ITM new face of NZ rugby

New Zealand building supply co-operative ITM will be the new face of New Zealand domestic rugby from this season through to the end of 2012.

The ITM Cup will be the name of the premier competition, replacing Air New Zealand who has decided to focus its energy on sponsoring the All Blacks.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew feels ITM, as a locally-owned business, fits well within the rugby community and is a perfect sponsor for the competition.

"ITM is a very parochial Kiwi-owned co-operative and they are very proud of their provincial reach across the country," he said.

"Given the pride and support many communities have for their provincial teams, ITM is well placed to be at the centre of this competition.

"It's an exciting time for ITM to come on board. We saw a great surge in support for the domestic competition last year, and the challenge this year will be to build on that and we are really forward to working with ITM to achieve just that.

"We are looking forward to another great season of provincial rugby and providing communities all over New Zealand an opportunity to show their support for their teams."

The NZRU also released the competition draw for the 2010 ITM Cup, which gets under way with Taranaki taking on Northland at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Thursday 29 August.

Southland will put the Ranfurly Shield up for grabs for the first time in the second week of the competition when it hosts Otago.