BNZ Crusaders to kick off 2017 season at home
The BNZ Crusaders will host the Brumbies at AMI Stadium on Saturday 25 February to kick off their 2017 season.
In the first season under new Head Coach Scott Robertson, the BNZ Crusaders will also host games against the Blues, Force, Sunwolves, Stormers, and will play both at home and away against the Hurricanes and Highlanders. Their remaining away games are against the Reds, Waratahs, Cheetahs, Bulls, Chiefs and Rebels.
It will be the second season for the 17-round, four-conference tournament structure that sees each team play 15 matches and have two byes. As in 2016 each team will play six matches within its own conference and nine matches against other conference teams.
The 2017 June Test window and in particular the British & Irish Lions series in New Zealand has an impact on the match schedule. Fixtures in early June and July have therefore been scheduled around the various June Tests and the matches between the British and Irish Lions and the five New Zealand Super Rugby teams.
BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said the 2017 draw promised plenty of excitement for fans: “This competition just gets more competitive every year and there is no doubt that 2017 will be full of more superb quality rugby. We have some exciting games at home to look forward to, including playing our first ever game against the Japanese Sunwolves. That game will be played on Good Friday, so we hope that supporters from across the Crusaders region will use the long weekend to come along and welcome to the Sunwolves to Christchurch for the first time.
“One of the highlights is bound to be the afternoon game against the Highlanders on 3 June. There is a great history and rivalry between the ‘red and blacks’ and ‘blue and golds’, including such memorable games as the Super Rugby Grand Final of 1999 and the legendary Ranfurly Shield challenge between Canterbury and Otago in 1994, so this is a great chance for fans young and old to come along and be a part of the latest chapter between these teams.
“With the British and Irish Lions also playing the Crusaders in the June window, we have got a thrilling year of rugby to look forward to!”
The full draw can be viewed here.
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