Rotorua set to host two Steamers games

The Bay Steamers won promotion last season and will play two home games in Rotorua this season.

Rotorua will host at least two Bay of Plenty Steamers matches in the revised Mitre 10 Cup this season.

A revised 2020 Mitre 10 Cup draw has been released by New Zealand Rugby with the competition due to kick off on Friday, September 11.

More afternoon rugby is on the cards for provincial unions with the introduction of an extra Sunday afternoon fixture in place of the Thursday evening slot.

The newly-promoted Bay of Plenty Steamers will host two evening games at the Rotorua International Stadium and three afternoon games at the Tauranga Domain.

In their first game of the season, the Steamers will travel away to face Taranaki, they then head home in week two of the competition to host Southland in their first home game on Saturday, September 19, at Rotorua International Stadium from 7.05pm.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum said with the renewed enthusiasm shown around rugby it was another important step to have confirmation of the Mitre 10 Cup calendar.

'We have seen a real surge in interest in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa in the past few weeks and have confidence that it will continue through to Mitre 10 Cup which is a special competition in our rugby landscape," says Lendrum.

'We know the provincial unions have been working hard in their preparation for this season and we are looking forward to what will be another exciting competition."

Should Ranfurly Shield-holders Canterbury come away with a win in a pre-season challenge against North Otago on 28 August, the shield will be on the line in the Mitre 10 Cup.

The Steamers will be hoping to contest for it this year, as they haven't had the chance since their challenge against Hawke's Bay in 2015.

Broadcast partners Sky have committed to broadcasting two matches a week free-to-air on Prime, extending the reach of those able to view the competition.

The Mitre 10 Cup format remains the same with a 10-week round-robin leading to semifinals for the top four teams in the premiership and championship on 20 and 21 November, with the finals the following weekend.

Kick-off times will also follow in the footsteps of changes introduced in Investec Super Rugby with traditional 7.35pm fixtures now set for kick-off at 7.05pm.

Consultation with New Zealand Rugby and Provincial Unions to finalise the Farah Palmer Cup schedule is currently underway, with the aim of as many double header fixtures with Mitre 10 Cup as possible.

2020 Bay of Plenty Steamers Mitre 10 Cup Draw

Round 1: Taranaki v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 13th September, 2.05pm, TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

Round 2: Bay of Plenty v Southland, Saturday 19th September, 7.05pm, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Round 3: Wellington v Bay of Plenty, Friday 25th September, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Round 4: Bay of Plenty v Auckland, Friday 2nd October, 7.05pm, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Round 5: Tasman v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 11th October, 2.05pm, Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Round 6: Manawatu v Bay of Plenty, Saturday 17th October, 2.05pm, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

Round 7: Bay of Plenty v Canterbury, Saturday 24th October, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Round 8: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay, Sunday 1st November, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Round 9: Waikato v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 8th November, 2.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Round 10: Bay of Plenty v North Harbour, Sunday 15th November, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

SEMIFINALS: Friday 20 November – Saturday 21 November

FINALS: Friday 27 November and Saturday 28 November

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.