2025 Under 85kg National Club Cup draw confirmed

The Under 85kg National Club Cup is back for 2025 and it’s set to be another thrilling competition, with 45 teams vying for a spot in the final on 27 September at Eden Park.

The draw was completed at Pakuranga Rugby Club at 6pm on 4 July 2025 under the supervision of Mike Hester, Head of Rugby Participation, and Rick Johnston, President of the NZ Barbarian RFC. Members of the winning team last year, the Pakuranga Black Panthers, were also on hand to witness the draw.

“U85kg is a dynamic and well-loved style of rugby, with the fast pace and skill of players making for an exciting game for fans” says Mike Hester.

The competition kicks off on 26 July, with teams playing a series of local and regional playoff fixtures. The top teams then advance to national quarters, semis, and final.

After a successful final in 2024, the final will be played at Eden Park again, as a curtain-raiser for September’s Bledisloe Cup match.

Last year’s final between the Pakuranga Panthers and the High School Old Boys Light Bears showcased how exciting this grade is. Playing the final at Eden Park before an All Blacks Test makes an already exciting event even more special for players, says Hester.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR), in collaboration with the NZ Barbarian RFC, will also continue the selection of a NZR U85s paper selection. Opportunities for the team to tour in 2026, after the successful series in Sri Lanka in 2025, continue to be explored. 

Teams have been drawn in a bracketed draw that creates as many cross boundary matches as possible in the Northern, Central and Southern regions. NZR will work with Provincial Unions and the respective clubs to find the best date and location for each match. 

The draw will soon be available at this link: New Zealand Rugby Competitions – U85kg draw

Will Pakuranga defend their title? Will the Light Bears be back at the top? Or will a new team emerge as champions?

2025 U85kg National Club Cup Round One draw

Round One of the draw sees the following matches, with dates and venues to be confirmed:

Northern:

East Coast Bays Badgers v Suburbs Redbacks

Papakura Rugby v Massey Panthers

College Rifles Raiders v North Shore Hairy Goats

Waiuku Bulldogs v University Slugs

Karaka Razzlers v Pakuranga Black Panthers

Pukekohe Pirates v Thames Valley Sly Foxes

Fraser Tech RFC v Coastal Kahawai

Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos v New Plymouth Old Boys

Marist St Michael’s Saints v Hamilton Old Boys Wolves

Tauranga Rugby v Hamilton Marist Bulldogs

University Legends v Glenfield Cavaliers

Grammar Tec Old Boys v BYE

The following Byes have been drawn as holding positions for the ARU and NHRU Finalists for their local competitions on 26 July. These Byes will be reallocated to the finalists once known. For example, ff Pakuranga Black Panthers are an ARU U85kg Competition Finalist, they will swap with one of the ARU clubs below that don’t hold a final’s position.

Auckland BYE - Eden Lizards

Auckland BYE - University Squids

North Harbour BYE - Silverdale

North Harbour BYE – Northcote

Central:

Hutt Old Boys RFC v Avalon Wolves

Wellington RFC v OBU Scallywags

Central Hawke’s Bay v Upper Hutt Rams Brewton

Hastings Rugby v Pōneke Wanderers

Southern:

High School Old Boys Light Bears v New Brighton Rugby

Lincoln University Horns v Linwood El Toros

Burnside v Methven RFC

Sydenham Rugby v Waihora Longhorns

Shirley Vikings v Oxford Bobby Calves

Previous National Club Cup winners

2024: Pakuranga Black Panthers

2023: High School Old Boys Light Bears

2022: Southern Bush Pigs

2021: Southern Bush Pigs

2020: Eden Lizards