Taonga on the line at home

applying THE brakeS: Ngati Porou East Coast players try to stop Poverty Bay prop Nehe Papuni in a local derby. The Coast and the Bay start their 2022 Heartland campaigns on August 20.File picture by Paul Rickard

POVERTY Bay will defend the Bill Osborne Taonga for the first time against Wairarapa Bush in Gisborne on August 27.

The 2022 Heartland Championship draw was released yesterday and this year's competition will feature the added attraction of the Taonga — the “Ranfurly Shield” of provincial rugby at this level.

The Taonga, named in honour of the 16-test All Black and current New Zealand Rugby president, was introduced at the end of the 2021 Heartland season.

Poverty Bay and Mid Canterbury were the first teams to contest it in the playoff for fifth and sixth held in Gisborne.

The Bay triumphed 33-26 at home to become the inaugural holders.

The Taonga goes on the line each time the holders have a home game.

Poverty Bay's first home appearance is against the Bush at Rugby Park on August 27. The Bush were 10th on the 12-province table last year.

If the Bay repel that challenge their next defence is certain to be a cracker — a local derby against traditional rivals Ngāti Porou East Coast.

The Bay start their Heartland campaign against King Country in Te Kuiti on August 20.

They have home games against Wairarapa Bush, the Coast, Whanganui and Thames Valley.

Ngāti Porou East Coast start the season against Horowhenua Kapiti in Ruatoria. Whakarua Park will also host Whanganui, West Coast and Wairarapa Bush.

The Meads Cup (top four) and Lochore Cup (fifth to eighth) semis are on October 15 and the finals are the weekend of October 22-23.

South Canterbury are the Meads Cup reigning champions.