Makos kick off against Lions

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

SEASON OPENER: The Tasman Makos start their 2010 ITM Cup campaign with a match against the Wellington Lions.

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The Tasman Makos have drawn last year's beaten finalists, the Wellington Lions, in the opening game of this year's ITM Cup, formerly the Air New Zealand Cup, in the capital on Sunday, August 1.

Their second match is also away from home, against Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium on Friday, August 6, at 7.35pm.

Other features of the draw for the Makos, released yesterday by the New Zealand Rugby Union, were a rare day match at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim against Bay of Plenty, with kickoff 4.30pm on Sunday, October 10.

Marlborough hosts two other matches – against Hawke's Bay on Thursday, August 12, at 7.35pm and Southland on Friday, August 27, at 7.35pm. There are four matches at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, including a game against current champions Canterbury on Saturday, August 21, at 2.35pm and the first night game at the ground since the competition started in 2006, against North Harbour at 7.35pm on Saturday, September 18.

The other matches at Trafalgar Park are against Otago on Sunday, September 12, at 2.35pm and Northland on Friday, October 15, at 7.35pm.

Makos coach Kieran Keane said he was generally happy with the draw. "It's pretty good. Probably couldn't have hoped for any better.

"The turnaround times are contentious, but we can only do what we can do. It's a fair draw all round."

As for drawing Wellington first up, Keane said, "It's a tough one, but probably better to get the big guns early. Not unhappy about that. We'll find out where we are quickly."

The coach is also happy with the 4-3 home match split in Nelson's favour. He said bigger crowd numbers in Nelson made it financial common sense to have it that way this year.

Tasman chief executive Peter Barr said having four games in Nelson was always on the cards, given the fact that Nelson had hosted fewer games overall in the union's five-year history to date.

He said the lights at Trafalgar Park were being upgraded for the ITM Cup competition, and the 4-3 match home split between Nelson and Marlborough would be assessed on an annual basis, although under the future two-pool format from next year, there would be an even three game each split on alternate years.

Meanwhile, Barr confirmed yesterday that Nelson utility back Tom Marshall was the latest player to sign for the Makos.

A highly promising centre-midfield back, Marshall is the younger brother of Makos first five-eighth James Marshall.

Another significant signing is expected to be announced soon.

MAKOS DRAW

Sunday, August 1 v Wellington at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, 4.35pm. Friday, August 6 v Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth, 7.35pm. Thursday, August 12 v Hawke's Bay at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim, 7.35pm. Saturday, August 21 v Canterbury at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, 2.35pm. Friday, August 27 v Southland at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim, 7.35pm. Thursday, September 2 v Counties Manukau at Bayer Growers Stadium in Pukekohe, 7.35pm. Sunday, September 12 v Otago at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, 2.35pm. Saturday, September 18 v North Harbour at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, 7.35pm. Saturday, September 25 v Waikato at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, 7.35pm. Sunday, October 3 v Manawatu at FMG Stadium at Palmerston North, 2.35pm. Sunday, October 10 v Bay of Plenty at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim, 4.35pm. Friday, October 15 v Northland at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, 7.35pm. Sunday, October 24 v Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland, 2.35pm.

- The Marlborough Express