For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Mitre 10 Cup and it was the fourth season under the lead sponsor.

If necessary of a tiebreaker, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who defeated the other in a head-to-head got placed higher.

In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points differential margin got rights to be ranked above.

If they were tied on points difference, it was then decided by a highest scored try count or a coin toss.

The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final.

The competition started on 8 August, with Southland taking on Northland at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill.