Rug up for night of rugby

It's going to be chilly at the big Shield game tonight, but not as cold as it was for this crowd at Hawke's Bay Magpies v Wairarapa Bush Ranfurly Shield defence on July 9. Photo / File

With a forecast 16C high and a dry afternoon, the stage looks set for a great game at McLean Park tonight.

Metservice has forecast a clear sky, but it is expecting a southwesterly will develop in the afternoon, bringing some more cold blasts.

However, it will not be as freezing as last week's game, which saw flurries of sleet on the field.

Jay Campbell at Magpies headquarters said they're all set to go again after last week's successful Shield defence against Wairarapa Bush.

"Ticket sales are going well and we're expecting a larger crowd as it's an evening game. The weather's looking good, but you'll have to rug up."

Mr Campbell said they're encouraging fans to get in early. Last week many arrived close to kick off and were held up by long queues for tickets.

He said it will be lovely and warm in the Chapman Pavilion, where they have a two for one $20 ticket deal.

"It'll be a really good family occasion to end the holidays with."

Also on offer is a "Splash Planet Take A Kid To Footy" deal. $25 gets an adult and one child covered seating, with additional children's tickets for $7.50.

Kids get a free goodie bag of chips, Calci-yum, a lollipop and a Magpies flag.

Mr Campbell said there were only 700 seats available and these are selling fast.

It will be the second time Hawke's Bay has fought Horowhenua-Kapiti for the Ranfurly Shield.

The first was in 1923 when the Magpies won 38-11.

Horowhenua-Kapiti have made nine challenges for the prized Log o' Wood, but have been unsuccessful. Their last attempt was in 2013 when they lost 0-85 to Waikato.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union Statistician Adrian Hill said the two teams have met 10 times since 1907, with nine wins for the Magpies, and a 6-6 draw in 1910. Their last encounter was in 1994 when Hawke's Bay won 67-22.

The event will kick off with a curtain raiser between the Clive vs Tamatea eighth-grade teams.