Auckland’s Eden ran away to beat Eastbourne in the semi-finals last year. PHOTO: Andy McArthur.
- By NZR Media Release
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the draw for the 2021 NZ Barbarians Under 85kg National Club Cup, with 45 teams from across 12 Provincial Unions set to compete.
Some of the key match-ups from the draw draw include a repeat of the tightly contested 2020 Quarter Final between Auckland University’s Squids and Karaka Razzlers from Counties-Manukau. Newcomers Kahukura formed specifically for the tournament from the Bay of Plenty will travel from Rotorua to play East Coast Bays at North Harbour. Champions Eden Lizards, one of several teams with a first round bye, will play the winner of the Kahurangi versus East Coast Bays.
Proudly supported by New Zealand Barbarian Rugby Football Club, the U85 Club Cup sees the country’s top under 85kg men’s teams compete in a regional knock-out competition, culminating in national final.
While the schedule has yet to be finalised, NZR Participation Development Manager Mike Hester, said they were looking forward to showcasing the games on a wider platform, including televised curtain raisers to high profile games – providing a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on this re-emerging grade.
Club Rugby will also support this where possible – and where allowed to, if Sky Television or the stadium that bears their name in Wellington are/is involved.
“It’s great for those players who live in areas where there isn’t an under 85kg grade to have the opportunity to take the field and represent their club on a national stage.
“We’re really looking forward to this competition getting bigger and better every year.
NZ BARBARIANS UNDER 85 CLUB CUP DRAW
Northern Region
Round One:
Suburb Stallions v NZ Forestry Tukapa
ECB Mayfield Sportshouse 85 v Kahukura
Pakuranga United Taipans v Hauraki North
Auckland University Debt Collectors v Kumeu 85s
North Shore Hairy Goats v College Rifles Raiders
Melville 85s v Onewhero 85s
Takapuna Bombers v Morrinsville Sports Majestic Pukekos
Leamington Longhorns v Fraser Tech
Auckland University Legends v Grammar TEC Nga Taniwhas
Auckland University Squids v Karaka Razzlers
Clubs with a bye to round 2:
Hamilton Marist
Ponsonby Hustlers
Auckland Marist Old Boys MOB
Old Boys Grammar TEC
Eden Lizards
University of Waikato Varsity Stags
Patumahoe
Pukekohe Pirates
Elevate Roofing Massey 85’s
Hamilton Old Boys Wolfpack
Round two:
Ponsonby Hustlers v Hamilton Old Boys Wolfpack
Grammar TEC Old Boys v (Leamington Longhorns/Fraser Tech)
(North Shore Hairy Goats/College Rifles Raiders) v (Auckland University Legends/Grammar TEC Nga Taniwhas)
Auckland Marist Old Boys MOB v (Auckland University Debt Collectors/Kumeu 85s)
Patumahoe v Hamilton Marist
University of Waikato Varsity Stags v (Takapuna Bombers/Morrinsville Sports Majestic Pukekos)
(ECB Mayfield Sportshouse 85/Kahukura) v Eden Lizards
(Melville 85s/Onewhero 85s) v Pukekohe Pirates
(Suburb Stallions/NZ Forestry Tukapa) v Elevate Roofing Massey 85’s
(Auckland University Squids/Karaka Razzlers) v (Pakuranga United Taipans/Hauraki North)
Central Region
Round one:
Johnsonville Terrahawks v Central Rugby Club
Clubs with bye to round 2:
Petone Villagers
Eastbourne Gulls
Real Steel Upper Hutt Rams
Poneke The Bond 85s
Old Boys University Scallywags
Hutt Old Boys Marist Howlers
Avalon Wolves
Marist St Pats Reds
Wellington FC Axemen
Round two:
Eastbourne Gulls v Hutt Old Boys Marist Howlers
Old Boys University Scallywags v Real Steel Upper Hutt Rams
Wellington FC Axemen v Marist St Pats Reds
Poneke The Bond 85s v Petone Villagers
Avalon Wolves v (Johnsonville Terrahawks/Cntral Rugby Club)
Southern Region
Round one:
Pleasant Point Mud Dogs v Sassenachs Rugby Club
Lincoln Short-Finned Eels v University of Canterbury Black Mambas
Round two:
(Pleasant Point Mud Dogs/Sassenachs Rugby Club) v (Lincoln Short-Finned Eels/University of Canterbury Black Mambas
*home and away team to be decided at later stage