UNIVERSITY
Last year: Champion
Coaches: Peter McIntyre (third year), Roy Hawker (third year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Mamea Taimalie, Carlos Polycarpio, Kilipati Lea, Geordie Bean, Henry Bell (co-captain), Arthur Allen, Harry Press, Josh Hill, Ben Smith, James Khleo Kristner, Sean Withy, Jack McHugh (co-captain), Hadleigh Morgan, Jacob Morrison, Ricky Jackson, Nathan Vella, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Dillon Hunt, Josh Dickson.
Backs: Motoki Tanaka, Graham Urquhart, Kieran McClea, Jordan Hand, Kody Edwards, Jack Marshall, Robert Fridd, Ross Burton, Dusty McMurray, Tyler Diack, Jackson Miller, Tom Rance, Warren Loulanting, Taylor Haugh, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jenson, Josh Timu.
The defending champion will have almost an entirely new backline and the pack has been depleted as well.
Experienced prop Angus Williams is playing semi-professional rugby in the northern hemisphere and his absence will be sorely felt.
He has played more than 100 games for the team and made his Otago debut last year when he came on as a substitute against Canterbury.
Highlanders back-up hooker Ricky Jackson is sidelined with a foot injury but may feature during the back end of the season. And lock Ben Reidy has moved to Auckland.
But it is in the backs where University has experienced the most change.
Talented pivot Mike Williams is in Tauranga, midfielder Emeka Ilogu is out with a shoulder injury, centre Tyler Beary is playing rugby in Scotland, winger Calvin Vari has moved back to Auckland and fellow outside back Patrick Atkinson has gone back to the United Kingdom.
Halfback Connor McLeod has returned to Hawke’s Bay, as well.
Otago back-up fullback Taylor Haugh is one of the few survivors in the back line. He was one of the best attacking players in the competition and will carry a heavy load.
Classy openside flanker Jack McHugh returns and will co-captain the side with utility forward Henry Bell.
Kody Edwards will step forward and run the cutter in the absence of Mike Williams, and Cantabrian Jack Marshall will provide cover as a utility back.
Ross Burton returns after a season off due to injury and will team up with Jordan Hand in the midfield.
Mamea Taimalie will help fill the void up front, while Kilipati Lea returns for another stint.
University still has plenty of talented players but the side is rebuilding following a successful period.
TAIERI
Last year: Beaten finalist
Coaches: Scott Guthrie (first year), David Hunter (third year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Kieran O’Sullivan, Cam Allan-McNeill, James Agnew, Jared Burns, Brady Robertson, Morgan Jones, Ben Morris (captain), Don Lolo, Shea Robertson, Brodie Hume, Nick Henderson, Jessie Houston, Leroy Ferguson, Sam Fischli, Ryan Williams.
Backs: Bob Martin, Reuben Pyle, Corey McKay, Brayden Laing, Ryan Neill, Matt Whaanga, Kori Rupene, Will Ngatai, Hunter Dickson, Mitchell Scott, Marc Rooney, Glen Beadle, Taine Craig-Ranga, Nuri Kaya.
Taieri recovered from a poor start to win 10 games in a row and make the final last season.
It will need those same fighting qualities to get back to the mountain top.
The Eels are in a rebuilding phase, even if they do not want to admit it.
Inspirational hooker and captain Tom Hardie has returned home to Auckland. Loose forwards Alex Niedzwiecki and Josh Brown have departed.
Dynamic halfback Kurt Hammer’s playing future is uncertain. He has been sidelined for the past seven months with nerve damage in his shoulder.
Winger Shannon Young has ‘‘kind of retired’’. Lock Vinnie O’Connell and fullback-cum-first five-eighth Josh Casey are playing overseas.
There are still some players left out at Peter Johnstone Park.
Veteran midfielder Kori Rupene is closing in on 150 games, while loose forward Brodie Hume is eyeing 100 games.
Otago winger Mitchell Scott is back and promising lock Ben Morris will captain the side. Former John McGlashan College star Leroy Ferguson has joined the Eels and outside back Glenn Beadle is back from suspension. He picked up a two-year ban when he was caught up in the clenbuterol scandal.
Given the turnover, Taieri will need some time to settle and may need another stirring second-half of the season comeback to threaten for the title.
Co-coach Scott Guthrie believes fans can expect ‘‘much of the same’’ from Taieri.
‘‘They are all very fit — Kurt [Hammer] has done a really good job training them — and pre-season has been really good.
‘‘The boys are keen and there is a really good vibe. We’ve got a really good backline, so we plan to use the backs.
‘‘But we are pretty inexperienced up front, so that probably won’t be one of our strengths this year.’’
