Rugby: Magpies to meet Turbos in opener

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich has stressed the importance of gaining early momentum. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's head coach Mark Ozich today welcomed the new-look Mitre 10 Cup format.

There will be no Wednesday night games this season and no "storm weeks" which have seen teams play three games within eight or nine days during previous seasons.

"Making the season a week longer is a good move. This will allow more coaching and development to take place as well as some respite for bodies. Common sense has prevailed," Ozich said.

Gaining promotion from the Championship to the Premiership will be Ozich and his troops' goal this season.

"If we can put ourselves in the final we will be in a position to do that and it will be an improvement from last year's semifinal finish," Ozich said.

"We've had a year together and a lot of our young talent will have had another season of experience in Super Rugby teams or wider training groups and that will help."

He stressed the importance of building momentum early like the Magpies did last year with wins against Southland and Otago in their first two matches. This season the Magpies will open their campaign with an August 11 clash against neighbours Manawatu in Palmerston North.

Their first home game will be the following week against Hurricanes region big brothers Wellington in a Friday night encounter at Napier's McLean Park. The chances of a Magpies Ranfurly Shield challenge this season are extremely slim.

The Magpies Mitre 10 Cup draw for the season is:
Sunday, August 11 4.35pm v Manawatu in Palmerston North; Friday, August 16 7.45pm v Wellington in Napier; Thursday, August 22 7.35pm v Otago in Napier; Saturday, August 31 5.05pm v Northland in Whangarei; Friday, September 6 5.45pm v Southland in Napier; Thursday, September 12 7.35pm v Waikato in Hamilton; Friday, September 20 7.35pm v Taranaki in Napier; Saturday, September 28 2.35pm v Bay of Plenty in Tauranga; Thursday, October 3 7.35pm v Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe, Saturday, October 12 2.35pm v Tasman in Napier; October 18-19 Semifinal (if qualify); Friday, October 25 7.35pm Final (if qualified).