Defending champions Bihar, last year’s runners-up Rajasthan, bronze medallists Maharashtra and hosts Odisha made emphatic statements on the opening day of the Boys’ Under-15 competition at the 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship.
As the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar witnessed a relentless display of attacking rugby and ruthless efficiency from India’s top age-group sides.
Across a full day of group-stage action followed by the Cup Pre-Quarterfinals, more than 1,200 points were scored, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive editions of the championship. From the very first whistle, the leading contenders separated themselves from the pack, combining speed, structure and tactical maturity that belied their young age.
The championship was formally declared open earlier in the day in a brief but symbolic ceremony led by Shri Sachin R. Jadhav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha. He was joined by Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey, President of Hockey India; Shri Bijaya Kumar Swain, OAS, Additional Secretary of the Department; Shri Priyadarshi Mishra, President of the Odisha Rugby Football Association; and Shri Upendra Kumar Mohanty, Vice President of the Odisha Rugby Football Association. Team captains from participating states were present as a ceremonial balloon release marked the official kickoff of the national championship.
Once the action began on the field, the focus quickly shifted from ceremony to competition, and Bihar wasted no time in reminding everyone why they are the reigning champions. In their group-stage fixtures, Bihar demolished Chandigarh 61–0 and Assam 55–0, producing two of the biggest margins of the day. Their ability to recycle possession, attack the wide channels and maintain defensive discipline left opponents with little room to breathe.
Rajasthan, who finished as runners-up in the previous edition, were equally ruthless in Pool B. They registered two identical 69–0 victories over Jammu & Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh, underlining their immense attacking depth and physical superiority. Their fast ruck ball and clinical finishing made them one of the most feared sides heading into the knockout stages.
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Maharashtra, bronze medallists last year, combined structure and pace to great effect. They overcame Haryana 50–7 before blanking Karnataka 45–0, showing both defensive resilience and attacking sharpness. Their ability to switch between direct carries and expansive play made them one of the most balanced outfits of the day.
Hosts Odisha, backed by vocal home support, were just as impressive. They topped their pool with emphatic 40–0 wins over both Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, using quick offloads and relentless pressure to overwhelm their opponents. Every Odisha try was greeted with loud cheers from the stands, as the home side fed off the energy of the Kalinga Stadium crowd.
Beyond the top four, the group stage also saw several strong performances. Gujarat’s 40–0 win over Telangana, Delhi’s 36–0 victory against Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal’s composed displays ensured they progressed comfortably and added further depth to the competition.
The Cup Pre-Quarterfinals, played later in the evening session, confirmed the hierarchy that had been established during the group stage. Bihar continued their relentless march by thrashing Karnataka 53–0, barely allowing their opponents to cross halfway. Rajasthan followed suit with a commanding 48–7 win over Andhra Pradesh, while Maharashtra cruised past Assam 38–0 to secure their place in the last eight.
Odisha capped off the opening day in style, defeating Jharkhand 38–7 in front of a jubilant home crowd. Their aggressive defence and sharp counter-attacks ensured they entered the quarterfinals with momentum firmly on their side.
As the dust settled on a frenetic first day, the quarterfinal lineup reflected the pedigree and consistency of India’s strongest age-group rugby programmes. The Boys’ U15 Quarterfinals, scheduled for January 21 at the Kalinga Stadium, will see four intriguing match-ups:
- Quarterfinal 1 (9:00 AM): Uttarakhand vs Rajasthan
- Quarterfinal 2 (9:20 AM): Delhi vs Odisha
- Quarterfinal 3 (9:40 AM): West Bengal vs Maharashtra
- Quarterfinal 4 (10:00 AM): Uttar Pradesh vs Bihar
With knockout rugby now on the horizon, the stakes will rise sharply as every tackle, turnover and try could define a team’s campaign. For the young athletes on display, the Sub-Junior Nationals are not just about medals, but about laying the foundation for future careers in Indian rugby.
The 10th Sub-Junior National Rugby Sevens Championship is being organised by Rugby India in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha, and the Odisha Rugby Football Association, with the Kalinga Stadium once again serving as a fitting stage for the country’s rising rugby talent.
