Bulls draw released

Despite coronavirus delaying the start of the Mitre 10 Cup, the Taranaki Bulls’ opponents are unchanged in a revised draw released by New Zealand Rugby.

The competition was due to begin in early August but, because of the uncertainty around Covid-19 restrictions, it was pushed out by a month. It will now kick off on Friday, September 11.

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls have retained their Saturday and Sunday afternoon time slot for home games at Inglewood’s TET Stadium and Events Centre, with four out of the five games kicking off at 2.05pm; the other will start at 4.45pm. The new venue will provide a familyfriendly boutique atmosphere.

Taranaki will continue to play in four crossover matches where they will play Premiership teams. The remaining games will be against Championship sides.

Taranaki will start their campaign at home against Championship winners, now Premiership team, Bay of Plenty in the opening round on Sunday, September 13.

The Bulls will then travel south to compete for the Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury in Christchurch, the first challenge of the season on Saturday, September 19. The remaining home games will be against Otago, in a potential Ranfurly Shield challenge, on September 27, Auckland on October 10, Counties Manukau on October 31, and Hawke’s Bay in the final round on November 15.

Semifinals weekend will be played on the weekend of November 20, with finals played on November 27 for the Championship and November 28 for the Premiership final.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union chief executive Laurence Corlett said he was pleased with the draw.

‘‘I think there is real excitement in the community about playing at Inglewood this year at family-friendly kick off times. Our fans are important to us and provide great support that really lifts the team.’’

New Zealand Rugby is also working on a revised draw for the Port Taranaki Whio Farah Palmer Cup campaign. A schedule is set to be released over the coming weeks.