Six teams will kick off the inaugural Pasifika Youth Cup in Auckland tomorrow.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the New Zealand Maori Rugby League and the Vodafone Warriors, opens with a powhiri at Mount Smart Stadium before the first round of matches at Cornwall Park.
Auckland Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby League referee coordinators are also providing invaluable support.
The event will showcase young players in the under-18 and under-16 categories with both grades split into premier and developing competitions.
New Zealand Maori, Tonga (Hakula Tonga), Samoa, Cook Islands (Auckland Cook Islands), Niue (Auckland Niue RL) and Fiji (Fiji NZ) are the competing teams.
“One of the biggest benefits is the chance players will have to reconnect or connect for the first time with their culture,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment and development manager Tony Iro.
Each team will perform a haka before every game.
PASIFIKA YOUTH CUP 2017
Cornwall Park
Thursday
Under 16s
1.45pm | Tonga v Samoa, No 3 (premier)
1.45pm | Fiji v Niue, No 1 (developing)
1.45pm | Cook Islands v NZ Maori, No 2 (crossover)
Under 18s
3.00pm | Tonga v Samoa, No 3 (premier)
3.00pm | Cook Islands v NZ Maori, No 2 (crossover)
Friday
Under 16s
10.00am | Samoa v NZ Maori, No 3 (premier)
10.00am | Niue v Cook Islands, No 2 (developing)
10.00am | Tonga v Fiji, No 1 (crossover)
1.30pm | Tonga v NZ Maori, No 3 (premier)
1.30pm | Fiji v Cook Islands, No 1 (developing)
1.30pm | Niue v Samoa, No 2 (crossover)
Under 18s
11.15am | Samoa v NZ Maori, No 3 (premier)
11.15am | Niue v Cook Islands, No 2 (developing)
2.45pm | Tonga v NZ Maori, No 3 (premier)
2.45pm | Niue v Samoa, No 2 (crossover)
Saturday
Semi-finals from 10.00am
1.15pm | Under-16 final, No 3
2.30pm | Under-18 final, No 3