GREEN ISLAND
Last year: Beaten semifinalist
Coach: Dean Moeahu (fifth year) and Erik Vaafusuaga (second year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Richard Buchanan, Ethan de Groot, Shane Fikken, Jake Fowler, Lucas Govaerts, Joshua Hayward, Sean Jansen, Brett Kingsbury, Woody Kirkwood, Marika Parker, Pete Mirrielees, Dylan Nel, Bradley Primmer, Logan Taimalie, Siate Tokolahi, Sitiveni Tupou, Jesse Va'afusuaga.
Backs: James Arscott, Samuel Eriepa, Sairusi Lalanabaravi, Sunia Makasini, Michael Manson, Mat McCutcheon, Tom McGregor, Ray Nu’u, Jimmy Sinclair, Devin Stapley, Finn Strawbridge (captain), Isaak Te Hiwi, Jake Te Hiwi, Rawiri Wereta.
Cinderella got to go to the ball. The next step is to dance with the prince.
Green Island reached the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The Grizzlies were knocked out by Taieri 10-8 in the semifinal, on a miserable day at Peter Johnstone Park.
Clearly they would like to get back to that stage and this time get to play an extra game at the end of the season.
It is unclear how much powerful No8 Dylan Nel will play. He has been named in the squad but is contracted with the Chiefs.
He never failed to make an impression when he fronted for Green Island last season.
Hard-working lock Sam Duncan and utility back Alex Barnsley have moved on but otherwise the team has not lost too many players.
Highlander Ray Nu’u is back for another season. He was a potent force in the midfield.
Versatile forward Josh Hayward has returned following a stint in North Otago. He will help shore up the scrum.
First five-eighth Finn Strawbridge is back and will captain the side. He will be instrumental in the campaign.
Former Otago Boy’s High School First XV winger Michael Manson has joined Green Island. He has scorching pace and it will be interesting to see how he goes in his rookie year, while his OBs team-mate Jake Te Hiwi has also signed on, despite still being at school.
‘‘We’ll just take it game by game, like we did last year,’’ coach Dean Moeahu said.
‘‘We just want to give ourselves a chance of reaching a semi and then it is open slather then.’’
HARBOUR
Last year: Beaten semifinalist
Coach: Ryan Nicholas (third year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Abraham Pole, Austin Atiga, Saula Ma’u, Tim Medder, Taylor Dale, Jack Keily, Charles Elton, Joseph Williams, James Tomkinson, Sione Misiloi, Jeff Ikani, Faa Lafaitele, Joji Ravula, Conan O’Donnell, Siaki Kata, Solomon Pole, Ollie Parkinson, PJ Tili, Phoenix Kairimu , Dean Williams, Kazuki Kato, Waiora Morris.
Backs: Tala Fagasoaia, Alan Beanie, Toka Sopoaga, Michael Graham, Piliu Tavake, Nathan Hastie, Junior Schmackle, Dean Andrews, Sefo Muasika, Simeon Latu, Sio Tomkinson, Aleki Morris-Lome , Ewan Brumwell, Lisala Halaleva, Max Brown, Mone Palu, Sean Robertson, Tatsuya Fujii.
New faces. New style.
Harbour plans to unveil a new brand of rugby it hopes will carry it to the title this season.
The Hawks will be missing some grunt up front, though. Hooker Sekonaia Pole and powerful loose forward-cum-lock Joketani Koroi have secured playing contracts overseas. Pole is in Japan, while Koroi is with Stade Francais.
Bruising midfield back Hamaua Samasoni and first five-eigth Logan Allen have also moved on.
The Hawks have signed Toka Sopoaga, brother of former All Black Lima Sopoaga, to run the cutter at pivot.
Nathan Hastie is another interesting signing. He is talented young halfback but is making his way back from an ACL injury and is not available until early June.
Former Otago Boys’ High School No8 Taylor Dale has also been recruited, along with Highlanders prop Conan O’Donnell.
Under-rated loose forward Charles Elton is back for another stint and will be joined by another familiar face in Sione Misiloi.
Otago midfield pairing Sio Tomkinson and Aleki Morris-Lome will form a formidable duo and there is pace outside in Lisala Halaleva and new recruit Michael Graham, who has a background in sprinting.
‘‘We've got a lot of good quality younger players coming in,’’coach Ryan Nicholas said.
‘‘It will take them a while to find their feet but we’ve still got quite a few older heads around.’’
‘‘With the game plan we’ve got and players we’ve got, I’d like to believe we can challenge for the championship.
‘‘We are definitely changing the way we play. We’ll be a little bit less combative, I guess.
‘‘We’ll still have that in our game but we’re going to look for a lot more options and to use our backs a lot more.’’
