Exciting times lie ahead for Hawke’s Bay Magpies fans, with the announcement of their 2025 Bunnings NPC fixtures. This season marks a shift in the competition's format, with an earlier start on the 31st of July and an extra round added to the regular season, meaning the traditional "storm weeks" are no longer part of the schedule.

The Magpies kick off their campaign at home, taking on Counties Manukau on the 3rd of August with an afternoon kick off at 4:35. The following week, they travel south to take on Otago under the roof in Dunedin. Fans are treated to another home game in Round 3, when the Magpies face North Harbour in a primetime showdown on Saturday, 16th August, at 7:05pm.

The following week brings a massive against Canterbury on August 22nd. After going winless against the Cantabs for nearly four decades, the Magpies have flipped the script in recent times, winning three of the last four encounters since 2020. But against a proud rugby province eager to reclaim dominance, this promises to be another fierce battle.

Week five sees the Magpies head north to face the Taniwha a fixture that never fails to deliver excitement. They then return home for a blockbuster against defending champions Wellington on Saturday, 6th September. With the Lions setting the benchmark in recent seasons, this is a chance for the Magpies to make a statement in front of a roaring McLean Park crowd. This game kicks off a gruelling stretch of the season, with the Magpies set to face a tough run of fixtures in the ensuing four weeks. Expect fierce battles across the park and high stakes as both teams fight for crucial points midway through the season.

The next fixture is an away game against the Bay of Plenty Steelers, who narrowly edged out the Magpies in last season’s quarter-final with a 19-17 victory. The Magpies will be hungry for revenge in this encounter, a pivotal moment in both teams' seasons.

Following that, it’s another high-stakes matchup against Taranaki, a repeat of the 2023 Bunnings NPC final. After a disappointing outing against the Bulls last season the Magpies will be hungry to take this one back against perennial contenders in the competition.

The final home game of the season comes in Week 9, when the Magpies take on Auckland in a special Thursday night fixture on 25th September. Last season’s dramatic encounter with Auckland saw the Magpies pull off a miraculous 36-35 comeback to keep their finals hopes alive, and fans can expect more of the same when these two sides meet in 2025.

The regular season concludes on 4th October with an exciting away clash against the Manawatu Turbos, our rivals from over the Saddle Road. These encounters are always

fast-paced and full of intensity, and this one will be no different. With plenty on the line as both teams look to finish the season strong, expect a thrilling showdown to round out the campaign.

With a challenging and exciting schedule ahead, the Magpies are set to face some of the toughest teams in the competition. Fans can expect a season full of high-stakes action, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments as the team looks to make their mark in 2025.

Source: Corban Boyd

Article added: Monday 17 March 2025