Special guests from the Maori All Blacks and Black Ferns are watching as Rippa Rugby teams from across the Bay of Plenty compete in the Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup at Ray Boord Park Rotorua today.

The special guests are in Rotorua ahead of the DHL Lions International Series fixture and International Women's Series on Saturday 17 June.

Rippa Rugby World Cup Qualifying Tournaments have been held across Western, Central and Eastern Bay of Plenty seeing over the last three weeks, as more than 1500 kids across the two grades (years three and four and years five and six) competed to secure a spot in Friday's Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup.

The winner of the year five and six competition will represent the region at the national Air New Zealand Rippa Rugby Championship in Wellington from September 18th – 19th. Last year Bay of Plenty was represented by Kawerau South who finished third at the National Rippa Rugby tournament.

'There is plenty of excitement from teams playing in the finals to have the chance to meet some the Black Ferns and NZ Maori players,” says Junior Rugby Development Officer for Bay of Plenty Rugby, Brett Johnson.

'The skill level is amazing for the age of the players, and the games are really exciting to watch. It is an awesome experience for all who are involved and a big thank you for the team's players, coaches and supporters and the efforts they have put in thus far and I wish them all the best for Friday.”

Baywide Rippa Rugby World Cup:

Date: Friday 16 June

Location: Ray Brood Park, Rotorua

Time: 9.00am – 2.30pm