Bulls to play home games in afternoon

The Taranaki rugby side will play all its home games in the afternoon in this Mitre 10 Cup contest because the lights at its Inglewood home ground are not up to scratch.

TET Stadium in Inglewood will be the home of the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls this season, as work on earthquake-prone Yarrow Stadium is due to commence in June. However, the venue’s lights do not meet broadcast quality standards for evening matches so all five home games will be on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon kicking off at 2.05pm.

The draw for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup was announced by New Zealand Rugby yesterday and will see the Bulls play five home and five away games, including a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in round two. The Bulls will play in four cross-over matches where they will play Premiership teams and the remaining games will be against Championship sides.

Taranaki will start their Mitre 10 Cup campaign at home against Championship winners, now Premiership side, Bay of Plenty, on August 9. Five days later, they play Canterbury in Christchurch. The last time these two teams met in a Shield match was in 2017 where Taranaki were involved in a historic Ranfurly Shield comeback and took the Log ‘o Wood.

At the end of August, Taranaki host Otago, in a potential Ranfurly Shield match, and then are away to Northland on a Friday night.

For the third time in a row, Auckland travel to Taranaki in early September.

The Bulls then have two consecutive matches away to Southland and Waikato in the middle of September before hosting Counties Manukau.

The remaining two matches for Taranaki are against Manawatu¯ away and Hawke’s Bay in Inglewood.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls head coach Willie Rickards is looking forward to daytime rugby in Inglewood. ‘‘Our fans are important and provide great support that really lifts the team. We are hoping they support the Bulls at Inglewood this year at more family-friendly times.’’

Taranaki Rugby chief executive Laurence Corlett said he appreciated the support from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) during the draw formation process.

‘‘Obviously, we can’t play night rugby at home but daytime, weekend rugby will be fantastic for families and farmers who are around where our games are played.’’

In the lead-up to the Mitre 10 Cup, Taranaki will play three pre-season matches against Manawatu¯ , Auckland and Waikato.

Full Draw

Taranaki v Bay of Plenty at TET Stadium, 2.05pm. Canterbury v Taranaki (RS) at Orangetheory Stadium, 7.05pm. Taranaki v Otago at TET Stadium, 2.05pm. Northland v Taranaki at Northland Events Centre, 7.05pm. Taranaki v Auckland at

TET Stadium, 2.05pm.

Southland v Taranaki at Rugby Park, 4.35pm.

Waikato v Taranaki at FMG Stadium Waikato, 7.05pm.

Taranaki v Counties at TET Stadium, 2.05pm. Manawatu¯ v Taranaki at Central Energy Trust Arena, 7.05pm.

Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay at TET Stadium, 2.05pm. semifinal weekend. finals weekend.