Revamped ITM Cup set for lift-off
With Super Rugby wrapped up, there's no rest for the wicked as New Zealand's domestic showpiece gets ready for kick-off.
With Super Rugby wrapped up, there's no rest for the wicked as New Zealand's domestic showpiece gets ready for kick-off.
Thirteen rounds over eight weeks, a new competition format and the Ranfurly Shield once again on the line – this year's ITM Cup is set for an intense, action-packed season with games on every night of the week apart from Mondays.
This year, the original 14-team competition is split into two divisions with the top seven finishers of 2010 playing against one another in the 'Premiership' while the rest battle it out in the 'Championship' – more like first division and second division.
But there's a twist!
A Premiership side will play the other six teams in their group as well as four teams from the Championship in “crossover” matches which carry full competition points.
Promotion and relegation are also a feature of the new format with the winner of the Championship Final winning promotion into the Premiership next season, while the team that finishes last in the Premiership will be relegated to the Championship.
Semi-finals will not be played this year because of the Rugby World Cup, with the ITM Cup tournament returning to normal schedules in 2012.
The teams playing in the Premiership and competing for the ITM Cup are: Canterbury, Waikato, Auckland, Wellington, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Southland.
The teams playing in the Championship and playing for promotion into the 2012 Premiership are: Hawke's Bay, Counties Manukau, Northland, North Harbour, Tasman, Manawatu, Otago.
The contenders:
Canterbury: Having won a hat-trick of titles over the last three years, Canterbury would be obvious favourites to retain the silverware that has called Christchuch home since 2008. However, with more than half of the first-choice Canterbury line-up with the All Blacks squad, coach Rob Penney will be relying heavily on his rookies to make it four championship wins on the trot.
Waikato: Last year's finalists have a good shot at going all the way in 2011 and recapturing the domestic crown they last won five years ago. With the bulk of their Super Rugby squad intact and the return of hard-working flank Marty Holah, the cow bells will be out in full force at Waikato Stadium.
Auckland: New Zealand's most successful provincial team (they've won the championship 16 times) are another side capable of lifting the trophy that was last held aloft by the Aucklanders in 2007. The men in blue and white stripes are boosted by the services of discarded All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Braid, Benson Stanley and Alby Mathewson who will use this ITM Cup campaign as a last ditch attempt to make it into Graham Henry's World Cup squad.
Wellington: The Lions will want to shed the tag of tournament bridesmaids after falling at the last hurdle in four of the last five finals (to Waikato in 2006, Auckland in 2007, and then to Canterbury in 2008 and 2009). But if pre-season matches are anything to go by, the title that has remained elusive since the turn of the century, could be back in the New Zealand capital on September 3.
They'll put up a fight:
Taranaki: Taranaki will be under pressure to repeat their extraordinary 2010 season and maybe even go one better. The tournament underachievers were revived under coach Colin Cooper's guidance and will have a lot to live up to after winning nine of their 13 games to finish in fifth spot last year. The loss of fly-half Willie Ripia and wing David Smith will be a big blow, but they will at least have the services of new All Blacks squad member Jarrad Hoeata to call on from time to time.
Southland: Last season was a real rollercoaster ride for Southland fans, who saw their team top the standings up until Round Nine (winning a Ranfurly Shield in the process), before crashing to four defeats on the trot (losing the Ranfurly Shield in the process) and hanging on by the skin of their teeth to end in the top seven. Another strong start to the season is required, but the biggest task will be to maintain their form throughout. They have a gelled and experienced squad, however a lack of depth in key positions could see them hit a stumbling block if injuries strike.
They'll struggle:
Bay of Plenty: The Steamers proved their worth last time out by finishing the 2010 season in sixth place, earning them a deserved place in this year's Premiership. But whether they stay there remains to be seen after losing points machine Mike Delany (Japan). The Blue and Gold brigade will welcome the return of scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown from a two-year stint in Wales, while inspirational captain Colin Bourke (who missed the entire Super Rugby season through injury) celebrated his rugby comeback with a try in his team's 33-19 pre-season win over Manawatu.