Rugby Ends 2010 In Style

Nigerian rugby ended the year with a big bang with a successful inaugural Hemingway Safari 7's rugby tournament held over the weekend at the Lagos Polo Club.

The Nigerian All Stars elite rugby squad beat Barewa Rugby Football Club by 21 points to nil to win the cup tournament, while in a closely fought Plate final Racing Rugby Football Club of Lagos beat Shell Warri RFC by 19 points to 12 points to go home as winners of the Plate.

The first day comprised of a coaching clinic for kids, mini rugby games and a women’s rugby exhibition while the main event occurred on the second day with a hotly contested tournament comprising of 12 teams from Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Edo, Delta and Lagos.

Kayode Oguntayo, CEO of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, said the event was a great way to end a successful rugby calendar year for rugby in Nigeria.

Following the great development of Nigeria’s inclusion in the Confederation of African Rugby 2011 championships, the tournament was a platform for future National team players to showcase their skills.

Trials for the Black Stallions, the Nigerian Rugby team will thus start early in 2011.