McGahan gets the match underway

The teams are out on the field, kick off is just moments away

Welcome to Ultimate Rugby’s coverage of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Premiership side North Harbour host Championship side Counties Manukau in the opening fixture of the competition.
North Harbour has had an excellent pre-season with victories over Northland, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, whereas Counties went down to Taranaki while defeating Samoa A and pushing the All Blacks in the game of three halves.
Head to head these teams have met on 30 occasions, with North Harbour winning 15 times to Counties 13 with two draws.
The last match was back in 2013 with Counties emerging comfortable 44-14 victors.