Provincial rugby draw announced

A new season, a new competition name and a new purpose. The Tasman Mako will head into the 2021 Bunnings NPC provincial rugby competition seeking a "three-peat" of premiership titles.

The 2019-20 champions face a testing draw this year, with three games in Nelson, two in Blenheim and five away fixtures.

The Mako will face Auckland, Counties-Manukau and Waikato at Trafalgar Park; Wellington and Southland at Lansdowne Park.

Tasman will play all the other six premiership sides, plus four championship teams – Southland, Counties-Manukau, North Harbour and Northland.

The action begins on August 8 when the Mako head to Tauranga to take on Bay of Plenty. The first home match, a replay of the 2020 premiership final against Auckland, is scheduled for August 14 in Nelson.

The Tasman men’s draw:

August 8 v Bay of Plenty – Tauranga

August 14 v Auckland – Nelson

August 22 v Counties-Manukau – Nelson

August 28 v North Harbour – Albany

September 4 v Canterbury – Christchurch

September 11 v Wellington – Blenheim

September 18 v Northland – Whangarei

September 24 v Waikato – Nelson

October 3 v Southland – Blenheim

October 9 v Hawke’s Bay – Napier (RS)

Semis October 16-17

Final October 24

The Tasman women’s team have a shorter schedule in the prestigious Farah Palmer Cup competition, but also face some quality opposition in the championship section.

They begin their fifth NPC campaign earlier than the men, kicking off their campaign against North Harbour on July 24 at Albany. They have two home games, one in Motueka and one at Trafalgar Park, which will be part of a double-header fixture with the Mako men on August 22.

Tasman women’s draw:

July 24 v North Harbour – Albany

July 31 v Taranaki – Inglewood

August 8 v Northland – Motueka

August 14 v Hawke’s Bay – Napier

August 22 v Manawatu – Nelson

Quarterfinals August 28-29

Semifinals September 4-5

Finals September 11-12