Domestic rugby is set to ramp up this year, with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announcing the Bunnings Warehouse NPC draw for 2023.

Family-friendly kick off times are a focus on this year’s competition, with 46 of the 77 games to be played at afternoon and early evening times. The first match of the season will see Tasman go up against Otago in a South Island derby on Friday 4 August at 5.35PM, in Nelson.

NZR General Manager of Community Rugby Steve Lancaster is pleased to see a large proportion of matches kicking off earlier, providing rugby fans and their whanau with more opportunities to support their provincial teams.

To view the full Bunnings Warehouse NPC 2023 draw click here

This year’s competition format sees all 14-teams represented in a single points table, with the top eight teams progressing to the play-offs. The quarterfinals see the top ranked team hosting (1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5), the following weekend semi-finals will see team’s play-off for a spot in the finals (1 v 4, 2 v 3).

Bay of Plenty Steamers 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Draw
Round One: Steamers v Auckland, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Sunday 6 August, 2.05pm
Round Two: Steamers v Waikato, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Saturday 12 August, 2.05pm
Round Three: Counties Manukau v Steamers, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, Friday 18 August, 7.05pm
Round Four: Taranaki v Steamers, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, Saturday 26 August, 4.35pm
Round Five: Steamers v Otago, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, Saturday 2 September, 2.05pm
Round Six: Hawke’s Bay v Steamers, McLean Park, Napier, Saturday 9 September, 4.35pm
Round Seven: Steamers v Wellington, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, Sunday 17 September, 2.05pm
Round Eight: Northland v Steamers, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, Friday 22 September, 7.05pm
                         Southland v Steamers, Rugby Park, Invercargill, Wednesday 27 September, 7.05pm
Round Nine: Steamers v Tasman, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Sunday 1 October, 2.05pm
Quarter Finals: 6-8 October
Semi-Finals: 13-14 October
Grand Final: Saturday 21 October

Home game tickets will be available to purchase online from July.

Article added: Wednesday 22 March 2023