Hayden Parker won the banner for Taieri last year when he kicked a last-minute, long-range penalty goal at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
But the ace goal-kicker is on Highlanders duty and he may miss a fair chunk of the club season this year.
Goal kicking could become Taieri's Achilles heel this year because Andrew Reid, the other serious goal-kicker over the past few years, has retired and become the assistant coach.
Key players in the backline are the hard-tackling and aggressive-running Kieran Moffat, who scored 13 tries last winter, and wing Kori Rupene, who scored 11, while Tom Davie is back after recovering from a broken leg.
Dunedin's Ed Baker is back for his eighth year as a premier coach - six with Dunedin and two with Harbour.
His team reached its fourth final under his leadership last year and was just 30 seconds away from winning the banner.
Dunedin has boasted a strong scrum and powerful front row over the past few years, but the loss of experienced props Finnbahr Boyle, Dan Cairns, Kelsey Miller and Ben Martin will weaken its scrum.
Baker believes the recruitment of North Canterbury wing Rowan McKenzie and the return of Sione Pulu from injury will give Dunedin its fastest backline in the six years he has coached the premier team.
A key player in the Dunedin team is counter-attacking fullback Liam Edwards, who has been a prolific points-scorer in his first two years of premier club rugby. However, he will miss the first few weeks because of an elbow injury.
The astute Barry Stevens has returned to the head coaching spot with Southern and his vast experience will give stability to a new-look Southern team that has lost 17 players from last year's squad of 36.
The Magpies have lost two veterans with the retirement of midfield back Luke Herden, who played 208 premier games for the club, and hooker and front-row specialist Jed Vercoe, who is taking the year off due to family commitments.
University A is looking to continue on from last year when it went on a winning run to come from the back of the pack to qualify for the semifinals.
It has kept the bulk of its squad and will be looking to the likes of No 8 Paul Grant, halfback Nick Annear and second five-eighth Guy Schwikkard to show leadership.
Big lock Josh Dickson has joined the squad from Otago Boys' High School while former Otago Country coach Marty Hurring is assisting John Hyde this season.
Alhambra-Union has had its usual turnover of players, with the likes of James Willocks, Ben Pereira and Matt Kissock all leaving the club.
The side will be captained by Peter Breen, who has matured over the past couple of years, while halfback Caleb Gray is back from England and will add some ability behind the pack.
Kaikorai was a tad slow out of the blocks last year and needs to get up and running quickly this season.
There is plenty of talent in the team and the connection with Otago Country rugby has brought former Clutha players, Simon Grant - brother of Otago captain Paul Grant - and Tyler Bichan to the club.
New Zealand schools halfback Josh Renton will join the squad although the team will miss captain Adam Hill, who has moved to Wellington.
Harbour has three relatively recent sons at the helm. Former Highlanders loose forward Hale T-Pole, former Otago hooker Peter Mirrielees and former Otago loose forward Eben Joubert will share the coaching duties.
T-Pole and Mirrielees will also play, with Mirrielees to be rejoined in the front row by well-performed prop Ben Nolan. Hadleigh May is the key man in the loose.
Rising star Aleki Morris should feature in the backline after leaving Otago Boys' High School while Lex Kaleca and Ollie Cuthill are other key backs.
Evergreen halfback Dean Moeahu is back for Green Island after reaching the milestone of 200 premier games last winter.
However, the loss of prop Josh Beer, who is playing for Toko, and goal-kicking first five-eighth Joe Bartlett, who has returned to England, will be costly. Bartlett scored 156 points last year.
Brett McCormack is back for his fourth year as coach and he will have Moeahu as his assistant.
Zingari-Richmond was much improved last season and is again looking to take another couple of steps up.
It should be able to call on returning midfield back Neil Brew and also has secured big lock Joe Latta.
Latta, who played for New Zealand Colts last year, has returned from Wellington, but has a hip injury and may not be sighted this season.
Experienced midfield back Ben Kent has gone to Australia.
The only way is up for Pirates, which finished 10th and last in the competition in 2012.
A promising newcomer is halfback Tyrone Davies, who attended Waitaki Boys' High School, while Marshall Suckling will be the major attacking threat in the backs. Classy first five Glenn Dickson is co-coaching and may not play much as he weighs up his future.
