NEW SEASON: Bay of Plenty will open their 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign against Northland. PHOTO: FILE A_050816jb19bopBay of Plenty Rugby fans can look forward to an exciting season involving matchups with traditional rivals, including all three Chiefs Provincial Unions.
The Steamers will kick off this year's Mitre 10 Cup campaign away in Northland on Sunday, August 20 before returning home to host Hawke's Bay on Friday, August 25 at 5.45pm. The Steamers will remain on home soil, hosting Wellington on Thursday, August 31 at 7.35pm in week three.
After two consecutive away games to Manawatu on Friday, September 8 and Taranaki on Friday, September 15, week six will see the Steamers return home for their midweek fixture against Southland on Wednesday, September 20 followed by an afternoon matchup against Counties Manukau on Sunday, September 24 at 2.35pm.
Weeks seven and eight will again see the team on the road, firstly to Auckland on Saturday, September 30 and then down south to face 2016 Championship finalists Otago on Saturday, October 7.
The final scheduled home game for 2017 will be held on Saturday, October 14 when the Steamers host Waikato.