allblacks.com and James Mortimer    09.Oct.2012

The ITM Cup moves into it's business end and for the Premiership, a tight tussle between the top five teams will ensure that the 2012 season goes down to the wire.

Waikato's remarkable Ranfurly Shield win ensured they remain just outside the top four, while only six competition points separates top-of-the-table Wellington, Auckland, Taranaki and Canterbury.

In the Championship Counties-Manukau remain top of the table, with an overall ITM Cup leading nine bonus points, which gives the Steelers a comfortable buffer over Otago and Tasman.

Tana Umaga's troops will square off against Tasman in a match that could go along way to deciding the ITM Cup Championship and which province gets promoted into the top flight Premiership.

On Wednesday defending champions Canterbury will head to Napier to play Hawke's Bay, with the hosts without a win against the red and blacks since 1982.

Round 15 kicks off on Thursday night with Otago welcoming Auckland, and the visitors will no doubt be keen to avenge their 25-32 loss at Eden Park last year.

Southland host Manawatu in Palmerston North, before a blockbuster Saturday beckons.

Northland (v Counties), Tasman (v North Harbour), Wellington (v Taranaki) and Canterbury (v Bay of Plenty) host matches, but one could forgive the locals of Hamilton with only thinking about their match, with Waikato hosting Hawke's Bay in their first Ranfurly Shield defence.

If successful, the Log o'Wood will remain in the Waikato for the summer.

To view the ITM Cup Round 13 review, click here.

To view the ITM Cup Round 14 & 15 previews, click here.

To view the ITM Cup Round 14 & 15 match officials, click here.