- Rugby: Dunedin Premier season preview
It again has a strong squad, with promising younger players replacing the 13 members of last year's squad who have left.
A key newcomer in the Taieri backline is first five-eighth Josh Casey, who played for the Otago sevens team this year. Casey, fullback Ben Miller and halfback Will Cosgriff played for the Taieri colts last year.
Other recruits are flanker James Lentjes, from Canterbury, and winger Dwayne Burrows, who played all 11 games for Mid Canterbury in the Heartland Championship last year.
The biggest loss is midfield back Ben Nowell, who has returned to the family farm in Kurow.
Last year: Second.
Coach: Jason Macdonald (third year).
Gains: James Lentjes (Canterbury), Dwayne Burrows (Mid Canterbury), Josh Casey (colts), Ben Miller (colts), Will Cosgriff (colts).
Losses: Ben Nowell (Kurow), Karl Bloxham (injured), Brett Anderson (Queenstown).
Key players: Midfield backs Kieran Moffat and Michael Collins, flanker Willis Scott, prop Aki Seiuli.
Squad.-
Forwards: Charlie O'Connell (captain), Aki Seiuli, Nick McLennan, Jarrod Graham, Craig Kippenburger, Ethan Harrex, Henry Parker, Karl Still, Matt Davidson, Alex van Lewen, Kurt Webster, Willis Scott, Brodie Hume, Alex Fitzgerald, James Lentjes.
Backs: Kurt Hammer, Will Cosgriff, Josh Casey, Ben Miller, Michael Collins, Kieran Moffat, Dwayne Burrows, Shannon Young, Taylor Fiddes, Todd Ford, Glen Beadle, Kurt Schrader, Kori Rupene.
