Rugby: Counties Manukau first tough challenge

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union released the NPC and Ranfurly Shield draws yesterday, although the dates for the shield defences against two second and one third-division teams have not been confirmed.

Hawkes Bay, Thames Valley and Wairarapa Bush are the lower-ranked sides who have won the right to challenge.
Holders at the start of a season are required to accept at least two challenges from second and/or third-division sides. Those challenges are unlikely to cause Waikato -- who will be under the new coaching partnership of Kiwi Searancke and Ian Foster -- too much trouble, and the Counties Manukau clash on August 21 should be their first major defence.

The other defences are against Taranaki, Wellington and national champions Otago, the final scheduled challenge.
The NPC first division opens with Auckland playing Wellington under the new lights at Eden Park, on Black Friday, August 13.

Auckland will play two other matches under their new lights, against Southland on a Saturday and Waikato on a Friday.