• Pre-season rugby tourney for youngsters this weekend

Pre-season rugby tourney for youngsters this weekend

When it comes to passion for rugby former Magpies midfield back Sam Giddens is right up there.

The 36-year-old is a former Havelock North, Napier Old Boys Marist and Napier Technical premier club player. Giddens played 33 first class games for the Magpies from 2007-'09 and five for Otago in 2011.

This season he is the head coach of the Clive Rugby and Sports premier team. Despite this commitment, Giddens (pictured above with the Hastings Rugby and Sports 11th grade Cobras team he used to coach) has been a key organiser of the Hawke's Bay 10s tournament for 9th to 12th grade teams which will be played at Elwood Park this weekend.

"We thought it would provide a good lead in to the JAB season which starts after the holidays," Giddens explained.

Six ninth and 12 10th grade teams will be in action today. Tomorrow will see eight 11th grade and eight 12th grade teams take to the fields.

"I've got to thank Paul Burgiss, Hannah McGrail, Gemma Butcher and the rest of the Hastings Rugby and Sports junior committee for helping to get the tournament up and running," Giddens said.

During the weekend signed Blues and Crusaders jerseys will be raffled.