The forward pack looks solid. It has a good front row, anchored by Craig Miller and Hisa Sasagi, which will be supported by talented utility Josh Clark and rampaging loose forward Solomon T-Pole.
Team-by-team analysis
Taieri
Last year: Champion.
Coaches: Jason Macdonald (second year), Andrew Reid (assistant).
Gains: Nick McLennan (Perth), Jared Graham (Taieri Colts), Alex Fitzgerald (OBHS), Will McKee (Colts), Taylor Fiddes (Colts).
Losses: Andrew Reid (assistant coach), Justin Ives (Nelson), Nathan Young (retired), Rhys Collins (Queenstown).
Key players: Backs Ben Nowell, Kieran Moffat, Michael Collins, loose forwards Charlie O'Connell, Willis Scott.
Squad
Forwards: Charlie O'Connell (captain), Brett Anderson, Aki Seiuli, Dean Collins, Nick McLennan, Jared Graham, Charlie Harrex, William Hurst, Henry Parker, Karl Still, Kurt Webster, Karl Bloxham, Matthew Davidson, Mike McKee, Brodie Hume, Alex Fitzgerald, Logan O'Connell, Ben Kerr, Willis Scott.
Backs: Ryan Hammer, Kurt Hammer, Nick Roulston, Ben Nowell, Will McKee, Michael Collins, Kieran Moffat, Shannon Young, Tom Davie, Taylor Fiddes, Glen Beadle, Matt O'Sullivan, Kori Rupene, Kurt Schrader.
Dunedin
Last year: Second.
Coaches: Ed Baker (eighth year), Mark Scully (assistant).
Gains: Kaitu Kaufana (returns), Sione Pulu (return from knee operation), Rowan McKenzie (North Canterbury).
Losses: Finnbahr Boyle (injured), Dan Cairns (Invercargill), Kelsey Miller (Hawkes Bay), Ben Martin (Kaikorai), Mark Atkins (Taranaki), Fraser Lau (retired).
Key Players: Fullback Liam Edwards, hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, loose forwards Hugh Blake and Gareth Evans, halfback Brad Weber, centre Tumua Ioane.
Squad
Forwards: Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Aaron Clark, Will Henry, Richard Peters, Sean Smith, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Richard Thompson, Sam Poole, Martin Swaffield, Gareth Evans, Hugh Blake, Tom Logan, Joe Dobson, Willy Meads, Mitchell Zandstra.
Backs: Brad Weber, Freddy Greenslade, Pera Gibbs, Liam Edwards, Tumua Ioane, Kaitu Kafana, Laupepa Karalus, Kai Daniel, Jesse Toto, Trent Renata, Rowan McKenzie, Sione Pulu, Ashton Tuck, Tim Tolovai.
Southern
Last year: Third.
Coaches: Barry Stevens (returned to replace Tim Belcher), Jason Jones (assistant).
Gains: Jonny Simmons (Bay of Plenty), Jonnie Hughes (Harbour), Lafaele Faamoe (Kaitangata), Tom Sourice (Toulon, France), Eroni Sotutu (Southland Academy).
Losses: Luke Herden (retired), Jed Vercoe (family commitments), Harry Uffindell (finished studies), Hamish Buick (Wellington), Joe Hill (Wellington), Sam Gibson (Christchurch).
Key players: Flanker TJ Ioane, prop Warren Moffat, lock-No 8 Tom Franklin, first five-eighth Ben Patston.
Squad
Forwards: Dan Baxter, Ben Carpenter, Sam Crompton, Lafaele Faamoe, Tom Franklin, Tyler Golightly, TJ Ioane, Adam Knight, Simon Knight (captain), Willie McBride, Michael Mata'afa, Warren Moffat, Tom Scanlan, Jonny Simmons, Tom Sourice, Ryan Thompson, Sam Thomson, Sam Tye, Marc van der Vliet.
Backs: Apelu Alapati, Nathan Cargo, Hani Pale Galo, Mike Henty, Bryce Hosie, Jonnie Hughes, Marc Minnaar, Ben Patston, Robbie Smith, Eroni Sotutu, Josh Walden, Tei Walden.
