Nelson to host three Mako games

The Tasman Mako men have landed five home games among their nine 2025 fixtures.

As usual, three of the home matches will be played at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park, with two going to Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park.

Nelson host Manawatu on Saturday, August 9 (4.35pm kick-off), Otago at 7.05pm on Saturday, August 30 and Counties Manukau in their final round robin match at 2.05pm on Sunday, October 5.

The Marlborough matches are against Auckland on Sunday, September 7, with a 4.35pm kick-off, and then against Waikato at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, September 20, with a 7.05pm kick-off.

They face four testing away matches – Bay of Plenty on August 3, Northland on August 16, North Harbour on August 23 and Canterbury on September 14.

After their Ranfurly Shield heroics of last season the Mako will be keeping a close on the first NPC round challenge of the season – holders Taranaki defending the Log against Northland in round one.

If the Taniwha win, they will defend the Shield against Southland the following weekend then, if they hold on to it, they take on Tasman at home a week later.