Tew confident as NPC gets new sponsor

Steve Tew looked unsure what to do with his giant hammer, but he is certain the NPC is heading in the right direction under its new naming sponsor.

The country's premier provincial rugby competition will officially be known as the ITM Cup for the next three years with the building supply company taking over from Air New Zealand till 2012.

Key words at yesterday's announcement were "community", "provincial" and "parochial".

And NZRU chief executive Tew said the competition would remain an integral part of the rugby landscape regardless of the expansion of Super rugby.

"The catch-cry of this competition for a long time has been show your true colours. ITM has an urban and rural base and covers the whole country," Tew said.

"It [the NPC] has not altered significantly in the last few years. It's always been the place where aspiring players get a chance to play with professionals and if they are good enough they can play at the top level. And also for the guys at club level to get the chance to represent their province."

The value of the new sponsorship was not revealed, but Tew said it was significant in "tough" financial times.

Air New Zealand had decided to focus its energy in supporting the All Blacks, he said.

Meanwhile, Tana Umaga's move to Counties-Manukau has been confirmed. The 36-year-old former All Blacks captain will fill a player-assistant coach role for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

The 74-test veteran will join Counties when his commitments with French club Toulon finish.

Tew said he did not see Umaga's return as a sign unions will again overspend in a bid to boost their future prospects.

"The reality is unions must make their own decisions. There was a reality check around player wages last year ... we are hoping people will make sensible decisions."

The NPC starts on July 29 when Taranaki play Northland in New Plymouth with Otago getting first crack at the Ranfurly Shield when they play Southland in Invercargill on August 7. The cup final is scheduled for November 5.

It will be the last time the competition is played in its current format with two pools of seven established from 2011.

- © Fairfax NZ News