Taranaki players celebrate victory over Tasman in the ITM Cup Premiership final © Getty Images

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News: 2015 ITM Cup squads

Tournaments/Tours: ITM Cup

A town-versus-country rivalry that hasn't existed in New Zealand rugby for decades has returned, raising interest in the 40th edition of the ITM Cup.

Taranaki beat Tasman in a thrilling end to the 2014 Premiership after both teams had upset most pundits by making their maiden appearance in the final, and they are among the 2015 title favourites heading into the first round this week. Second-tier Hawke's Bay, meanwhile, hold the Ranfurly Shield and face an immediate challenge from Northland on Sunday.

Much changed in 2015, as the five Super Rugby bases had won every title since 1980 and Canterbury and Auckland had been etched on the trophy for 12 of the previous 13 seasons. Canterbury's hopes of a seventh straight crown disappeared in a 20-point semi-final battering from Tasman, while Taranaki showed their top qualifying spot was no fluke by shutting out Auckland.

Manawatu also won promotion from the second-tier Championship division to the Premiership, replacing Wellington Lions in another triumph for the little guys.

Not since inaugural winners Bay of Plenty (1976), Counties Manukau (1979) and Manawatu (1980) claimed titles have smaller unions held sway.

Taranaki, under seasoned coach Colin Cooper, and Kieran Keane's Tasman are both largely unchanged last year. And neither the Bulls nor the Makos are affected hugely by personnel loss for the Rugby World Cup, which eclipses the final six weeks of the season - including the grand final weekend on October 23-24.

Canterbury won't have their usual avalanche of All Blacks, but they have vowed to return to the winners' circle under Scott Robertson, while Auckland's credentials will be tested when face Southland in the season-opener in Invercargill on Thursday.

TM Cup: Facts and Figures

Teams

Premiership: Auckland, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, Manawatu, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato
Championship: Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, North Harbour, Northland, Otago, Southland, Wellington

Past Five Finals

2014: Taranaki 36 Tasman 32
2013: Canterbury 29 Wellington 13
2012: Canterbury 31 Auckland 18
2011: Canterbury 12 Waikato 3
2010: Canterbury 33 Waikato 13

Total Titles

16: Auckland
11: Canterbury
4: Wellington
2: Otago, Waikato
1: Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Taranaki, Manawatu