Crossover match selections determined for 2019 Mitre 10 Cup
The first steps in creating the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup draw have been taken with representatives from the 14 Mitre 10 Cup Provincial Unions meeting to pick their opposition for crossover matches.
Waikato return to the Premiership after one season in the Championship, while Taranaki will play the 2019 season in the Championship.
Each team plays four crossover matches in the season, two home and two away.
New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Participation and Development, Steve Lancaster, said the crossover fixtures were an integral part of the Mitre 10 Cup.
“These matches form an essential part of the Mitre 10 Cup format, the ability to have crossover fixtures between Premiership and Championship teams sees the traditional rivalries maintained and those are the sort of matches that make this competition special.
“Year after year we see Championship teams upsetting the Premiership side in these matches, that was no different in the season just been.
Premiership winners Auckland only lost one match in the 2018 competition which was at the hands of Championship team Otago, while Waikato’s early wins against Premiership teams Wellington and Taranaki got their season on track and led them all the way to the final.
The four rounds of picks took place as follows (home team listed first):
1. The first round of picks are selected by Premiership teams in reverse order of seeding. These games will be played as home games for the Championship teams;
Otago v Waikato
Southland v Counties Manukwau
Manawatu v North Harbour
Bay of Plenty v Wellington
Hawke’s Bay v Tasman
Northland v Canterbury
Taranaki v Auckland
2. The second round of picks are selected by Championship teams in reverse order of seeding. These games will be played as home games for the Championship teams;
Southland v North Harbour
Manawatu v Counties Manukau
Bay of Plenty v Waikato
Northland v Auckland
Hawke’s Bay v Wellington
Otago v Canterbury
Taranaki v Tasman
3. The third round of picks are selected by Premiership teams in order of seeding. These games will be played as home games for the Premiership teams;
Auckland v Southland
Canterbury v Manawatu
Tasman v Northland
Wellington v Otago
North Harbour v Bay of Plenty
Counties Manukau v Hawke’s Bay
Waikato v Taranaki
4. The fourth round of picks are selected by Championship Teams in order of seeding. These games will be played as home games for the Premiership Teams;
Counties Manukau v Taranaki
North Harbour v Otago
Waikato v Hawke’s Bay
Wellington v Northland
Auckland v Bay of Plenty
Tasman v Manawatu
Canterbury v Southland
New Zealand Rugby will now begin work on the draw for 2019.
