Makos' schedule released

Trafalgar Park will host four of the Tasman Makos' seven home games in this season's ITM Cup national provincial competition, including their fourth-round match against the champion Canterbury side.

The New Zealand Rugby Union announced yesterday that New Zealand-owned building suppliers' co-operative ITM will sponsor the premier national provincial competition from this year through to 2012. ITM takes over the sponsorship from Air New Zealand, which has decided to focus on supporting the All Blacks.

The union also released the competition draw for the 2010 ITM Cup.

Nelson is set to host Tasman's match against Canterbury on Saturday, August 21 at 2.35pm; their seventh-round match against Otago on Sunday, September 12 at 2.35pm; their eighth-round clash with North Harbour on Saturday, September 18 at 7.35pm; and their 12th-round match against Northland on Friday, October 15, also at 7.35pm.

The Makos' remaining three home games will be played at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park, starting with Hawke's Bay in round three on Thursday, August 12 (7.35pm), Southland in round five on Friday, August 27 (7.35pm), and Bay of Plenty in round 11 on Sunday, October 10 (4.35pm).

The competition starts on July 29 when Taranaki play Northland in New Plymouth. Otago will get the first opportunity to play Southland for the Ranfurly Shield, in Invercargill on August 7. Tasman's full draw is:

Round one - Sunday August 1 v Wellington at Wellington (4.35pm); round two - Friday August 6 v Taranaki at New Plymouth (7.35pm); round three - Thursday August 12 v Hawke's Bay at Blenheim (7.35pm); round four - Saturday August 21 v Canterbury at Nelson (2.35pm); round five - Friday August 27 v Southland at Blenheim (7.35pm); round six - Thursday September 2 v Counties-Manukau at Pukekohe (7.35pm); round seven - Sunday September 12 v Otago at Nelson (2.35pm); round eight - Saturday September 18 v North Harbour at Nelson (7.35pm); round nine - Saturday September 25 v Waikato at Hamilton (7.35pm); round 10 - Sunday October 3 v Manawatu at Palmerston North (2.35pm); round 11 - Sunday October 10 v BOP at Blenheim (4.35pm); round 12 - Friday October 15 v Northland at Nelson (7.35pm); round 13 - Sunday October 24 v Auckland at Auckland (2.35pm).

- © Fairfax NZ News