KAIKORAI
Last year: Fifth
Coach: Roger Cotton (third year), assistant Allan Lindsay (second year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Jonah Aoina, Sidney Fidow, Jackson Dempster, Mitch Mahoni-Rae, Flynn Thomas, Lachie Finch, Sam Wyber, Pita Sinamoni, Isimelia Tuivaga, Zach McKenzie, Christian Lio-Willie, Patrick McCurran, Jake Russ, Josh Keenan, Riley McDowall, Ash Dixon, Jack Whetton, Slade McDowall.
Backs: Kane Johnston, Tim Price, Ben Miller, Roman Blackman, Angus Gray, Tevita Asi, George Thomas, Sam Jones, Elliot Warrender, Layne Opetaia, Jordan McEntee, Corey Miller, Matt Jones, Reuben Wairau, Sione Tonga Nau, Mitchell Hunt, Ngani Punivai.
In a novel approach, Kaikorai will play the same number of round-robin games as everyone else this year.
And it is fair to say the coach Roger Cotton is pretty happy about that.
Kaikorai narrowly missed a place in the semifinals and Cotton was not too complimentary about the odd format which meant his side played 16 games and everyone else played 15.
‘‘Put it this way, last year was not the best format and let’s leave it at that,’’ Cotton lamented.
‘‘Whoever dreamed that format up needs their head read, if you want my opinion.’’
Kaikorai has retained the bulk of its side. There are only a few notable absences. Midfield back Sam McCall has moved on and hooker Mitch Pryde is taking a year off.
Prop Jonah Aoina and lock Pita Sinamoni return and add grunt to the pack which includes talented loose forwards Patrick McCurran, Christian Lio-Willie and Highlanders squad member Slade McDowall.
Matt Jones is one of the better outside backs around and Ben Miller will continue to work on his game at first five-eighth.
Kaikorai has promoted some colts players but the big acquisition is Southland hooker Flynn Thomas. He remains contracted to Southland rugby.
‘‘We’re a pretty settled side and we were there or thereabouts last year and we expect to be in a similar position this year,’’ Cotton said.
‘‘The couple of new boys who have come in will certain add to it, so let’s see how it all rolls.
‘‘I’m feeling quite good about the squad, actually.’’
SOUTHERN
Last year: Sixth
Coach: Luke Herden (second year), assistant Warren Moffat (second year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Brad Horne, Hiroaki Shirahama, Hisa Sasagi, Jake Burtenshaw, Jermayne Maika (captain), Joe Cairns, Josh Solomon, Kei Sato, Kurt Whittaker- Prendeville, Liam Bright, Logan Garnforth, Mika Mafi, Mike Mata'afa, Reuben Katene, Rewi Pomare, Sam Pene, Takamasa Harada, Taniora Raniera, Tia Ratu, Tom Scanlan, Villimoni Po'orkomsa.
Backs: Bryce Hosie, Cam Voykovich, Hiroki Yamada, Josh Buchan, Kouya Hirao, Mackenzie Haugh, Mika Vaitupu, Mitchell Taylor, Nathan Giles, Obeys Samate, Owen Draper, Rema Smith, Riku Kitahara, Sam Watt, Tama Apineru, Wilson Driver.
Southern has picked up some promising talent and hopes to claw its way back following a tough season last year.
The Magpies started well but faded and finished in sixth place.
Coach Luke Herden is hoping a couple of new recruits will provide the spark the men from Bathgate Park need.
Southland first five-eighth Mitchell Taylor has signed on. He made six appearances for the Stags last year — five from the bench.
Taylor is in his early 20s and Herden expects he will make a big impact on the competition.
‘‘He has done everything we could ask for in terms of driving the team and his skill levels and kicking game are real good,’’ Herden said.
Tonga under-20 representative Obeys Samate is the other big signing. He can play at fullback or first-five and has tremendous footwork and a nice turn of pace.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to seeing him run around as well.’’
On the other side of the ledger, Southern has lost lock Axel Hohneck.
He captained the team last year but has headed overseas, as has midfielder Paul Tupai.
Tupai was an influential player in backline. His organisation and ability to bump tackles will be sorely missed.
Jermayne Maika will take over the captaincy and move into lock in the absence of Hohneck.
The Magpies will once again lean on the likes of prop Mike Mata’afa and No8 Mika Mafi to generate some go forward, while the fleet-footed Mackenzie Haugh will work his magic out on the wing.
DUNEDIN
Last year: Seventh
Coaches: Steve Mowat and Mike Maguire (second year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Josh Thom, Kees Scott, Sepa Vaka, Harry Rorke, Cam Burrows, Ayden Lloyd, Grayson Hardy, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Ben Freschini, Jack Regan, Liam Trainor, Daniel Hogan, Morgan Reedy, Josh Retter, Jamie Mowat, Hame Toma, Angus Duckett
Backs: Tim Hogan, Devon Olliver-Bell, George Witana, Riley Forbes, Kegan Christian-Goss, Jared Fahey, Gene Te Amo, Ben Shepherd, Will Boswell, Oscar Schmidt, Jayden Beckett, Rowan McKenzie, Harrison Boyle
Dunedin will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in 2019, when it never really raised a challenge.
