A specialist banking group is the new sponsor of the Tri Nations rugby competition in New Zealand.
Investec Group .takes the place of former sponsor Philips which ended its 15-year association with New Zealand rugby after closing its Australasian consumer television operation.
The new two-year deal, brokered by sports marketing specialists, Essentially Group, will start this season.
Investec is involved in a number of rugby sponsorships in Englan,d, South Africa and Australia .
The NZRU's chief executive Steve Tew says the deal is especially welcome given the very challenging economic conditions.
