The Bay of Plenty Steamers will play defending champions Tasman for their opening game this season. In contrast, the Volcanix will face off against 2020 finalists' Waikato.

The news comes with the announcement of the official Bunnings Warehouse NPC and Farah Palmer Cup draws this morning. 

The Tauranga Domain will play host to the Tasman bout, and the Bay will look to even the score against the side that beat them in last year's Premiership semi-final.

"We are excited about having Tasman on our home turf," says head coach Daryl Gibson.

"It will be a great opening challenge for the team, and we expect the boys to take it to the Mako's upfront and put on a show for the home crowd."

Meanwhile, the Volcanix prepare to call Tauranga home for the entirety of their 2021 campaign with two games at Blake Park and one at the Tauranga Domain.

"There is an obvious benefit of having two of our three home games right here at Bay of Plenty rugby HQ," says Volcanix head coach Rodney Gibbs.

"The girls train out on this field every day, and I'm sure that familiarity will play into their favour come game-day." 

Tauranga also hosts four of the five home games for the Steamers, with only the final game of the season locked in for Rotorua International Stadium. 

"The Wellington vs Steamers will be a great game for Rotorua International Stadium to host, being later in the season and with warmer weather," says Sport and Events Manager Steve Watene.

"We've managed to attract some great events for the stadium and we’re stoked to be able to add a Steamers game to the line-up.”

A later than usual draw is the primary contributor behind the two team's 3-0 and 4-1 split, with Rotorua International Stadium becoming largely unavailable due to earlier event bookings like the inaugural Youth Cup competition.

"We have been working with Bay Rugby on the new Youth Cup with twelve representative teams from the three sub unions converging on the stadium for a weekend of competition," says Watene.

"We are excited to be the host for this inaugural event." 

The official 2021 draw also includes the highly anticipated Katikati home game as the town prepares to host their second consecutive pre-season bout vs North Harbour on the 30th of July. 

Katikati Rugby Club spokesperson Liza Hodson says the event is sure to cause a massive stir amongst the locals. 

"The game in 2019 was a massive success, and we are very excited for this year," says Hodson.

"Having the Bay play right on our doorstep is a big deal, especially for our kids who get to see their heroes in action.

"We have seen an increase this year in junior rugby participation with the addition of two new teams, and initiatives like these play an integral role in stimulating the growth of the game in our regional communities."

Both the Steamers and Volcanix will endeavour to improve their 2020 campaigns, which saw them finish 3rd and 5th, respectively.

Bay of Plenty Volcanix 2021 Farah Palmer Cup Draw

Auckland v Bay of Plenty, Saturday 16th July 12.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland

Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty, Saturday 24th July, 2.05pm, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Bay of Plenty v Waikato, Saturday 31st July, 2.05pm, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

BYE - Week 4, Friday 6th August – Sunday 8th August

Canterbury v Bay of Plenty*, Saturday 14th August, 4.35pm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

Bay of Plenty v Otago, Saturday 21st August, 12.05pm, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

Bay of Plenty v Wellington*, Sunday 29th August, 12.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Semi-Finals: Friday 3 September – Sunday 5 September

Finals: Friday 10 September – Sunday 12 September

Bay of Plenty Steamers 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Draw

Bay of Plenty v Tasman, Sunday 8th August, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Southland v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 15th August, 2.05pm, Rugby Park, Invercargill

Auckland v Bay of Plenty, Saturday 21st  August, 7.05pm, Eden Park, Auckland

Bay of Plenty v Northland, Sunday 29th August, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Bay of Plenty v Waikato, Saturday 4th September, 2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Canterbury v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 12th September, 2.05pm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

Hawke’s Bay v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 19th September, 2.05pm, McLean Park, Napier

Bay of Plenty v Taranaki, Sunday 26th September, 4.35pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

Bay of Plenty v Wellington, Saturday 2nd October, 7.05pm, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty, Sunday 10th October, 4.35pm, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Semi-Finals: Friday 15th October – Saturday 16th October

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Premiership Final: Saturday 23rd October

To download the full 2021 Farah Palmer Cup draw, click here.

To download the full 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC draw, click here.

Article added: Monday 17 May 2021