Wellington, March 15 NZPA - New Zealand-owned building suppliers' co-operative ITM will sponsor the premier national provincial rugby competition this year through to 2012.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) today said ITM would take over the sponsorship from Air New Zealand, which had decided to focus its energy on supporting the All Blacks.

The union also released the competition draw for the 2010 ITM Cup, which starts on July 29 when Taranaki play Northland in New Plymouth.

Otago are to get the first opportunity to play Southland for the Ranfurly Shield, in Invercargill on August 7.