0 lead at the turn.

The scoring in the game began two minutes from the start, with a total of six tries scored at regular intervals before Wellington turned to play into the wind. The home team were noted for their determined defence overall and a territorial advantage in the second half. However, the combination of pace and structure from the visitors determined the final outcome.

Wellington will be disappointed at a large number of tackle penalties conceded in the second-half, which disrupted the overall flow of an otherwise entertaining game.

HOBM Jubilee Cup winner Parataiso Silafai-Leaanai has departed for Melbourne, Australia. He is exploring opportunities abroad.From Silverstream where he played alongside Tomasi Alosio & Ope Peleseuma he debut for the Eagles in May 2010, in all he has played 65 games for the Eagles. We wish him all the best.

St Catherine’s College are the Wellington Premier girls champions, edging Porirua College 24-22 in a thrilling final last night at Te Whaea. In the Division 2 match before it the margin was even narrower with Bishop Viard winning 27-26 over Kapiti College.

A snapshot at Wellington club rugby finals coming up on Saturday 16 August (times and venues to be confirmed later in the week): Senior 1 final at the Petone Rec at 2. 30 pm between Petone and PonekeSenior 2 final at the Hutt Rec at 2.30 pm between HOBM and OBUWomen's final at Porirua Park at 11.30 am between Norths and OriesReserve Grade Division 2 final OBU Pink Ginners v Johnsonville Cripples at Te Whaea at 3.00 pm

Plus: Wellington Suburbs v Wellington Samoan at Porirua Park # 1 at 2.30 pm and Wellington City v Wellington Maori at Porirua Park # 2 at 1.00 pm and NZ Marist Colts v HOBM/MSP Colts at the Petone Rec # 2 at 1.15 pm.

Jackie Patea (Wainuiomata) will start at lock in NZ's second Women's World Cup match on Wednesday morning NZT (kick-off 4.00 am). After a convincing 79-5 win over Kazakhstan to open the 2014 tournament, the Black Ferns, chasing their fifth straight World Cup, are playing 2013 Women's Six Nations champions Ireland in their second match.

It's Finals Day at the Hutt Rec today. Gates open at 10.00 am. Entry by a gold coin donation. Proceeds to Wellington junior rugby. Matches are:

• 10.30 am: Colts Final: OBU Green v HOBM Green
• 12.45 pm: Hardham Cup Final: Northern United v Poneke
• 3.00 pm: Jubilee Cup Final: Hutt Old Boys Marist v Wainuiomata

The Wellington Pride team was named last week, ahead of the upcoming Women's NPC. The team is (two to be added): Muteremoana Aiatu (Norths), Tina Kelemete (Norths), Annie Mativa (Ories), Alice Soper (WoA), Fuamai Taumoli (Ories), Rebecca Burns (Tawa), Lauren Harris (OBU), Jackie Patea (WoA), Sanita Levave (Norths), Joanah Ngan-Woo, (Ories), Carol Sio, (Avalon), Kirstin Stewart (Ories), Aimee Sutorius (Norths), Samantha McIntosh (Norths), Gina Williamson (OBU), Acacia Claridge (WoA), Jamie McIntosh, (Norths) Elizabeth Goulden, (Ories), Kauna Lopa (Ories), Georgia Daals, (OBU), Vaine Marsters(Norths), Fa'asua Makisi (Ories), Amanda Rasch, (Ories), Lilian Mapu (OBU), Mary-Ann Collins (WoA), Katarina Simpkins, (Avalon), Courtney Clarke (OBU), Timena Tuma'ai (Ories)

Andrew Wells lines up today at fullback at Evans Bay Park to play his 50th game for MSP. Wells joined MSP at the end of 2011 from Wellington College. At the same time, first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili plays his 150th match for MSP (see story).?

www.superrugby.co.nz has the breakdown of what needs to happen this weekend for all the teams to make the Super Rugby playoffs, including the Hurricanes:

Best: 6th Worst: 8th. The Hurricanes' slim hopes are dependent on two key outcomes.They must hope the Blues beat the Chiefs (without the Chiefs taking two bonus points) by less than 38 points and also hope that neither the Brumbies or Force take a bonus point. However a win for the Chiefs will knock out the Hurricanes, with the Brumbies and Force (directly below the Wellington based team). With this Aussie duo set to square off on Friday night, one (and possibly both) can edge ahead of the Wellingtonians.

OBU prop Con Williams should play his 100^th Premier game for the Goats on Saturday against Tawa at Lyndhurst Park. Con will also be the 7th OBU player to reach the mark, after Chris Te’o, Mike Te Moana, Darryl Gore, Claire Rowat (Women’s) Seminar Manu and Ian Kennedy. Previously, he played 96 matches for Varsity in Manawatu Premier rugby.

Julian Savea (Ories) scored a hat-trick of tries and Cory Jane (Upper Hutt Rams) had a dynamic match for the All Blacks in their 36-13 win over England last night.

The second round of U85kg Division 1 and 2 matches got underway last night under lights at Te Whaea. First round Division 1 champions MSP Blues defeated neighbours the Poneke Cavs 10-0 and MSP Green and the Wests Roosters met (result TBC). Follow the Division 1 Paul Potiki Shield through the Draws & Results section above. Update: Changes are afoot in this grade, so this may not be happening anymore, details TBC.

Wellington club rugby players, including Fa’atonu Fili (MSP), Paulo Aukuso (Ories), Tu Umaga-Marshall (Tawa), and also Piri Weepu (Wainuiomata) who is captaining the Blues team, are playing in the World Club 10s tournament in Singapore this weekend. We hope to bring news of their exploits.

A Wellington club rugby selection was beaten 12-21 by their Hawke's Bay counterparts in a 40 minute match in Palmerston North last night. Wellington scored tries to wing Afa Fa'atau (Ories) and Ope Peleseuema (HOBM), but were ?undone by a couple of dropped balls and two runaway tries. The Hurricanes beat Hawke's Bay 38-0 and then Manawatu 14-7 in two practice games.

Tawa College and Porirua College will meet in the upcoming Co-ed Cup First XV final after contrasting semi-final wins. Tawa College beat last year’s champions Naenae College 47-10 and Porirua and Aotea drew 22-22. Porirua go through by scoring 4 tries to 3.

Another bumper week of rugby sees two high quality First XV matches on Tuesday. In town, Wellington College hosts Christchurch Boys' HS (kick-off 12.30 pm), and at St Pat's Silverstream the host school plays St Bede's, Christchurch (1.30 pm). On Wednesday there are the Wellington region Co-ed Cup semi-finals at Porirua Park. Porirua College plays Aotea College at 5.00 pm and Tawa College plays Naenae College at 6.30 pm.

In representative rugby on Wednesday evening, a Wellington XV plays a tri-province pre-season fixture (non first-class) against Hawke's Bay and Manawatu. This match is being played in Palmerston North.

To view the second round Victoria Tavern Trophy draw, rounds 1-7, visit Draws & Results across the top of this page and select the competition menu toolbar.

The third and final set of interprovincial women's club matches between Wellington and Manawatu teams is tomorrow. Games scheduled are: Stokes Valley v Stratford in Levin; Avalon v Eketahuna in Otaki; Wainuiomata v FOBO at Otaki; Poneke v Foxton in Foxton; Norths v Kia Toa in Levin; Tawa v OBU at Lyndhurst Park at 11.30 am.

Tawa’s Shaun Treeby has resigned with the Wellington Lions until the end of 2015.