Justin Marshall: ITM Cup great but the format could be better

Taranaki coach Colin Cooper holds the ITM Cup after beating Tasman. This regional strength is good for New Zealand rugby. Photo / Getty Images

After seeing the two finals over the weekend, I think the ITM Cup is something the rest of world rugby would be very envious of.

It certainly warrants and justifies its place in New Zealand rugby. You only have to look at the emergence of some of the lesser-known teams - Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and Tasman - who basically dominated the powerhouse regions.

And the enthusiasm in the crowds generated by that success is great for the game. But I'm still not entirely convinced about the format.

I don't know if it's a good thing that it's divided into two separate divisions.

The teams that are currently involved, whether it's in the Championship or Premiership, are all capable of beating anyone on their day.

I wonder whether we would look to going back to the original format, even if it meant a split after a certain period and going to a top-six and a bottom-six playoffs.
But the parochial provincialism still comes out.

I think we need to recognise how important it is, especially when it comes to developing players.
Obviously the stepping stone to the All Blacks is now through Super Rugby but I'd also like to think the selectors have the confidence to pick from the ITM Cup.

I feel that if there's an outstanding prospect they saw, whether it be a youngster or an established player, that he could be a bolter for an end-of-year tour.

The ITM Cup just showcases the depth of this country.

Let's think about the talent that's come out of Tasman recently - James Lowe, Shane Christie, the Marshall brothers, Joe Wheeler.

There are instances throughout the ITM Cup that are illustrating New Zealand's depths and its talents. It's still an incredibly healthy competition.

Obviously you saw the crowds in Palmerston North and New Plymouth - that's what provincial rugby's all about and long may it continue.

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Looking at the All Blacks, I'm intrigued to see what they want to achieve out of the tour.

Less than a year out from the World Cup, are they looking to answer questions?

I wonder whether they're prepared to take a couple more risks.

The USA game is a formality and isn't a platform to test players and see if they would cope at the World Cup.

If the All Blacks are trying to answer questions about players, it needs to be against Scotland, England and Wales. They are games where they will be pushed hard and will have to work hard.

Those are the environments where questions can be answered.

If World Cups are the focus, you know there will be injuries. In 2011 we were very fortunate to retain Richie McCaw for the duration of that tournament.

In the same situation, who do we throw in there now?

It wouldn't do any harm for the captain to sit out a test match on the tour, and it wouldn't do us any harm to see someone like Sam Cane given an opportunity.