Fifth annual Piri Weepu 7s tournament on Saturday

Twelve men’s and four women’s teams will take the field at William Jones Park this Saturday in the fifth annual Piri Weepu Invitational 7s tournament.

Teams from Manawatu, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Horowhenua-Kapiti are coming down to join several Wellington club and invitational teams in this year’s event.

Wellington clubs taking part are host club Wainuiomata, Marist St Pat’s (men’s and women’s), Northern United (men’s and women’s), Old Boys University, the Upper Hutt Rams, Poneke and Hutt Old Boys Marist (women's).

Hawke’s Bay club Napier Pirates are coming down with both their men’s and women’s squads, whilst other visiting teams include the Manawatu Fijians, the Kapiti Barbarians, Ngati Toa and Ngamatapouri from southern Taranaki. The Wellington Flyers invitational team could also prove a dangerous combination.

For the last local rugby event in 2014, fans can head along to William Jones Park to watch the tournament which runs on one field from 9.00 am to approximately 4.39 pm when the men’s final kicks off. There will be a barbecue running and the clubrooms will be open all day.

The Piri Weepu Invitation Rugby 7s Tournament began in 2011 and is now one of the highlights on the Sevens calandar in Wellington, as well as being the final tournament of the year. It is one of the ‘crown jewels’ of Wainuiomata Rugby and assists in the development of young and up-and-coming players within the Wainuiomata Alan Parlachief Rugby Academy.

Renowned international players participated in the foundation year including tournament namesake Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Ardie Savea and other elite players.

Weepu himself will be keeping tabs on the day from afar, from his current base in southeast France where he is playing for Oyonnax.

There are four trophies up for grabs, the men’s Cup, Plate and Bowl and the Women’s title. In addition to trophies, $4,100 in prize money is up for grabs.

Last year the tournament was taken out by the Wellington (WRFU) Men’s and Women’s teams, who were warming up for the following weekend’s Central Region Sevens qualifying tournament.

The men beat Horowhenua-Kapiti in the final, whilst the women defeated the Havelock North club side.

In 2013, The Pacific Warriors beat the Wests Roosters 45-36 in the final, after knocking out Wellington Men 17-14 in the semi-finals and the Wellington Women beat Norths in their final.

The weather forecast is patchy early on but becoming fine and sunny as the day progresses, while the action on the field will be sweltering.

Facebook coverage: Follow the tournament’s event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/179817942361896/ 

Pools

Men’s Pool A: Manawatu Fijians, Marist St Pat’s, Old Boys University
Men’s Pool B: Wellington Flyers, Ngamatapouri, Kapiti Barbarians
Men’s Pool C: Ngati Toa, Wainuiomata, Northern United
Men’s Pool D: Upper Hutt Rams, Poneke, Napier Pirates
Women’s Pool E: Marist St Pat’s, Northern United, Hutt Old Boys Marist, Napier Pirates

Schedule

Men’s pool play between 9.00 am and 1.32 pm
Women’s pool play between 10.08 am and 2.03 pm
Men’s Bowl semi-finals: 2.06 pm and 2.23 pm
Men’s Plate semi-finals: 2.40 pm and 2.57 pm
Men’s Cup semi-finals: 3.14 pm and 3.31 pm
Women’s final 3.48 pm
Men’s Bowl final: 4.05 pm
Men’s Plate final 4.22 pm
Men’s Cup final 4.39 pm