After the hurt of losing in the 96^th minute of a 100 min final last year, the Steamers kick off their 2025 Bunnings NPC campaign with plenty of fire in their bellies to go that one final step.

NZ Rugby have released the 2025 NPC draw and the Steamers open with a chance to redeem themselves after last year’s Blenheim night match was ambushed by a thunderstorm 20 mins before kickoff, that caused power outages, a delayed kick off with heavy rain and wet conditions. A 2.05pm kick off on a cool Tauranga winter’s day (Sunday 3rd August) seems like a far nicer place to play.

The Steamers have elected to host 4 games in Tauranga this season, 1 more than has been in recent years, with only Southland being hosted on Thursday 21^st August 7.05pm kick off at Rotorua International Stadium.  With NZ Rugby finally listening to feedback on how tough the STORM week was and doing away with it, a Thursday night kick off was the solution.

Also looming on the Steamers horizon is a potential Ranfurly Shield challenge against current holders Taranaki on Sunday 7^th September 2.05pm in New Plymouth.  The Bulls will have to see off challenges from both Northland and Waikato for this to align.

The Steamers will also be joined by our Volcanix Wahine Toa for two home double headers.  The first is on Saturday 16^th August at Tauranga, where the Steamers host Canterbury at 2.05pm and the Volcanix host Manawatu, kickoff 11.35am.

The second is a double “Double Header”.  On Saturday 13^th September, both the Steamers (2.05pm) and the Volcanix (11.35am) will host Hawkes Bay in a “Double Battle of the Bays” clash at Tauranga Domain.

The Steamers’ last home game at the Tauranga Domain is against Waikato on Sunday 28^th September 2.05pm kick off.

BOPRU Board Chairman Scott Kahle comments, “We are extremely excited about this year’s Bunnings NPC draw.  Off the back of last year’s amazing season, this year’s draw presents some opportunities for us, both from a team point of view and commercially. A potential Ranfurly Shield challenge in mid-season is exciting.  A double double header against old foes Hawkes Bay will be an exciting prospect. Hosting Tasman, Southland and Waikato are all exciting fixtures. 
 

Steamers Head Coach Richard Watt comments, "We are really looking forward to building on the success of the last season. I'm sure the players will use the disappointment of losing the final last year to fuel their hunger to reach that game again this year. This will give them every opportunity to create some history for the province in 2025."

Full list of 2025 Bunnings Warehouse NPC fixtures:

1. Sunday 3rd August 2.05pm vs Tasman at Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
2. Sundat10^th August 2.05pm vs Counties Manukau at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
3. Saturday 16^th August 2.05pm vs Canterbury at Tauranga Domain (Double Header with Volcanix playing Manawatu at 11.35am)
4. Thursday 21st August 7.05pm vs Southland at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
5. Friday 29^th August 7.05pm vs North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium, Albany
6. Sunday 7^th September 2.05pm vs Taranaki at Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth (Potential Shield Game)
7. Saturday 13^th September 2.05pm vs Hawkes Bay at Tauranga Domain (Double Header with Volcanix playing Hawkes Bay at 11.35am)
8. Sunday 21^st September 4.35pm vs Manawatū at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
9. Sunday 28^th September 2.05pm vs Waikato at Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
10. Saturday 4^th October 2.05pm vs Wellington at Venue TBC

Article added: Monday 24 March 2025