Pretty ugly but then there's not a lot you can do with it without changing their logo - which is also pretty ugly!

There should be a cup that doesn't change. Fans should be able to look and say "we want to win THAT cup" rather than changing it all the time and apparently now giving a hammer? What a load of rubbish. Don't mind the logo though.

Opening game would be awesome if MC Hammer was brought across preformed Its Hammer Time! Would be at that game! Go Hammer Go Hammer!!

I have no complaints about the logo, but as Donovan #7 says as long as the rugby is good

Im disappointed theres still only a top 4, how good would last years comp have been with a top 8? A couple of years ago they were thought a top 4 was good enough for a 14 team comp (ie Super 14) but they've cut a 14 team ITM Cup (or Air NZ Cup) to a top 4, shows what the powers at NZRU like most.

Haha Australian Gold with South African Green. Is that a sign of the world cup final?? Good to see grass roots support though. But a different logo perhaps....How about an open competition to make a better logo run by ITM and voted for by people as rugby is for the people.

good for Otago then Bob

One stupendous mistake in the above.

Southland will not play Otago first up for the shield as the log of wood will already be in Wanganui at that point!

Jeez, is hard enough keeping the heartland comp going without journos pretending we don't exist!!

Logo is disguisting - saw the trophy on the news too which hardly looks like something you would play for (a large hammer with ITM and all 14 teams logos on it). Good to know the Rugby will be better though

How are players supposed to get passionate about winning the ITM Cup? Couldn't they call it the ITM NPC? Look at South Africa. They have preserved their history by keeping the 'Currie Cup' name.

This is great for provincial rugby - a company such as ITM who are passionate about rugby in the palces where GREAT all blacks come from, such a shame Tew etc couldnt give a dam.