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With all due respect to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy – or 'Paint Pot' as it is known colloquially to League One and League Two soccer clubs in England – mention of the Independent Timber Merchants Cup conjures up the same sort of image in rugby at a broadly similar level.
The ITM Cup is the main domestic competition in New Zealand for provincial championship teams.
Drawing a direct parallel with the game in this part of the world is difficult but you could say it equates roughly with the Pro 12 when the international elite are away.
I couldn't help but think of the friendly Timber Merchants in the Land of the Long White Cloud as I watched the All Blacks rip Scotland apart with the most scintillating brand of vibrant attacking rugby.
