For all the speed, flair and stamina Rugby Sevens holds, its baby brother Beach 5s can match it – and then some.

That's according to the organisers of the inaugural tournament this weekend at Mount Main Beach.

Mount Maulers James Jacobs, Jimi Roberts and Eremia Tapsell practice against Sam Fowler ahead of the Mount Beach 5s tournament. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

From 10am tomorrow, rugby's fastest growing form of the game hits the ground running as 10 teams from across New Zealand mix crunching hits with spectacular tries for the overall title.

'It's easily the craziest sport you'll see on sand,” says co-organiser Sam Fowler.

With no scrums or line outs, tackled players must release the ball within three seconds or face a turnover. This makes for a lung-busting 10-minute affair for players.

Each team has five players on the field at one time, plus seven rolling subs per match.

'We have thrown the net out far and wide and managed to lure in some teams from the South Island, Taranaki and Auckland,” says Sam.

Flying the Bay of Plenty flag this weekend are the Mount Maunganui Maulers and Tauranga Sports, while coming from further afield are the Hawke's Bay Scorpions, Hinuera Hustlers and Dunedin Scarfies.

Sam says with the sport already a huge hit in Europe, particularly Italy, it's hoped the game will take off in NZ – with the Mount tournament envisaged as the catalyst.

In the long-term organisers will seek to tap into NZ's massive rugby pedigree by hosting six tournaments nationwide before a grand final tournament at Mount Maunganui, with the overall winner winging their way to Italy to represent the country.

Sam says the sport is faster than Sevens, more physical than touch, and people can expect to see some 'fancy footwork, crunching hits and spectacular tries”.

Tomorrow the teams will be drawn into two pools of four, competing in a round robin before finals in the afternoon.

Kick-off is 10am, with the grand final starting 3.45pm. All matches will be played on the beach next to the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service.