Two potential Ranfurly Shield defences within five days is a feature of the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's ITM Cup Championship draw.
Should the Magpies retain the shield in their three pre-Cup fixtures against Wairarapa Bush, Horowhenua-Kapiti and Mid Canterbury and then against Northland in their Cup opener and NorthHarbour in week four they will host Bay of Plenty on September 19 and Auckland on September 24. Magpies head coach Craig Philpott isn't concerned with the congested schedule.
"We're going to get short turn-arounds no matter what. This is the third draft and it differs greatly from drafts one and two ... it's definitely the best one for us," Philpott said after the draw was announced yesterday.
He is thrilled seven of the Magpies' 10 games will have 7.35pm kickoffs.
"This will give us consistency in preparation. Last year we had a whole lot of different game times and I think this will help us address the balance with our away games which is a priority for us this season," Philpott said, referring to the fact the Magpies won just one of their six away games last year.
"All but one of our away games are at 7.35pm. This means we can get our processes right hour by hour on game day."
Meanwhile Philpott confirmed a change of clubs for former Wellington prop Tolu Fahamokioa, who will arrive in the Bay next week. Fahamokioa will play for Napier Technical and not Havelock North.
