Derren Witcombe has been named Northland’s ITM Cup coach for 2013.

Waikato has bolstered its front-row stocks by signing Ben Tameifuna for the 2013 ITM Cup season.

Canterbury has named former Manawatu, Taranaki and Munster midfielder Jason Holland as the assistant coach of its ITM Cup side.

Waikato will defend the Ranfurly Shield against Heartland Championship sides Horowhenua Kapiti and East Coast in July.
 

Taranaki fullback Andre Taylor has re-signed with the province for a further two seasons, while New Zealand Under 20 midfielder Ope Peleseuma has been picked up from Wellington.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac says his decision not to include All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu in his squad for Saturday night’s ITM Cup Premiership final against four-time defending champion Canterbury is about what is best for the team.

The heat is on in the ITM Cup Premiership and Championship competitions, with the wheat separated from the chaff and the finals now only a week away.

Ali Williams feels that he has what it takes to force his way back into the All Blacks.

We run the rule over all the round 13 and 14 ITM Cup action.

Jarrad Hoeata will start for Taranaki when it defends the Ranfurly Shield against a heavily altered Waikato in New Plymouth tomorrow night – but it is not known which position he will play yet.

The Auckland Rugby Union is considering moving away from Eden Park in a bid to cut increasing costs.

We run the rule over the matches which comprise rounds 11 and 12 of the ITM Cup.

Skipper DJ Forbes will make his return from an eye injury when the high-flying Counties Manukau takes on Manawatu in Palmerston North tomorrow night.

Daniel Braid will make his return from injury via the bench when Auckland takes on unbeaten Taranaki at Eden Park on Wednesday night.

All Blacks Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison will front for Otago when it takes on North Harbour in Dunedin tomorrow night.

Auckland has named an unchanged team for its clash against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Friday night.
 

Canterbury may be without experienced hooker Corey Flynn for the remainder of its ITM Cup campaign.

We look at the match-ups which comprise rounds seven and eight of the ITM Cup.

For the fourth time this season, Auckland will field the same backline when it takes on Waikato at Eden Park tomorrow afternoon.

Taranaki will be without first five Beauden Barrett when it defends the Ranfurly Shield against Hawke’s Bay in New Plymouth tonight after he was added to the All Blacks squad as injury cover for Dan Carter.