15 Dec 2012

Extended competition window for rugby's ITM Cup announced

11:22 am on 15 December 2012

There'll be fewer midweek matches in next year's provincial rugby competition with the New Zealand Rugby Union announcing it will be played over a nine-week period from mid-August to October.

The NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says feedback from provinces wanted a reduction in the short turnaround teams had when playing a weekend match and then having to back up with a midweek game.

The playoff format will be retained with the draw for the 2013 competition to be released in February.