News

A new era for the PIC Counties Manukau Steelers will kick off on Saturday, August 8 when Mitre 10 Cup Premiership champions, Tasman, come to Pukekohe for the start of the 2020 season.

New Zealand Rugby has today unveiled the new Mitre 10 Cup draw and for recently appointed Steelers head coach Tai Lavea, week one’s clash against the highly-rated Makos looms large on the horizon.

The Steelers will host the match at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe with kick-off scheduled for 4:35pm.

It will be the side’s only home game on a Saturday in 2020 but with two Sunday games scheduled – against Northland and Wellington - Steelers fans have plenty to look forward to.

Other games confirmed for Navigation Homes stadium include a Friday night clash with Manuwatu on August 28 before Counties Manukau play host to Southland on the final Thursday night of the regular season.

Road trips to Napier, Hamilton, Dunedin, Inglewood and North Harbour have also been confirmed.

Lavea, who was appointed as Steelers coach late last year, said he was counting down the days until the start of the new Mitre 10 Cup season.

“The coaching group and I are really excited about this year’s campaign,” he said.

“We are really happy with the draw we’ve been handed and to have three home games in the first four weeks is huge.

“We will be working hard through the pre-season to be ready for that first-up game against the Makos and will be encouraging our fans to help pack Navigation Homes Stadium out for week one.”

Season memberships for the 2020 season and individual tickets to games in Pukekohe are expected to go on-sale in late March.

 2020 MITRE 10 Cup Draw

As at 27 February 2020

 All details are subject to change, home team is listed first.

(RS) Ranfurly Shield match.