On the Burst - The ITM Championship

ITM Championship 2010

Round by round predictions, previews, and reviews

BEST HOME GROUND

What is your favourite Air New Zealand Championship home ground in NZ. Where do you most like to sit on the terraces, have your hot chips and sauce, and a drink on a Saturday afternoon? Convince the team at no8.co.nz and we'll run a feature on it during August.

RANFURLY SHEILD MAGIC

Since Marlborough upset Canterbury in the first challenge in 1937, the Log 'o' Wood has captured the hearts of the provincial rugby followers. Share your favourite yarns here

Auckland RFU

First established in 1875 the famous Blue and White dynamite has dominated NZ rugby - but not every game. . Load your memorable moments here.

Bay of Plenty RFU

Since 1911 'The Steamers' have beaten international teams, won 1st divison titles and played second matches. Brag about 'The Bay' here

Canterbury RFU

The CRFU, since its intial inception in 1879, has been a cornerstone of New Zealand rugby. Talk all things red and black here

Counties Manukau RFC

Founded in 1955 and operating under the banner of Counties (The Manukau section added mid 1990s) 'the steelers' represent the Franklin district, South of Auckland.

Hawke's Bay RFU

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union was founded in 1884. This makes it the oldest Provincial Rugby Union outside the four main centres. In the past Hawke's Bay has produced some great All Blacks including Kel Tremain and George Nepia. Hawkes Bay also defeated the 1993 British Lions.

Manuwatu RFC

Invited back into the division one competition in 2005, 'the turbos' continue to strive to achieve the mantle of glory days past.

Northland RFU

The Northland union was founded in 1920, as North Auckland Rugby Union. It formed when the Whangarei Rugby Union applied to the New Zealand Union to have the areas controlled by the Whangarei, Northern Wairoa, Bay of Islands, Otamatea and Hokianga sub-unions combined as a major union. In 1994 it became known as Northland.

North Harbour RFU

Formed in 1985 'Harbour' has developed a reputation for playing colourful and entertaining rugby. The undoubted highlights of history for Harbour include hosting the NPC final in 1994, and taking the sheild of Canterbury in 2006.

Otago RFU

Otago has a long and proud history of 126 years, one it could be argued belies its population and commercial size. The can of Speights is almost as synonymous as 'The House of Pain' itself within Otago rugby.

Southland RFU

Founded in 1887 'the Stags' history has seen many great eras. Most notably the shield reigns of the 40s and 50s, though not held since 1959 Southland narrowly lost a challenge to Auckland in 2008 (13-9)

Taranaki RFU

The justification for marking the year 1885 as the Formation of the Taranaki Rugby Union is based not on the fact that the Union itself was created then, but because 1885 marked the first occasion on which Taranaki placed a touring team in the field, the Union was not actually established until 1889.

Tasman RFU

The Tasman Rugby Union is New Zealand's newest provincial union. It came about with the amalgamation of the existing Marlborough and Nelson Bays. Nelson Bays, in turn, came about with the amalgamation of Nelson and Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Unions in 1967.

Waikato RFU

Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921. The inaugural representative match played ended in a 15-all draw against Taranaki. Since then strength to strength is more or less what 'The mooloos' have gone from and to. But whats with those bloody cowbells?

Wellington RFU

Founded in 1879 Wellington are the current holders of the Ranfurly Shield, arguably New Zealand's most revered rugby trophy. 'The Lions' are tagged the perenial bridesmaids of New Zealand domestic rugby losing to Auckland in 2003, to Canterbury in 2004, to Waikato in 2006, Auckland in 2007 and most recently to Canterbury in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup.