The Otago season kicks off today with the four sides all looking new after a player exodus across the board during the off-season.
To add to the excitement, a new trophy has been introduced for this year's competition, the Massa Johnston Trophy.
The trophy is named after William "Massa'' Johnston, a pioneer of Otago rugby league and sole Otago representative in the 1907 professional All Blacks' (known as the All Golds) tour of Britain.
All four teams head into the competition with teams full of talent and some very experienced coaching staff.
The University team looks to be a serious contender this year with an influx of skilled players adding to a solid core of the side that played together last season.
However, the players lost from last season will leave a large hole to fill, particularly Ben Loughrey-Webb who was a club veteran offering plenty both on and off the field.
This season the club will be relying on the fact it has a decent numbers putting in the hard yards already and it will be able to put together a fairly consistent group of players.
Tyson Ball will captain the side and will likely prove to be the key forward in the pack due to his strong running game.
Joe Bywater is also a key senior member of the team.
The Kia Toa Tigers will again be an intimidating force in the competition with their aggressive style of play.
They are possibly the least changed side from last season and so will hit the ground running with familiar combinations throughout the field.
The Tigers have plenty of skill, strength, and intensity.
Captain Shane Unahi will be a key factor in the success of the team.
His hard-running approach to the game often creates scoring opportunities and sets the standard for his team-mates to follow.
The East Coast Eagles head into this season having lost several key players from last year's side.
A bit of an unknown going into the season, the Eagles were the beaten finalist in last season's grand final and will be looking to continue their successful run in recent times.
Coach Dave Broughton said the start of the season looked interesting given some injuries already and the loss of key players.
The South Pacific Raiders look to be the team most affected by players leaving, heading into the season having lost 11 of the players from their grand-final winning team of 2015.
Coach Dave Reedy said it would be a huge task to field a team, but if a team appeared it would be competitive.
The Raiders can never be counted out, especially boasting experienced Otago representative Sam Brame.
The teams at a glance
OTAGO UNIVERSITY RUGBY LEAGUE
Coach: Ray Fitiao
Captain: Tyson Ball
Losses: Ben Loughrey-Webb, Deacon Fisher, Brogan Jackson, James Uri-Ke
Gains: Brooklyn Niwa, Ro Allen, and Lunden Williamson
Key players: Tyson Ball, Joe Bywater, Finn Langdale, Dom Tola, James Devoe, John Stringer
EAST COAST EAGLES
Coach: Dave Broughton
Captain: not yet appointed
Losses: Sam Johnston, Ellery Fruean, Terrence Reid, Luke Barnsley, Jershon Wihongi, Stevie Moataane, Kail Spooner
Gains: Jordan Fuatavai, Tuisana Latu, Sonny McLean, Mike Tuari, Sam & Tu'uta Motuliki, Kingi Eparaima-Hautapu, Cory Campbell, Paia Taurarii, Silapa Halangahu
Key players: Hyrum Martin, Kieran Fitzgerald, Tama Apineru.
KIA TOA TIGERS
Coach: Koben Katipa
Captain: Shane Unahi
Losses: No major losses
Gains: Andy Matoto
Key players: Shane Unahi, Ian Blake, Vila Apuula
SOUTH PACIFIC RAIDERS
Coach: Dave Reedy
Captain: Sam Brame
Losses: Ben McKerchar, Isaac Misky, Adam Tapsell, Jordan Tua, Cameron McMillan, Dave Lipanovic.
Gains: Manu Matapo, Honehau Clarke-Hepi.
Key players: Sam Brame, Manassah Kutia.
