It is not just Dunedin premier club rugby starting this weekend. The lads from town and country in North Otago will also be dusting off the boots. Terry O'Neill looks at the six teams in the Citizens Shield.
Coaches: Kalifi Fangupo/Atalea Katoa.
Old Boys will be out to make it four in a row in the Citizens Shield. Under Fangupo (backs) and Katoa (forwards), the side appears to have real depth. Ralph Darling, Unga Kefu and Jeremiah Shields will form a strong front row, while Sale Pi'i and Paea Ala will lead the second row.
There is a big lineup in the loose with Samisoni Tongotongo, Leo Havili and Palavi Tahaafe, backed up by two 18-year-old players from England in Wayde Hodgkins (who also plays hooker) and Greg Powell. Former St Kevin's College halfback Jackson Reid will be behind the scrum, with Tai Halelele and Seti Talalele options at No 10.
Hamish McCulloch, Chris Perry and Lemi Maso will form a solid midfield, with former Christchurch player Kapeli Latavao also in the lineup. Isitola Hafoka, Una Ofa, Harry Frost, James Pilay and Omega Masoe will compete for places in the back three.
EXCELSIOR
Coaches: Jason Forrest/Dan Keno.
Excelsior has a number of promising additions to the senior ranks. Former Waitaki Boys' High School forward Don Lolo will lock the scrum with Jason Millns. Thomas Shields will captain the side from the front row along with Andy Matoto.
Richie Wilson will be part of the loose forwards again with newcomer Malu Falapaina and flanker Matt Duff, who made a big impression with North Otago last year but is presently sidelined with an ankle injury. Jordan Flutesma is a newcomer who plays at six or eight, and Zac Walker, a prop from Life University in the United States, also joins the club.
Glen Robertson and Will Kofoed return from last year and will be joined in the backs by winger Matt Day, versatile goal kicker Kane Middleton, halfback Cameron Keenan, who comes from English club Olney, and former South Canterbury winger Aporosa Tabulawaki.
ATHLETIC MARIST
Coaches: Campbell MacKenzie/Jon Sinclair.
Athletic Marist could be a strong contender for the Citizens Shield. The side has lost first five-eighth/fullback Ed Keohane, who has returned to England, and fullback Craig Sneddon. Gains include flanker Steven Banks, winger Nick Cuttance and first five-eighth Sani Foliaki.
The club has an abundance of props with Palenapa Mafi, Toetu Hausia, Tevita Fifita, Junior Taufa, Simi Prescott and James Taufa all possibilities. Dylan Winter, Aisake Fonua, Viliami Leo, the ageless Maka Lea and Jared Whitburn make up the forward pack, while Sione Pangata, Kasanova Saone, Ed Latiu, Willie Tahitua, Nick Cutmore and Simi Fuluasou will form the basis of the backline.
KUROW
Coaches: Richard Pledger/John Mathias.
Kurow has lost three key players from last season. Prop Clayton Rowlands has gone overseas, Willie Hands has transferred to MacKenzie in South Canterbury, and Kyle Jarvis is building in Queenstown.
A newcomer is first five-eighth Tyler Sturgess. Winger Simeli Koniferedi will return from Fiji for another season, and prop Viliami Uhatasi will join the ranks. Halfback Ross McCone, midfielder Levi Fogarty and forwards Michael Paterson, Marshall Smith and Wallace Milne are back with Kurow.
VALLEY
Coaches: Nathan Cunningham/Barry Fox.
Blair Malcolm, Bruce Newlands, Cameron Rowland, Dan Keno and Brock Hamilton will be absent from the Valley lineup this season. These losses have been compensated by the arrival of Aaron McKay (lock/six), Keegan Murphy (lock/flanker), Ryan Ambler (lock/six) and Dylan Edwards (midfield).
Valley will not lack experience, with Nick Webster, Cameron Schultz, Scott Rowland, Brad Morton, Eric Duff, Sean Conlan, Rob Mafileo, Hamish Wade, Mark Roney, Brad McKenzie, Dean Paterson, Hamish Gold, Cameron Mitchell and Matt Ikiwai all lining up for 2014.
MAHENO
Coaches: Josh Clark/Dallas Newlands.
For the first time in a decade and a-half, there will be no Ross Hay on the team list. The New Zealand schools representative, first-class centurion and Heartland XV representative has indicated he won't be available. But there is an air of confidence in the club as, for the first time in years, it has a backline running with everyone playing in position.
There is a solid group of experienced players in Andrew Fisher, Hayden Tisdall, James Symes, Mike Hore, Jamie Robb, Josh Clark and Robbie Smith, who will return from overseas for the second round.
Newcomers include Joe Marston, from England, who can play in the threequarters, hooker Chris Darby, from Green Island, halfback Mark McCaslin, first five-eighth Chris Jennings, from Dunedin, Jed Kennedy, Adam Johnston, Regan Smith and Grant Donnelly, while it is hoped that Carn Parata (Ranfurly) will also join Maheno.
- Terry O'Neill.
