The 2015 ITM Cup draw has been released and will see the Manawatū Turbos take on Counties Manakau in their first premiership game.
The Turbos will travel away to Pukekohe in the first round before returning to Palmerston North for their first home game in the premiership vs. Waikato on Saturday August 22.
The Turbos will then travel south to face Tasman before hosting Canterbury in Palmerston North.
The "green and white" team will play an even split of five home games and five away games, due to the competition's make up.
In addition to the home game against Waikato, games against Canterbury, Northland, North Harbour and Taranaki, will be played at Arena One.
Away games will be played at Pukekohe, Auckland, Invercargill and Wellington. The venue for the game against Tasman has not yet been confirmed.
The face off for the Turbos against Wellington will see the Manawatū team attempt to defend the Centennial Cup.
Manawatū Turbos head coach Jason O'Hollaran is excited about the draw and to be hosting Canterbury and Taranaki in Palmerston North.
"It's a good draw, it's good to be hosting the likes of Canterbury and Taranaki at home which should be a great challenge for the team
"The draw is certainly a lot more balanced and it is good to see teams, including ourselves with schedules that they can really build a routine around," said O'Halloran.
The only team missing from this year's equation is old foe, 2014 runner up and current Ranfurly Shield holders Hawke's Bay. The Turbos coaching staff would not have had the ability to choose to play Hawke's Bay as that right rested with the Magpies.
"It's unfortunate that we won't be playing Hawke's Bay this year as it is one of the more exciting rivalries in the competition," said Manawatū Rugby chief executive John Knowles.
"But we are still looking forward to what will be another action packed season of Turbos rugby."
The Turbos will kick off their campaign on Sunday August 16 at 2:35pm versus Counties Manakau at Pukekohe. Team memberships are on sale now at turbosrugby.co.nz.
MANAWATŪ TURBOS 2015 DRAW
Counties Manakau vs. Manawatū Turbos - Sunday August 16, 2.35pm - ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Manawatū Turbos vs. Waikato - Sunday August 22, 2.35pm - Arena One, Palmerston North
Tasman Makos vs. Manawatū Turbos - Thursday August 27, 7.35pm - TBA, Nelson/Marlborough
Manawatū Turbos vs. Canterbury - Thursday September 3, 7.35pm - Arena One, Palmerston North
Auckland vs. Manawatū Turbos - Wednesday September 9, 7.35pm - Eden Park, Auckland
Manawatū Turbos vs. Northland - Sunday September 13, 4.35pm - Arena One, Palmerston North
Southland vs. Manawatū Turbos - Saturday September 19, 5.35pm - Rugby Park, Invercargill
Manawatū Turbos vs. North Harbour - Saturday September 26, 7.35pm - Arena One, Palmerston North
Manawatū Turbos vs. Taranaki - Saturday October 3, 5.35pm - Arena One, Palmerston North
Wellington Lions vs. Manawatū Turbos - Saturday October 10, 5.35pm - Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Manawatū Turbos home games are in green.
Source: Press Release - Manawatū Rugby Union
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