Waikato will face five Ranfurly Shield challenges during the 2013 ITM Cup, starting with their ITM Cup opener against Northland on Saturday 17 August.
Assuming Waikato defend the shield in their two pre-season challenges (vs Horowhenua-Kapiti on July 17 at Morrinsville and vs East Coast on July 30 at Ruatoria)they will put the Log o' Wood on the line at Waikato Stadium against Northland, Otago, Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki.
Waikato's away games are Canterbury, Southland, Counties Manukau, Tasman and Bay of Plenty.
The ITM Cup for 2013 has been lengthened slightly which means each team will play just one mid week game instead of two. Waikato's short turn around comes in Weeks 7 and 8 when they will face Wellington, Tasman and Bay of Plenty in the space of nine days.
