Mitre 10 Cup: Thursday games scrapped as part of revised schedule

Will Jordan.
Tasman are the defending Mitre 10 Cup champions. Photo credit: Getty

A revised Mitre 10 Cup draw has been released today by NZ Rugby (NZR), with Thursday night games scrapped. 

More afternoon rugby is on the cards, with the Thursday night games being moved to Sunday afternoon, following the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa's fixtures. 

There will be two games with 2:05pm kick-offs and the usual 4.35pm kick off. 

The traditional 7:35pm fixtures have also changed to 7:05pm. Two matches each week will also be shown free-to-air, but it's unclear if they'll be live or delayed. 

"We have seen a real surge in interest in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa in the past few weeks and have confidence that it will continue through the Mitre 10 Cup which is a special competition in our rugby landscape," says NZR's head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum.

"We know the Provincial Unions have been working hard in their preparation for this season and we are looking forward to what will be another exciting competition," said Lendrum.

There is more hope people will attend Sunday afternoon games.
There is more hope people will attend Sunday afternoon games. Photo credit: Photosport

The tournament begins one month later than usual, following the disruption to sport caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with North Harbour hosting Canterbury in Albany in the opening game of the season on September 11.

The competition will follow a 10-week round robin format, with both a championship and premiership division, with the finals on November 27 and 28.

The Ranfurly Shield will officially go on the line in August with one pre-season challenge for holders Canterbury against Meads Cup champions North Otago on August 28.

Should Canterbury defend the shield, it will be put on the line again against Taranaki, Wellington, Waikato, Otago and Auckland during the Mitre 10 Cup season. 

Meanwhile, a consultation is still in progress to see a women's Farah Palmer Cup be played this year, with the aim of as many double header fixtures with Mitre 10 Cup as possible.

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