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Dear Rugby Lover......When the New Zealand Rugby Union unveiled the 2011 national championship concept last year, many eyebrows were raised.

Wasn't the two-division format just a sop to provincial unions? Didn't it smack of an easy way out for the NZRU rather than taking the bold move and culling two, or even four, of the current 14 teams? International Rugby Events Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011

Many predicted there would be blowouts galore in the "crossover" games between premiership (top-seven) and championship teams. Yet shellackings have been as thin on the ground as fresh blades of grass in snow-shrouded Christchurch.

Two elements have added a real edge – the congested schedule due to the Rugby World Cup – and the portability of rugby's oldest trophy, the Ranfurly Shield.

It may not be as much fun for the players as it's been for the fans with some required to put their bodies on the line three times in a week, but it's turned games into chess matches.But we've witnessed all manner of upsets by championship teams over premiership rivals. The daddy of them all occurred last Saturday when the Manawatu Turbos had their first-ever national championship win in Wellington. How sweet that must have been for Manawatu coach Dave Rennie. International Rugby Events Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011

Bay of Plenty, riding high on the premiership table, dropped their guard against the Northland Taniwha and a Hawke's Bay bolstered by Crusaders and All Blacks outside backs Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford.Even Tasman, currently bottom of the professional rugby totem, booked bonus points against three-time champions Canterbury and Taranaki, who were then at the top of the table.Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011

An FA Cup-style quality, a David and Goliath battle. There's a palpable sense of the small fry smarting to prove themselves against the big fish. The matches are made the more meaningful because competition points are a stake. The pressure on premiership teams to bank five points for a four-tries-or-more win against bottom-seven sides is immense.

The shield going back to Southland has also proved a blessing – for neutral fans. It gives every challenger hope. Even North Harbour, who'd had a dog of a season, almost pinched the Log.Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011

The ITM Cup playing field has been made all the more level by the absence of the All Blacks. Rugby fans are slowly coming to accept the days of the test superstars playing at this level are long gone given the Tri-Nations series and end-of-year tour demands.

It could be a worthwhile idea to consider controlling the quota of All Blacks playing at ITM Cup level beyond World Cup year. Perhaps teams should be limited to three, or maybe five current test players in any one match.Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011

Isn't it a much more interesting competition with sides like Taranaki and Bay of Plenty vying for the premiership title than just another duel between the old oligarchy .

Relegation also offers an added dimension. The bottom team in the premiership trades places with the championship winners so there's potential for dramatic tension until the tournament's last day. Wellington vs Southland :: ITM Cup 2011 .