The side was hit by some injuries and was forced to blood some youngsters, especially in the backline.
Co-coach Mike Maguire said the side had worked hard in training and everyone had another year of experience.
Prop Teague McElroy had moved to North Harbour and would be a big loss but the forward pack still had the experience of Hame Toma, Mark Grieve-Dunn and Jamie Mowat. Toma was injured for much of last season but was now back to full fitness and looking to make an impact. Grieve-Dunn will again skipper the side. Harry Rorke has arrived from Australia and Jack Regan comes from Ireland.
George Witana and Harrison Boyle were backs who have played for a significant period of time and their experience was valuable. The club won the premier colts grade last year and some of those players had been promoted to the premier side.
Maguire will coach with Steve Mowat again and the duo are into their second year. They would be assisted by Will Henry and John Sherratt. Sherratt had coached the Canterbury women’s side among many teams and his coaching experience should help Dunedin.
ALHAMBRA-UNION
Last year: eighth
Coaches: John Hyde (second year) assistant coaches: Michael Jopson, Regan Turoa (first year)
Squad. —
Forwards: — Witana Petley, Tristan Fuli, Matthew Kemp, Richard Latu, Josh Taylor, Alex Frood, Cullen Johnstone, Jimmy Etuati, Chris Dalley, Keenan Rush, Maole Faletolu, Baz Potgeiter, Tom Frood, Utu Tapueluelu, Pato Reyes, Ty Pelasio, Toran Spelman, Delaney MacKenzie, Liam Coltman, Zane Kapeli, Marino Mikaele-Tuu
Backs: Ben McCarthy, Ethan Yeo, Rameesh Khatri, Levi Emery, Isaac Milne, Legin Hotham, Junior Vitale, Will Siale, Ratu Bishop, Kokoro Morita, Henry Wragg, Pecili Malanicagi, Noah Cooper, Te Reimana Parangai, John Tapueluelu, Vilimoni Koroi, Bryn Gatland, Jona Nareki
The Broncos never got up to full gallop last year and will be looking to make more impact this season.
Alhambra-Union finished second-last, although it was competitive in plenty of games. But coach John Hyde felt many games were lost in the final 10 minutes, as fitness levels were exposed and defensive holes were found by opposing teams.
There had not been huge changes in the playing personnel and halfback and occasional midfield back Legin Hotham has been named captain. Levi Emery will look to have a big year and Noah Cooper, who was a lively fullback for the side a couple of years ago, is back from Northland.
Winger John Tapueluelu is back again. Ben McCarthy has come down from North Otago and will start in the inside backs.
Up front, flanker Jacob Coghlan has gone to Southland and will be a loss, although he only played part of the season last year as he was playing in Spain. Ty Pelasio returns from a spell overseas. Alex Frood will look to push on after a good year in 2019, although he has an ankle injury which will bring a delayed start to the season.
ZINGARI-RICHMOND
Last year: Ninth
Coaches: Karina Nafatali, Craig Sneddon, Rodney Stringer (second year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Jacob Turrell, Aaron Einarson, Bailey Matoe, Chris Williams Talauta, EJ Lam Cheung, Ilaitia Naituku, Haki Hamilton, Alex Nettleton. Reita (BJ) Puatolo, Sefo Moniati, Liam Sharples, Chris Bell, David Malcolm, Sione Tukala, Peter Taylor, Karl Still, Dylan Tutty, Isi Veikoso, Dan Mulvena
Backs: Shaun Driver, Scott Hunter, Connor Newlands, Thomas Johnson, Darcy Moore, Kelepi Holi, Willie Time, Cole Bardwell, Vehekite Moata’ane, Michael Cordtz, Chris McNoe, Ratu Karamaena, Shen Mafutaga Soseu
The Colours will be hoping for more success than the past couple of years where they won the first game of the campaign and not another all season.
The side never dies wondering and will work hard around the paddock.
Midfielder Keenan Masina is a big loss after he ruptured his achilles while training at sevens late last year. He is helping out the side and may get back on the field. Matt McCormick, who captained the team last year, is overseas and will be missed. Shae Tucker started last season well but went back to England and then ended the year playing in England.
Thomas Johnson will again steer the side round at pivot, while Otago sevens player Connor Newlands joins the club.
Veteran Chris Bell is back again while forward Aaron Einarson has arrived from Canterbury.
Karina Nafatali will be joined by Craig Sneddon and Rodney Stringer and she said it was a shared coaching approach. She said the side was in good spirits and had worked hard in pre-season.— Squads supplied by clubs.