More triple headers at NRL venues, a City versus Country Round and better alignment with the Junior Representative competitions are just three of the new features of the 2013 VB NSW Cup draw.

The NSWRL has today released the full season draw with the competition consisting of a 26-week regular season, representative round, a four week Final Series and a Grand Final at ANZ Stadium.

“A lot of work has been put into this year’s draw and it is something we are very proud of,” NSWRL General Manager, Geoff Carr, said.

“We believe it will give the VB NSW Cup the best platform to build on the success it built in season 2012.

“There are some great matchups in there including the first Round game between new rivals Newcastle and Wyong.”

The competition is set down to begin on Saturday March 9 with the first game at Parramatta Stadium between Parramatta’s and Canberra’s feeder sides, Wentworthville and Mounties.

At 3pm the Auckland Vulcans travel to Brookvale to take on Manly and last year’s premiers Newtown head down to WIN Stadium in Wollongong to play the Cutters.

Meanwhile, at Toyota Stadium on Sunday, Sharks fans will be treated to three grades on one day as the Sharks VB NSW Cup team takes to the field against the newly formed Wests Tigers side.

Finally, at 3pm in Wyong, Coach Paul Stringer and Assistant Coach Matt Orford will steer competition newcomers, the Wyong Roos, in their first local derby with the Newcastle Knights at Morrie Breen Oval.