It will be difficult for Dunedin to win again this year because it has lost key players from last year's winning team.
A nucleus of last year's champion team remains with players of the calibre of Hugh Blake (flanker), Will Henry (prop), Mitchell Zandstra (loose forward), Richard Thompson (lock), Kaituu Kaufana (midfield) and Mark Grieve-Dunn (lock) in the team.
Dunedin will be captained by hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, who had an outstanding game in last year's final.
Last year: Champion.
Coaches: Elgan O'Donnell (first year), Chris King (assistant).
Gains: Hame Toma (Canterbury), Greg Dyer (Southland), George Vance (Canterbury), Mike Moeahu (Alhambra-Union).
Losses: Brad Weber (Waikato), Liam Edwards (Hawkes Bay), Gareth Evans (Hawkes Bay), Sam Poole (shoulder reconstruction), Aaron Clark (Ashburton), Ashton Tuck (Christchurch), Kai Daniel (Auckland).
Key players: Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, flanker Hugh Blake, prop Will Henry, loose forward Mitchell Zandstra, midfielder Kaituu Kaufana.
Squad.-
Forwards: Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Hame Toma, Nick Peacock, Hugh Blake, Will Henry, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Mitchell Zandstra, Sean Smith, Brendan Eathorne, Brett Anderson, Jared Gilmore, Richard Thompson, Martin Swaffield, Dan Ellingham, Luke Schuler, Danny Underwood , Gareth Evans, Chris King.
Backs: Kaituu Kaufana, Greg Dyer, George Vance, Winston Stanley, Tumua Ioane, Trent Renata, Tim Tolovae, Sione Pulu, Shelford Meads, Sam Weber, Rowan McKenzie, Pera Gibbs, Mike Moeahu, Liam Ward, Laupepa Karalus, David Daen.
