Rugby: Rotorua gets extra match

Anticipated problems getting resource consent have bumped the Bay of Plenty Steamers' ITM Cup home clash with Auckland from Mt Maunganui to Rotorua.

The September 14 game against Auckland was flagged for Baypark Stadium but will now be played at Rotorua International Stadium after issues around traffic management were deemed too prohibitive to accommodate the 6.05pm kickoff.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers yesterday confirmed the Steamers' home draw in the ITM Cup, with the side playing three of its home games at Baypark and two at Rotorua International Stadium.

Bay of Plenty will kick off their ITM Cup premiership campaign at home against Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki on August 25 at Baypark, with the side back at home five days later against financially-troubled Otago in Rotorua.

Rogers was comfortable with the home game allocation, which he said was worked out using an established criteria which looked at forecast financial return, crowd support, venue availability and cost and where they'd played opposition in the past.

The Auckland game was an almost automatic candidate for Rotorua given it was scheduled for a Friday at 6.05pm.

"There were challenges around the kickoff time and they were the same challenges we had last year when we were scheduled to play Canterbury at 6.05pm on a Tuesday. An early [evening] kickoff and getting resource consent to play at Baypark is an issue for us."

Rogers said traffic was the main issue, with Sky Television and the New Zealand Rugby Union last year agreeing to move the Canterbury game back two hours so it could be played at Baypark.

"Our main area of concern is the roundabouts at Baypark [which sit in State Highway 29]. We did some modelling last year with help from a consultant and the feedback was it was too challenging [to expect to get resource consent] with the traffic flows at that time of day. The best fit was Rotorua where we don't have the same restrictions."

Bay of Plenty requested Saturday or Sunday afternoon kickoffs for all five of its home games and had been given two, which was something they would have to live with, Rogers said.

"Afternoon games are optimal for us in terms of our connection to our community and youth, especially when club rugby finishes. The draw is going to be challenging, as it will be for a number of other teams trying to attract a crowd with a short turnaround of games in some cases. Hopefully the weather plays its part."

Bay of Plenty will also be on the road before the ITM Cup, playing all three of its pre-season games in the province.

The Steamers take on Hawke's Bay in Whakatane on August 8, the Wasps in Rotorua on August 14 and North Harbour at Moore Park in Katikati on August 17, a game that was shelved last season when Harbour pulled out over concerns about paying second string players a match fee.

Bay of Plenty is selling season membership packages - Baypark Feel the Force (all three Baypark ITM Cup games), Rotorua Give it a Try (two games in Rotorua), Family Pack (all five ITM Cup games for a family of five) and the Ultimate season membership (all five ITM Cup home games).