Chiefs Region Age Group Teams Kick Off Saturday

The Northern Region competition kicks off this weekend in Te Awamutu for the Under 19 Chiefs Country teams with Waikato to face Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty to take on Taranaki for round one.

Teams from Northland, North Harbour and Auckland are also part of the competition which runs through to the end of September. It provides a great opportunity for Under 18 and 19 players to represent their region and showcase their skills for potential higher honours.

Chiefs Rugby Club Head of Pathways Kent Currie emphasised the importance of Age Grade Provincial Rugby for the Chiefs Pathway Programme.

"Players being given the opportunity to represent their respective provinces and play high-quality representative rugby has been a point of difference in our national game for many years and something we advocate strongly for."

The Chiefs Rugby Club will utilise the Northern Region competition to finalise their selection for the University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp and identify players for the University of Waikato Chiefs U20 squad.

"Our philosophy as an organisation is to give our region's most talented players opportunities, first and foremost, as opposed to having to recruit from outside our region," said Currie.

"A large portion of our current Gallagher Chiefs squad, which is arguably one of the best we have ever had, have come through the Chiefs Development Pathway – whether it’s First XV, Age Group Representative, Provincial Academy or NPC programmes."

Current Gallagher Chiefs and All Blacks that have come through the Chiefs Development Pathway include Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa'i, Emoni Narawa and Samisoni Taukei'aho.

The players selected at the end of the Northern Region competition to be a part of the University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp will convene in October for an immersive five days of learning ahead of playing the Blues U18 sides.

The University of Waikato Chiefs U20s squad selected will again compete in the Bunnings Super Rugby U20 tournament in March 2024.


Northern Region U19 Competition – Chiefs Region Super Round
Round 1: Saturday 12 August, Albert Park, Te Awamutu
Waikato U19 v Counties Manukau U19 - 12pm kick-off
Bay of Plenty U19 v Taranaki U19 - 1.30pm kick-off

Northern Region U18 Finals Day - Saturday 23 September
Northern Region U19 Finals Day - Saturday 30 September

University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp
Squad Announced - Monday 25 September
U18 Camp – Tuesday 3 October to Sunday 8 October, St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton

Pictured: 2022 University of Waikato Chiefs U18 Development Camp, Warren Gatland sharing his knowledge with attendees.