ITM Cup

The ITM Cup (formerly the Air New Zealand Cup) is New Zealand's national, professional provincial championship and highest division of the men in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It was first held in 2006, after a division of the National Provincial Championship ( NPC) in two different competitions. Since 2010, the Bauzuliefererbetrieb Independent Timber Merchants (ITM ) is the main sponsor and namesake of the Championship, previously it was the New Zealand Air New Zealand.

It take 14 of today's 26 provincial teams from the NPC part. The remaining twelve teams playing in the amateur Heartland Championship competition. There are currently no relegation between the two divisions. Host is the New Zealand Rugby Union Association New Zealand Rugby Union ( NZRU ).

Reigning champions New Zealand 's Canterbury, the ITM Cup 2010 won. Record winner of the competition is also Canterbury with three titles. However, New Zealand is Auckland 's most successful club with 16 titles together from the old NPC ( 15) and the ANZ Cup ( 1).

Format

The ITM Cup is held every year from late July to late October. The points distribution is according to the following scheme:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 0 points for a defeat
  • 1 bonus point for the achievement of 4 or more experiments
  • 1 bonus point for a loss with a difference of 7 points (equivalent to an increased effort ) or less.

The championship was divided in their first season in 2006 after the reorganization in three rounds. This rather complicated format was abolished. Since the 2007 season, each of the 14 provincial teams play ten games in league system; this means that each team does not compete against three teams. The first eight teams at the end of normal time then qualify for the quarter-finals (first against eighth, second against seventh, third against sixth, fourth to fifth). Throughout the play-offs, the better placed team enjoys in the final table each home advantage.

Salary Cap

The ITM Cup is there for the participating province teams a fixed amount, the salary of the players may not exceed a year. This salary cap ( salary cap ) is about NZ $ 1.35 million or 36 % of the financial resources of a regional association. Each team must have at least 26 players (excluding National Player of the initial Tri-Nations squad the All Blacks ) have contracted for their content must be at least $ 15,000. The maximum that may be paid for a player is $ 60,000 per year. Exceptions may be made for players who have played eight or more seasons for the same province. These players can get up to $ 90,000. A provincial association may take an unlimited number of development players under contract, and shall receive compensation of $ 35,000 for each international, who is in the initial Tri-Nations squad. The salary cap does not include notional values ​​more but the deductions for current and former national players as well as players who have played eight or more seasons for the same province.

Ranfurly Shield

In the ITM Cup and Ranfurly Shield Cup games at the be discharged if there a team holding the Shield. This was until today always the case. This is the oldest and most prestigious trophy in New Zealand rugby. The Shield - holder must defend in every home game of the regular ITM Cup season the Shield. If the away team wins the game, she gets the Ranfurly Shield. With a draw or victory of the home team this has successfully defended the trophy. In the play-offs is not being played around him.

Men

The following provincial teams currently play in the ITM Cup:

Master Air New Zealand Cup / ITM Cup

For former New Zealand rugby union champions see National Provincial Championship.

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