Capital rugby heads into first combined comp

 ROUND one of the Capital Rugby Union season proper is again set to bring more excitement at the Monier Bava Park.

There are 14 men’s teams and five women’s teams.

The additional men’s clubs this season include, Defence, University Piggies, Motuan Warriors, Valley Hunters, Juggernauts and Kone Sharks.

They join Harlequins, Bothers, Nova, Chiefs, Wanderers, Spartans and LaSallians.

With the Oceania Cup set for later this year competition for spots is expected to add quality to the season. 

In the women’s division, Nova will go up against Southern Chiefs to start the women’s 10s competition.

Nova, with the likes of national representatives Naomi Alapi and Lynette Kwarula, will have to master their game plan to give the Chiefs a challenge.

Although they may have not performed as well as expected during the CRU 7s competition, the Chiefs, who were the runners-up of the 2012 CRU women’s finals, are determined to stun spectators in this year’s 10s. 

In the other game, Brothers will take on the Trukai Harlequins on oval one.

Both will battle it out following rumours of a merger.

Due to the uneven number of teams for the premier, A grade, U19 and women’s there will be a number of byes.

The premier and A Grade will start in round two next weekend to ensure all grades finish at the same time.