Club rugby league is going 3D.
The game has always been played in 3D, but now there is a new trophy bearing that name.
The 3D Cup will on the line for the first time when the season gets under way today.
The trophy has been donated by Otago Rugby League Association historian Carey Clements.
He has named it the 3D Cup to honour three club founders —Wi Duff from Kai Toa and John Drinkwater and Bob Dragicevich from University.
"Both clubs began the same year in 1954 and, until now, have never had anything played between the two," Clements said an an email.
"Given they are Otago’s two oldest clubs, I feel the time is right now for the cup to be played, and as a good way of causing renewed interest in the competition."
The teams will play each other in the opening round in Opoho today, and Clements will referee the game.
Auckland club the Ponsonby Ponies played in the grade last year, but are not returning this season.
The Ponies won the minor premiership in 2021 and were scheduled to play University in the final, but the game was cancelled due to Covid-19.
The Otago Rugby League Association decided against naming a winner.
There are four teams in this year’s competition.
They will play each other twice, with the top two teams progressing to the final on August 27.
University shapes as one of the teams to beat again.
Otago Whalers prop Ricki Allan returns for another campaign, although he plans to shift to lock and will also take on an assistant coaching role.
Whalers hooker/half Troy Anstiss and Jayden Hollander, who plays in the same positions, are other players to watch.
Their opponent today, Kai Toa, has a new-look side. It has had some of its more experienced campaigners move on.
Lock Hagan Free is a strong carrier and Camrin Brown can slot in anywhere in the pack, and his return is a big boost for the side.
The South Pacific Raiders have a quality roster. Some of their better players, such as Mika Mafi and Mackenzie Haugh, will be playing in the club rugby final for Southern today, though.
They have a couple of Zingari-Richmond premier players in the ranks as well — midfielder Willie Time and outside back Tama Apineru.
The Raiders play the Waitaki Warriors and their main player shapes as half Inoke Fisilau, who will direct the traffic for the Warriors.
