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Manawatū Rugby Union and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Դ are partnering to bring the Cyclones semifinal and the last round robin game of 2024 for the Turbos to the ������Դ Sport and Events Centre, with both games being free entry.

The Cyclones have locked in a home semifinal at ������Դ on Saturday 14 September at 2.05pm, while the Turbos will take on Counties Manukau on Saturday 5 October at 2.05pm.

While Cyclones games are normally free entry, the Turbos vs Counties game will also be free, giving fans a greater opportunity to see the team live.

Manawatū Rugby Chief Executive Doug Tietjens says taking the games to Massey will give fans a unique experience and the game a real community feel.

“We’re excited to take these Bunnings NPC and FPC games to a different, smaller venue and give our fans a different kind of game day experience. With both games being free entry, we hope to attract a wide range of fans to pack out ������Դ, especially from the student population.

“The facilities at Massey are top notch. The venue previously hosted a Turbos game in the Central Region Sevens tournament, and is regularly used by professional teams as a training base. We look forward to putting on some great events for the community and strengthening our relationship with the university.”

Massey’s Sport Advancement Manager Jacob Oram says that hosting the Cyclones and Turbos is a great way for the university to open the Manawatū campus to the wider community and showcase the world-class sporting facilities at the Sport and Events Centre. 

“The matches will be played on the same pitch that was renovated by FIFA and used by Spain as their training base during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. I have no doubt that the surface will be amazing and with free entry we are sure that the matches will be a fun, vibrant experience for all fans of Manawatū rugby.”

There will be food trucks on site and Manawatū Rugby will put on a range of activities to create a festival atmosphere.

Manawatū Rugby season members will be given priority seating for the Turbos game.