Sponsor update from HB Rugby, could be a much stronger NPC - hopefully..
"Mitre 10 Cup – There are some really positive discussions happening about this which is exciting for us. Several scenarios are being looked at with one sticking to the current format and distributed draw, secondly an option to establish a 14 team competition with a full round robin like the old days. There is a very good chance all Super Rugby players will be available from the start with the cancellation of the planned Super Rugby competition. All Black test matches are under severe threat so AB’s could be introduced and additionally the majority of players who were playing in Japan, France the UK etc have returned to NZ and indicated that they would be keen to play. We have been told that here are more than 50 players who have returned with the likes of Kieran Read (Counties Manukau) and Brodie Rettalick (Hawkes Bay) who would turn out in provincial rugby as they just want to play. Sky TV now don’t have the televised rights for cricket so can be more flexible on start and end dates to competitions as they want the rugby content for their viewers and the provincial competition is very important due to the ability to connect throughout the whole of NZ. "