Rugby juniors test their skills

It was a chance to test their skills on some of the most picturesque rugby grounds in the country.

More than a thousand of the country’s young rugby stars were in action over the weekend at the Queenstown Events Centre, in the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival.

Forty clubs sent junior teams to the resort town for two days of games. Teams faced off in a series of quick-fire round-robin matches, across six fields.

Tournament director Tyrone Campbell said the focus of the weekend was on fun and enjoyment, giving the children the thrill of competition against different clubs.

"The teams are playing about five games over the weekend. So the games are shorter so they can play different teams, generally playing 15 minutes each way."

For many of the children, it was their first time playing outside their home region.

Whakatipu Rugby Club coach Harry Fleming believed the event was great for the players’ development, exposing them to different styles, and seeing how they stacked up against other junior clubs.

"Playing other areas, you know, Christchurch, Dunedin and the entire region. I just think it’s huge for our kids, especially being in Central Otago."

And while the event did not feature any grand finals, team managers were assisting with scoring on and off-field performances to help decide the festival’s MVP team and players.

The youngsters are set to be rewarded for their hard work on the field with rides on the Skyline Gondola and Luge today, before heading home.

— Rhyva van Onselen