Auckland rugby league set to kick off

The 2008 Lion Red Premiership Preliminary Series kicks off on Saturday 29 March and to launch, defending Fox Memorial Premiers Manurewa take on Richmond Bulldogs (2007 titleholders) for the Stormont Shield, the first major peice of silverware on the line for the 2008 season.

16 teams compete in 1 full round for the right to qualify for the Lion Red Fox Memorial Premiership. The top 8 placed teams at the end of the Preliminary Series will qualify to the Fox with the remaining 8 teams moving to the SAS Sharman Cup.

The 2008 teams are:

Bay Roskill Vikings East Coast Bays Barracudas Ellerslie Eagles Glenora Bears Howick Hornets Mangere East Hawks Manurewa Marlins Marist Saints Mt Albert Lions Northcote Tigers Otahuhu Leopards Pakuranga Jaguars Papakura Sea Eagles Ponsonby Ponies Richmond Bulldogs Te Atatu Roosters