News

A host of afternoon kick-offs await the Counties Manukau PIC Steelers in this year’s Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship.

The PIC Steelers will help open the season when they face Manawatu in Palmerston North on Friday August 6 at 7.05pm.

The first home match at Navigation Homes Stadium is a week later against North Harbour in what will be dubbed “ladies round” with the Counties Power Heat also in action that day.

The PIC Steelers have back-to-back road fixtures against reigning champions Tasman and Southland before returning home for a week five clash with Taranaki on Sunday September 5 with a 2.05pm kick-off. That will be a Father’s Day and club round theme.

On the back of a trip to Whangarei in week six, the PIC Steelers host Otago in week seven at 4.35pm on Sunday September 19.

They back that up by hosting neighbours Auckland in an eagerly-awaited week eight clash from 4.35pm on Saturday September 25, which will be known as “legacy round” with past players being celebrated.

Tai Lavea’s side will travel to Christchurch in week nine before a final round home fixture back in Pukekohe against Bay of Plenty on Sunday October 10 at 4.35pm. The final home game will be known as “kids day out” and will be themed for kids.

The Counties Power Heat kick-off their Farah Palmer Cup campaign against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday July 17.

Their first home match is Saturday July 24 against Bay of Plenty and they then host Otago at Navigation Homes Stadium a week later.

They begin August with a Sunday afternoon game in the capital before tackling Auckland on Friday August 13 in the home double-header with the PIC Steelers.

The Counties Power Heat finish their regular season campaign on the road in Hamilton against Waikato on Saturday August 21 and have the bye in the final week before the semi-finals start on September 3.

“We are happy with the family friendly weekend afternoon matches,” CMRFU chief executive Aaron Lawton said. “After a stop-start 2020 season we are excited to fill Navigation Homes Stadium with our rugby people and are looking forward to elevating our game day experiences.”