This Saturday, the NZRL National Competition kicks off with round one of the championship on Saturday, 15 September in Takahiwai and round one of the Premiership taking place in Auckland on Sunday, 16 September.

The Canterbury Bulls will face Counties Manukau Stingrays in the early game (2pm) at Mt Smart Stadium 2, followed by a rematch of last year’s Premiership final with the defending champions Akarana Falcons, taking on Waikato at 4pm.

All Premiership games will be televised live on SKY, including the 6 October Grand-Final at Mt Smart Stadium. This will feature the Championship winners v fourth-placed premiership side in a promotion/relegation match followed by the Premiership Final.

This year’s national competition format will see the top four teams (Akarana, Counties, Canterbury and Waikato) contest the premiership title, with Auckland represented by its two NZRL zones, while winners from three qualifying pools, the Wellington Orcas, Northern Swords and Otago Whalers, will compete for the NZRL National Championship.

Team lists for this weekend:

Akarana                                                                                                                                 Waikato 

Counties Manukau                                                                                                              Canterbury 

Northern                                                                                                     Wellington