Air NZ Cup returns to its roots
Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:50
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has confirmed that provincial rugby will return to the old battle grounds of Pukekohe and Nelson in this season's Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup.
NZRU has announced that Counties Manukau and Tasman will play some of their Air NZ Cup home matches at Growers Stadium and Trafalgar Park respectively.
The Steelers' day games at Growers Stadium in Pukekohe will be against Auckland on August 3, Hawke's Bay on September 14 and Manawatu on September 20.
The Makos will play two games at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, against Taranaki on August 17 and Otago on September 13. The Air NZ Cup kicks off later this month with a Thursday-Friday double double header.
On July 31, Tasman will host Bay of Plenty and Northland are at home to Waikato. Taranaki will meet North Harbour and Wellington is home to Hawke's Bay in simultaneous matches on August 1.
The schedule leaves the opening Saturday night free of Air New Zealand Cup action as the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in a Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations Test in Auckland.
Canterbury will face Manawatu, Southland take on Otago and Counties Manukau will do battle with Auckland in week one of the competition.
NZRU
