Mako schedule released

The Tasman Mako men have landed five exciting home fixtures among their 10 2025 fixtures.

As usual, three of the home matches will be played at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park, with two coming to Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park.

The Marlborough matches are against Auckland on Sunday, September 7, with a 4.35pm kick-off, and then against Waikato at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, September 20, with a 7.05pm kick-off.

Nelson host Manawatu on Saturday, August 9 (4.35pm kick-off), Otago at 7.05pm on Saturday, August 30 and Counties Manukau in their final round robin match at 2.05pm on Sunday, October 5.

They face five testing away matches – Bay of Plenty on August 3, Northland on August 16, North Harbour on August 23, Canterbury on September 14 and Southland on September 26.

After their Ranfurly Shield heroics of last season the Mako will be keeping a close on the first NPC round challenge of the season – holders Taranaki defending the Log against Northland in round one.

If the Taniwha win, they will attempt to defend the Shield against Southland the following weekend then, if they hold on to it, Tasman will challenge them at home a week later.

Women’s draw

On Tuesday the Tasman women’s team’s 2025 Farah Palmer Cup round robin schedule was unveiled.

The Mako will play three home games among their five fixtures, all double-headers prior to men’s clashes. They open their campaign against Wellington Pride at Trafalgar Park on Saturday, August 9, kick off 2.05pm, then play away games against Northland Kauri and Taranaki Whio before returning to Nelson for a clash with Otago Spirit on Saturday, August 30, kick off 4.35pm.

They conclude their qualifying campaign with a match in Blenheim, against North Harbour Hibiscus on Sunday, September 7, kick off 2.05pm.