The 2011 ITM Cup is the 35th provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand, the sixth since the competition reconstruction in 2006 and the second under the new sponsor of ITM (Independent Timber Merchants).
The new competition format from 2011 will see 14 teams split into two divisions of seven teams based on their on-field finishing positions in 2010. The top seven teams will form the Premiership and the bottom seven the Championship. Teams will play all other teams in their division plus four teams from the other division (there will be an innovative new process for teams to select their cross-division opponents with the detail to be finalised in the first quarter of 2011). All matches will carry full competition points. Due to the ITM Cup season running up against the 2011 Rugby World Cup, to be held in September and October in New Zealand, the competition window will be truncated. Three midweek matches will be held during the regular season, and there will be no semi-finals; the top two teams in both the Championship and Premiership will advance directly to their respective finals. Semi-finals will return to both competitions in 2012.
The winner of the Championship will receive automatic promotion to the Premiership replacing the 7th placed team in the Premiership which will be relegated to the Championship.
Match Preview
Northland v Wellington
Northland travel to Wellington in the ITM Cup on Wednesday seeking their first win at Westpac Stadium since 2000.
Coming off the back of consecutive losses, Wellington are sitting bottom of the Premiership standings and need to turn their season around if they are to avoid relegation. They face a Northland side brimming with confidence after their victory over Premiership leaders Bay of Plenty.
The Lions have blown hot and cold this season. An upset win over Canterbury was followed by two shockers as they conceded over 70 points in two games against Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay.
The hosts have called in some big guns for the first of three home matches in eight days (the face Manawatu on Saturday then Southland next Thursday) as current All Blacks Cory Jane and Hosea Gear have been sent to get some game time alongside France-bound prop Neemia Tialata, who is also in the starting XV
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Date: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Venue: Wednesday August 10
Kick-off: 20.05
Referee: Grant Stuart
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