Rugby: Counties Manukau kick off season with Karaka-Bombay battle

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Counties Manukau premier club rugby hits the ground running today with a replay of the 2014 McNamara Cup final to whet the punters' appetites.

Karaka host Bombay in a Challenge Cup first round fixture which doubles as a Counties Power Cup challenge. Bombay holds both the Power Cup and the McNamara Cup after breaking a 25-year drought last season.

Darryl Suasua was head coach in 2014 but is stepping back as former Steelers physio Jeff Marr takes the head coaching reins, with former Manu Samoa captain Semo Sititi assisting.

Bombay is dealing with several injuries so will not be at full strength today, but Suasua is hoping for a good start.

"The best approach is to go and play for it again rather than [defend the title]. But Karaka always produces very good players and have a strong roster. They were the form team through last season," said Suasua.

In other enticing fixtures today, Pukekohe travel to Patumahoe for a fiercely contested local derby, Papakura and Drury clash in a northern union derby, Manurewa host Weymouth and Ardmore-Marist face Waiuku.

The Challenge Cup sees 11 rounds before the top eight move into the McNamara Cup second round.

• The Auckland Rugby Union has slightly rejigged its pre-season competition, which also kicks off today. The top eight from 2014 will play in the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup quarter-finals, all being played at Waitemata Park. Defending Cup holders Ponsonby face Manukau Rovers and Gallaher Shield champions University face College Rifles.