With such exciting action, adding All Blacks will make the Mitre 10 Cup even better

As New Zealand prepares to get their franchise rugby up and running with Super Rugby Aotearoa starting on June 13, their provincial teams will also be looking forward to taking to the field again, with a few All Blacks adding some extra firepower to the Mitre 10 Cup.

A number of All Blacks, previously lost to the country, could turn out in this year's competition. Both Liam Messam and Julian Savea are currently back in New Zealand after stints in France and with no known contracts on the table for next year, could be back for Waikato and Wellington respectively, when the super-sized provincial competition kicks off in September.

Given the lack of international fixtures scheduled for 2020, don't be surprised if you see some current All Blacks taking to the field representing their provinces.

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It is understood that players that are contracted to Top League teams for the competition’s 2020 season - like Kieran Read, Ben Smith, Colin Slade and Elliot Dixon - which will kick off in January, will be required to suit up for pre-season as early as August 2020 – roughly a month before the Mitre 10 Cup commences.

Source: All Blacks