TARANAKI
Last year: Champions.
The oil: Loosie Kaylum Boshier shapes as influential for the Naki, who have a familiar-looking squad. Former Harbour first five Obey Samate is one of the few fresh faces in the squad. He plays for the Stratford-Eltham club alongside dangerous winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone. Tikoisolomone will be part of a dangerous back three with Jacob Ratumatavuki-Kneepkens and Kini Naholo.
HAWKE’S BAY
Last year: Beaten finalists.
The oil: The Magpies are missing a couple of key players in Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Brad Weber. But they also have experienced men in key positions. The combination between halfback Folau Fakatava and first five Lincoln McClutchie promises to be fruitful. Former Otago winger Freedom Vaha’akolo is back from a stint in league.
WELLINGTON
Last year: Beaten semifinalists.
The oil: The Lions are stacked with Super Rugby players and were the form side last season until they were upset by Hawke’s Bay in a semifinal. Talented loose forward Peter Lakai is the battery in the pack and openside Du’Plessis Kirifi is the spark, while loosehead prop Xavier Numia adds muscle up front.
CANTERBURY
Last year: Beaten semifinalists.
The oil: They thumped Otago 47-0 in a preseason game last week which suggests they might be very decent again. The loss of first five Fergus Burke to the Saracens club is a blow but they still look to have some good depth. Veteran halfback Mitchell Drummond is poised on 99 games.
BAY OF PLENTY
Last year: Beaten quarterfinalists.
The oil: Depth shapes as an issue for the Steamers this year. They have some injuries to key players including former Highlanders lock Maanaki Selby-Rickit and powerful loose forward Veveni Lasaqa. They may have to lean heavily on the clubs. Naitoa Ah Kuoi started all 11 games last year and is a workhorse with an eye for the try line.
AUCKLAND
Last year: Beaten quarterfinalists.
The oil: Injuries took a toll late in the season and some patchy form led to them finishing sixth in the regular season. That meant they had to head to Christchurch for the quarterfinals and they suffered a 29-24 loss to Canterbury. Former All Blacks loose forward Akira Ioane does not head to Japan until after the NPC campaign and he is a force at this level. And it will be interesting to see how new Highlanders recruit Caleb Tangitau performs on the wing.
TASMAN
Last year: Beaten quarterfinalists.
The oil: The Mako have undergone wholesale changes and consequently emerge as an unknown quantity. They have pulled in players in from England, Fiji and Tonga. But if they get a lot of miles out of All Blacks Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham and David Havili, they will be more than competitive.
WAIKATO
Last year: Beaten quarterfinalists.
The oil: First five Josh Ioane has headed overseas but they have picked up fullback Josh Moorby from Northland, and the Mooloos shape as real contenders. They have some seasoned campaigners such as Aaron Cruden and loose forward Mitch Jacobson. Jacobson missed most of last season with an injury, but spent the offseason playing in Major League Rugby and is keen to make an impact.
COUNTIES-MANUKAU
Last year: Ninth.
The oil: The Steelers might be tracking in the right direction. They were just outside the playoffs spots last year. No8 Hoskins Sotutu is not wanted by the All Blacks and he is reportedly very keen to tear into the NPC and remind everyone of his talents. Winger Etene Nanai-Seturo was in tremendous form last season and he is sure to test defences again.
NORTH HARBOUR
Last year: 10th.
The oil: Harbour will be hoping for a better start than the 0-4 run last year. They look tough up front but have lost the services of halfback Jamie Booth and first five Bryn Gatland. They have called in Australian Tane Edmed to fill a vacancy at pivot, and blindside flanker Cameron Suafoa is expected to make an impact. Harbour should have a good chance to press for a place in the playoffs, particularly if Wallace Sititi sees much action.
OTAGO
Last year: 11th.
The oil: The chronic underachievers have real depth in the front row but do props and hookers win you games? They could do with another lock, a spare outside back and a gun openside flanker. Star winger Jona Nareki and first five Cameron Millar shape as critical cogs. And Otago will be hoping Josh Timu can get through a season without succumbing to an injury.
NORTHLAND
Last year: 12th.
The oil: Registered a couple of surprise wins and almost tipped up Auckland. But the Taniwha were otherwise disappointing. They will lean on Crusaders first five Rivez Reihana to set the tempo and they have picked up the versatile Simon Parker from Waikato. The Chiefs loose forward can play anywhere in the back row. Moorby has transferred to Waikato and is a big loss, while Rene Ranger has retired.
MANAWATŪ
Last year: 13th.
The oil: The Turbos have had a rebore. They have lost a lot of experience and remaining competitive will be a big challenge. They leaked too many tries last season, so that will be the first project. Hurricanes No8 Brayden Iose will captain the team this year and team up with former Otago player Slade McDowall in the loose.
SOUTHLAND
Last year: Last.
The oil: There is only one game Stags fans care about and it is game one against Otago in Invercargill this Saturday. Southland have made a lot of personnel changes but one player who is sure to make a difference is Sean Withy. He transferred from Otago to his native Southland this season and the classy openside will captain the team.
