Rugby: Heartland rugby draw released

Two-time Meads Cup winners Wanganui will have the home advantage for their Heartland rugby championship season opener against South Canterbury while 2009 Lochore Cup winners North Otago play away from home against East Coast.

The championship kicks off on August 28 with the finals of the Meads and Lochore Cups scheduled for October 30.

The pools for the 2010 Heartland Championship are:

Pool A
Wanganui, South Canterbury, Horowhenua Kapiti, West Coast, King Country and Thames Valley.

Pool B
Mid Canterbury, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa Bush, North Otago, Buller and East Coast.

Draw (home teams first):

August 28
King Country v Horowhenua Kapiti, Wanganui v South Canterbury, Thames Valley v West Coast, East Coast v North Otago, Buller v Wairarapa Bush, Mid Canterbury v Poverty Bay.

September 4
Horowhenua Kapiti v Wanganui, West Coast v King Country, South Canterbury v Thames Valley, Wairarapa Bush v Mid Canterbury, North Otago v Buller, Poverty Bay v East Coast.

September 11
South Canterbury v Horowhenua Kapiti, Thames Valley v King Country, Wanganui v West Coast, East Coast v Buller, Poverty Bay v Wairarapa Bush, Mid Canterbury v North Otago.

September 18
King Country v Wanganui, West Coast v South Canterbury, Horowhenua Kapiti v Thames Valley, Buller v Mid Canterbury, Wairarapa Bush v East Coast, North Otago v Poverty Bay.

September 25
South Canterbury v King Country, Horowhenua Kapiti v West Coast, Wanganui v Thames Valley, Poverty Bay v Buller, Wairarapa Bush v North Otago, Mid Canterbury v East Coast.

- NZPA