{"id":15233,"date":"2022-09-08T15:02:58","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T03:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/?p=15233"},"modified":"2022-09-08T18:44:34","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T06:44:34","slug":"inaugural-te-upoko-o-te-ika-maori-rugby-invitational-tournament-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/2022\/09\/08\/inaugural-te-upoko-o-te-ika-maori-rugby-invitational-tournament-this-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Inaugural Te Upoko O Te Ika M\u0101ori Rugby Invitational tournament this weekend\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Updated:<\/strong><\/em> This Friday and Saturday\u2019s Te Upoko O Te Ika M\u0101ori Rugby Invitational tournament is a first for two reasons.<\/p>\n<p>As well as being the inaugural tournament, it marks the introduction of rugby being played at the all-new New Zealand Campus of Innovation of Sport facility in Upper Hutt.<\/p>\n<p>Te Upoko O Te Ika (Wellington M\u0101ori) coach Justin Wilson explained how this tournament has come together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have been working on trying to grow M\u0101ori rugby in Aotearoa for a couple of years and we thought that an invitational tournament would generate interest from teams from outside our region,\u201d said Wilson.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt certainly has done that. Unfortunately, Auckland and Counties Manukau haven\u2019t been able to make it here this time, but we are looking at incorporating these other unions in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The tournament runs across two divisions, with promotion-relegation from one year to the next \u2013 akin to the well-established annual New Zealand Marist Spillane tournament held in March.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have created two divisions where we think we have got some pretty good and outstanding rugby between evenly matched teams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Teams taking part in the first year of the tournament, include Canterbury from the South Island (originally Tasman too but they have had to withdraw because of the recent flooding in their region)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom the North Island, Hawke\u2019s Bay M\u0101ori will be strong and hard to knock over, Manawat\u016b have got some good young players coming through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Plus sides representing Heartland sides Poverty Bay and Horowhenua-Kapiti.<\/p>\n<p>As well as Tasman, Taranaki have been a late withdrawal, but the Wellington Fijians have stepped up to take their place this weekend, along with a second Te Upoko O Te Ika selection team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe see this tournament as the start of something special, and a great way to aid the growth of M\u0101ori rugby. We want to test ourselves against the best M\u0101ori teams from around the country and we are setting this tournament to be able to make that happen in the near future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs well as our men\u2019s teams, we have our U18 girls, our U18 boys and we are looking at putting up a second development side \u2013 so the growth in M\u0101ori rugby in Wellington is huge and we want to help other unions do the same because the stronger it is for everybody the better for the game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn turn, if the tournament is successful, we can replicate it for our Rangatahi and Wahine teams as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The tournament was also created for club rugby players not contracted professionals. The Prince of Wales Cup that ran from 1927 to 1993 had served a similar purpose previously.<\/p>\n<p>Wilson said the home Te Upoko O Te Ika team has had a positive representative season together so far.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have won four out of five and hopefully we can keep winning this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlaying at the new venue, we are extremely lucky to be the first teams\u2019 and part of the first tournament on the ground, so that\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><del>The tournament is also being broadcast on Sky Television<\/del>, and on the airwaves by Te Upoko O Te Ika Radio.<\/p>\n<p><em>Update:<\/em> We falsely insinuated that the tournament will be broadcast on Sky Television. It is understood this might be more of a highlights package next week on Sky and\/or M\u0101ori Television.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Teams and Divisions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Division 1:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Te Upoko O Te Ika M\u0101ori (Wellington M\u0101ori)<\/p>\n<p>Waitaha Maori (Canterbury M\u0101ori)<\/p>\n<p>Te Matau a Maui Maori (Hawke\u2019s Bay M\u0101ori)<\/p>\n<p>Poverty Bay M\u0101ori<\/p>\n<p><em>Division 2<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Manawat\u016b M\u0101ori<\/p>\n<p>Te Upoko Upoko O Te Ika Invitational<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The winner of Division 1 are crowned as the tournament winners.<\/li>\n<li>Last in Division 1 relegated to Division 2 following year.<\/li>\n<li>Winner of Division 2 promoted to Division 1 following year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tournament Draw<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Friday 9 September:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Division 1: Te Upoko O Te Ika v Poverty Bay (12.15pm)<\/p>\n<p>Division 1: Waitaha Maori v Te Matau A Maui (2.45pm) &#8211; First ever meeting<\/p>\n<p><em>Saturday 10 September:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Division 1: Loser v Loser (3v4) matches (11.00am)<\/p>\n<p>Division 2: Promotion\/Regulation,\u00a0Manawat\u016b v Te Upoko Upoko O Te Ika Invitational (11.00am)<\/p>\n<p>Division 1: Winner for Winner (1v2) matches (1.30pm)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>++++++<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_15234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15234\" style=\"width: 702px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-15234\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/manaawatu-taranaki-maori-teams.jpg?resize=640%2C346&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/manaawatu-taranaki-maori-teams.jpg?resize=300%2C162&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/manaawatu-taranaki-maori-teams.jpg?w=518&amp;ssl=1 518w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-15234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Manawat\u016b M\u0101ori T\u0101ne uplifted the Tuera Shield from Taranaki M\u0101ori T\u0101ne 31-24 in Hawera last Saturday. A Taonga played between Taranaki and Whanganui, with Manawat\u016b M\u0101ori recently added to the roster. Manawat\u016b last won the Shield in 1985.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>About the Tuera Shield:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Taranaki Maori Rugby Union - Tuera Shield\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/30472518?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Updated: This Friday and Saturday\u2019s Te Upoko O Te Ika M\u0101ori Rugby Invitational tournament is a first for two reasons. As well as being the inaugural tournament, it marks the introduction of rugby being played at the all-new New Zealand Campus of Innovation of Sport facility in Upper Hutt. Te Upoko O Te Ika (Wellington&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-in-briefs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Maori-Haka1.jpg?fit=1024%2C548&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbDiON-3XH","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15233"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15245,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15233\/revisions\/15245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}