ALEXANDRA
Coach: Lee Wilson.
Last year: Champions.
Players to watch: Tyler Ford, Ryan O’Neill, Joshua Young, Taura Wilson.
The oil: The champs have lost a few of their 2023 heroes. Second-five Matt McCullough has returned to Ireland — although his fellow countryman Joshua Young has remained — winger Simon Lloyd has moved to Australia, lock Josh Bell has retired and halfback Seamus Hart is having a year off, prompting coach Wilson to claim they will be “a different team to last year”. Tyler Ford will captain the side.
Predicted finish: Finalist again.
ARROWTOWN
Coach: Jackson Wallace.
Last year: A humble sixth.
Players to watch: Malcolm Sutherland, Ryan Egerton, Tom Grandiek, Cole Berridge.
The oil: New coach Wallace is determined to recapture the club and team culture which he feels has been lost over the past couple of seasons. In 2023 the team lost eight of its 12 games, scoring 37 tries while conceding 57. Sutherland’s return is vital and he will join up with fellow lock Charlie Campbell from Queenstown. Ryan Egerton will captain the team from fullback.
Predicted finish: Semifinalist.
CROMWELL
Coach: Matt Brierley.
Last year: Beaten in the semifinals.
Players to watch: Rhys Harrold, new captain Stefan Blakeborough, Jackson Clark, Ben Maxwell.
The oil: The Goats claim an impressive first XV but lack depth, having lost several back-up players, including two front-rowers. Most significant gain is first-five Rory Ward from Dunedin. Training nights have changed from Tuesday/Thursday to Monday/Wednesday. Unusual draw has the Goats at home this Saturday then away for the next four weeks.
Predicted finish: Finalist contender.
MANIOTOTO
Coach: Ken Willis.
Last year: Fifth.
Players to watch: Daniel Adam, Doug Smith, captain Jack Wild, Matt Horne.
The oil: After losing their first four games last year the Maggots went agonisingly close to making the semifinals. The early draw this season is just as daunting, starting with Wakatipu, Upper Clutha, Cromwell and Alexandra. Charlie Hore is new coach Willis’ deputy. The team has had really good numbers at training, including an exciting newcomer in Hayden Becker.
Predicted finish: Semifinal contender.
MATAKANUI COMBINED
Coach: Ben Peter.
Last year: Wooden-spooner.
Players to watch: Dean Sinnamon, Archie McRae, Nick Gee, Eliot Miller.
The oil: New coach Peter is quietly optimistic his team can improve on 2023 when the only opponents they beat were Arrowtown. Although he has lost veteran Chris Nolan, who now in his 40s has made more than 200 appearances, he has picked up first-five Barnaby Dunscombe from Wales and halfback Padraig Reilly from the United States. Peter wants his team to be competitive and make the top four.
Predicted finish: In the pack.
UPPER CLUTHA
Coach: Alex Dickson.
Last year: Beaten finalist.
Players to watch: Captain Lachie Garrick, Oliver Stirling, Ben McKeich, Brady Kingan, Henry Schikker.
The oil: New coach Dickson, who replaces Garry Hape, has lost crack wingers Adam Breen (overseas) and Reuben Barnett (not playing) plus flanker Nick Inch (in Australia) and loosie Callum Grayling (back to the Manawatu). An exciting newcomer is Welshman Tom Jarman, who can play fullback or first five, and he has hooker Fergus Smith back from serious injury. Dickson says he has such an abundance of players the club may enter a second team in the new B competition. Ace goalkicker Brady Kingan (135 points last season) will be a major contributor again.
Predicted finish: Finalists.
WAKATIPU
Coach: Jordan Manihera.
Last year: Beaten semifinalists.
Players to watch: Don Lolo, Timoci Naivaluwaka, James Natapu, Will Burdon, Logan Beggs.
The oil: New coach Manihera, who had a stellar career as a player, representing New Zealand Maori, Crusaders, Blues, North Harbour, Waikato and NZ under-20, is excited as he takes over from Brett Anderson. The club has recruited well and has had more than 40 players at trainings. Fijian Naivaluwaka and Moana Pasifika rep Lolo are exciting gains, as is Connor McIsaac, a graduate from the Wakatipu BHS first XV. Another newcomer is Tom Franklin, a lock/loosie from England.
Predicted finish: Finalist contender.
