North Otago
Coaches: Mike Mullins, Troy Looms.
Last year: Meads Cup finalist.
Prepared with a three-match tour of Fiji and Tonga. Ten players from 2013 have departed but this has been offset by the arrival of 11 newcomers, including players from Argentina, Canada and England. Losses include Ed Keohane (England), second five-eighth J'Andre Liebenberg (Hawkes Bay) and first fives Ratu Vatuinaraki (Fiji) and Ben Patston (Dunedin). The departure of lock Eric Duff is a major loss but side will be built around Ralph Darling, Lemi Masoe, Josh Clark, Simeli Koniferedi and top try-scorer Chris Talanoa.
Buller
Coaches: Craig Neil, Craig Scanlon.
Last year: Lochore Cup finalist.
Hoping to build on an encouraging campaign that included two wins over Wanganui. Flanker Luke Brownlee (134 games), tighthead prop Phil Beveridge (120 games) and lock Logan Muny will be the core of the pack. In the backs, there is talent in Andrew Stephens, William Saukuru, Mitieli Kaloudigibeci, Iliesa Ravudra, Mike Schmidt-Lealava'a and Panimani Nabainivalu.
South Canterbury
Coach: Chester Scott.
Last year: Lochore Cup champion.
South Canterbury will be without leading scorer Liam Edwards, who has been included in the Hawkes Bay wider squad. Sam Monaghan, a former Canterbury player, will replace Edwards. Missing from 2013 will be midfielder Faiatu Tuamoheloa and John Peeters. George Folau is back, and the side should field a formidable pack led by Matt Fetu, Nathan Tubb and Timaru Tafa.
Wanganui
Coaches: Jason Caskey, Jason Hamlin, Guy Lennox, Marty McGrath.
Last year: Lochore Cup semifinalist.
After redemption following a poor season and under a new selection panel. Peter Rowe (89 games) will lead the side with locks Nick Cranston and Sonny Woodmass. Ace Malo returns from injury and a newcomer will be Sikeli Ulukuta, younger brother of Heartland representative Lasa Ulukuta.
Mid Canterbury
Coach: Glenn Moore.
Last year: Meads Cup champion.
Mid Canterbury has had a Ranfurly Shield challenge and a win over Southland in pre-season. Lost only one game in 2013, and the core has been bolstered by Tasman flanker Gary Redmond, Northland prop Scott Vessey and North Otago lock Eric Duff. Canterbury-based Matt Thatcher is the player of origin. Winger Willie McGoon returns from Tasman, and Murray Williams is back at first five. No 8 Jon Dampney will lead the side, and hooker James Carr is sitting on 99 games for the union.
West Coast
Coaches: Allan Lindsay, Sean Cuttance.
Last year: Meads Cup semifinalist.
Had a fine 2013 season. Lost by only three points to Mid Canterbury in the Meads Cup semifinal and chalked up wins over Wanganui and South Canterbury. Also won the Seddon shield for the first time in 33 years. Coast's strength will be up front through flanker Alan Monk, hooker Troy Tauwhare, loose forward Rowan O'Gorman and locks Josh Manning and Kalave Auali'itia, plus former Tongan test players Heroshi Tea and Andrew Williams. First five-eighth Tim Priest, fullback Robert Thomson and winger Maleli Mudu (69 games) will be key backs.
Poverty Bay
Coach: Mutu Ngarimu.
Last year: 12th.
First five Tau Moeke will be hoping to win his third Heartland Championship gold medal when he takes on the Poverty Bay colours this season. Losses include Namibian international Dave Philander and prop Jone Lesi but match centurion Sione Ngatu returns to captain the side.
East Coast
Coach: Whetu Haerewa.
Last year: 10th.
Won only two games last year. Key player will be halfback Charlie Harrison, who is approaching his century of first-class games. Losses include Tau Moeke (Poverty Bay), Whaimotu Craft-Chemis and Riki Waitoa, both of whom have gone to Bay of Plenty. Also missing are centre Lance Maaka, lock Everard Reid, prop Siedried Fisi'ihou and flanker Brent Ingram.
King Country
Coach: Kurt McQuilkin.
Last year: Ninth.
Started positively last season, winning three of its first four games but then dropped away losing its last four games.
Captain and prop Brian Mansfield is back but missing will be prop Ted Tauroa, flanker Sam Mason, utility back Kurt Strachan, fullback James Hemera and Pehi Te Whare who had played for North Otago and Southland. Whakataki Cunningham, a loan first five eighth, is one of three Bay of Plenty players in King Country rugby this season.
Elusive winger Dean Church and halfback Ray Simpson are once again available.
Wairarapa-Bush
Coaches: Mark Rutene, Paddy Gough.
Last year: Third.
Four key loose forwards and accurate goal kicker Glen Walters leave big holes to be filled. Johan Vliet (Netherlands), flanker James Goodger (injured), John McFadzean (overseas) and Nathan Iro (Wellington) have departed. Prop Kurt Simmonds and lock Andrew McLean have returned, along with winger Paul Tikomainavalu.
Horowhenua-Kapiti
Coach: Jared Tanira.
Last year: 11th.
Had a ''what might have been'' season in 2013, sustaining six losses by seven points or fewer. New Zealand Heartland XV fullback Michael Tambour will be a key player along with first five-eighth James So'oialo, a brother of former All Black Rodney So'oialo. Horowhenua-Kapiti has hopes of obtaining loan players from Wellington of the calibre of Adrian Curry, Perry Hayman and Etuale Togia, with Luke Harvey in line as player of origin.
Thames Valley
Coaches: Hayden Roe, Frank Bunce.
Last year: Eighth.
Former All Black centre Frank Bunce has joined Hayden Roe in the coaching team. Bunce's arrival has attracted 136kg prop Eva Taumalolo, who has played in France. Michael Tuiloma, another big prop, who played for South Canterbury last season, joins Waikato loosehead Kieran Ramage. Former Fijian lock Savenaca Tabakanalagi and former North Otago and Southland three-quarter Watisoni Lotawa also join the squad. Utility man David Harrison, with 85 caps and 582 points to his credit, will be a key player.
