Taking it to the Aussies

TAG TEAM: Auckland members of the New Zealand under-17 tag side are excited about taking on Australia at the Trans-Tasman Tag Football tournament this weekend. Photo: JASON OXENHAM

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New Zealand's oldest sporting rivalry will be rekindled on the tag football field this weekend when the national under-17 mixed side takes on the Aussies.

Tag is a sport similar to rugby league, except that players are forced to stop when a piece of material attached to their waist is ripped off by the opposing team.

New Zealand manager Darryl Bovaird says it is hard to know how the team will go during the inaugural five-test series at North Harbour Stadium.

"I'd give them even money. Our kids are pretty sharp."

Mr Bovaird says that despite coming from several different schools, including Mt Albert Grammar, Auckland Girls' Grammar and Avondale College, the team has gelled well.

"They all played at the nationals in February," he says.

"It helps that they're mainly Auckland-based, but there are five coming up from Wellington."

The squad is made up of 11 boys and 11 girls.

Squad member and Mt Albert Grammar student Matthew Rowland says there is no rivalry between the players, even though they are all from different schools.

"Everyone's come together for this," he says. "I think we've got a good chance – we've been training pretty hard."

- © Fairfax NZ News