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Regional | Touch Rugby

2013 National Māori Touch tournament

For 17 years Tauranga Moana Māori Touch have been attending the annual tournament, and over time the club has developed NZ representatives and coaches.

Shane Sweles is an original member of Tauranga Moana Māori Touch that first competed in the National Māori tournament in 1997.

The club has grown and now fields three teams; the Open Men's, Open Women's and an Over 30s Mix.

Paula Smith has been a member for 10 years.

Smith first started in the U21 women's side and is now a member of the Over 30s Mixed, and she almost missed this year's tournament due to a shoulder injury.

While the teams look impressive on the field, all three teams are gunning for finals berths tomorrow.

This could be the final year Waitako-Tainui will host the annual event for a while, talk is Te Arawa have put in a bid to host the Nationals next year in Rotorua.