44 teams from local primary schools and intermediates took part in Manawatū Rugby’s Rippa World Cup at Bill Brown Park on 20 October.

The tournament was held to coincide with the Men’s Rugby World Cup and to encourage wider participation in rugby. Each team was assigned a 2023 Rugby World Cup country and were encouraged to dress up in outfits that represented that country.

17 schools from the Manawatū, Tararua, and Rangitikei entered teams. The tournament was split into two grades — Years 5 and 6, and Years 7 and 8.

Manawatū Rugby ran the tournament for girls last year to coincide with the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

After such a strong turnout this year, Manawatū Rugby is making the Rippa World Cup an annual event.

Rippa is the form of rugby that tamariki aged under seven play in the Manawatū junior club competition.

Manawatū Rugby Game Development and Operations Manager Shaun Eade says it was great to see so many teams take part, as the key purposes of the tournament was to encourage participation and introduce new kids to rugby.

“For many of these kids, it would have been the first Rippa tournament that they have played in, so hopefully they enjoyed it so much that they’ll now register to play rippa or rugby for a club next season.”

Parents who would like to register their children to play rugby in 2024 can find junior club contacts here or contact Matt Booth at mattb@manawaturugby.co.nz.

Article added: Wednesday 25 October 2023