University
Last year: Fourth
Coaches: John Hyde (third year), assisted by Marty Hurring (first year)
Gains: Josh Dickson (Otago Boys'), Mitchell Purvis (Wellington), Hunter Prescott (Wellington), James Dent (Canada), Tim Shearer (colts), Adam Heap (colts).
Losses: Sam Henry (studies), Anthony Le Dovarin (France).
Key players: No 8 Paul Grant, lock Rob Verbakel, hooker Sam Sturgess, first five-eighth Stephen Fenemore, centre Faasiu Fuatai.
Squad
Forwards: Sam Buchanan, Tama Tuirirangi, Sam Sturgess, Hunter Prescott, Sean Rankin, Angus Williams, Nick Grant, Josh Dickson, Rob Verbakel, Sinoe Teu, James Dent, Dale Jarden, Jack Wolfreys, Oliver Colmar-Jones, Paul Grant (captain).
Backs: Nick Annear, George Vance, Stephen Fenemore, Willie Mushet, Guy Schwikkard, Harry Corkill, Faasiu Fuatai, Tim Shearer, Jonte Lexmond, Adam Heaps, Sam McLachlan, Matt Faddes, Jake Moore, Kieran Parker, Mitchell Purvis.
Alhambra-Union
Last year: Fifth
Coaches: Marty Grey (fourth year), John Frood (fourth year).
Gains: Caleb Grey (back from England), Theo Herwini-Harden (Southland).
Losses: Matt Kissock (Scotland), Ben Pereira (Wellington), James Willocks (United States), Rory Naylor (Australia).
Key players: First five-eighth Peter Breen, prop Scott Manson, outside back Corey McFadzen, lock-loose forward Jeremy McKee.
Squad
Forwards: Graeme Cashmore, Jeremy McKee, Mike Kapua, Cody Oughton, Ben Traill, Roger Meyers, Tom Haughton, Michael Colville, Tom Viggo (vice-captain), Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Esafe Havea, Corey Barrett, Calin Gibson.
Backs: Corey McFadzean, Tili Puloka, James Stevenson -Wright, Noah Cooper, Ken Hellier, Colin Davies, Theo Heewini-Harden, Peter Breen (captain), Mike Moeahu, Tom Docherty, Caleb Grey
Kaikorai
Last year: Sixth
Coaches: Andrew Hunter (second year), assisted by Willie Lawson (first year)
Gains: Ben Martin (Dunedin), Smion Grant (Clutha), Tyler Bichan (Clutha), Josh Renton (Otago Boys'), Sean Connor (Otago Boys').
Losses: Adam Hill (Wellington), Jim Stevenson (farming), Jack Stewart (Australia).
Key players: Loose forward Lee Allan, lock Blair Tweed, midfield back Jayden Spence, fullback Tony Ensor.
Squad
Forwards: Rob Griffiths, Matt Cowie, Ben Martin, George Hendry, Lachie Landle, Blair Kennedy, Andy Brun, Willie Miller, Blair Tweed, Lee Allan, Simon Grant, Nathan Hull, Kyle Harris, Marcus Balchin, Johnny Appleby.
Backs: Josh Renton, Matt Te Tana, Cameron Rutherford, Jayden Spence, Hayden Wyber, Danny van der Voort, Sam Cross, Sean Connor, Bryce Morgan, Dan Hyndman, Tyler Bichan, Matt Direen, Tony Ensor.
Harbour
Last year: Seventh.
Coaches: Hale T-Pole, Peter Mirrielees and Eben Joubert (replace John Keenan).
Gains: Mirrielees (Scotland), Ben Nolan (Hong Kong), Aleki Morris (Otago Boys'), Jamie Brown (Clutha).
Losses: Eben Joubert (retired), Johnny Legg (Canterbury), Angus Duckett (Scotland).
Key players: Hooker Mirrielees, flanker Hadleigh May, midfield back Lex Kaleca.
Squad
Forwards: Peter Mirrielees (captain), Ben Nolan, Greg Resteiux, Nick Harwood, Ed Elvin, Ola Vala, Hadleigh May, Hale T'Pole, Rob Mears, James Tonkinson, Weston Marr.
Backs: Jamie Brown, Ben Marshall, Ollie Cuthill, Lex Kaleca, Aleki Morris, Rima Smith, Loa Iloa, Damien Keen.
Green island
Last year: Eighth.
Coaches: Brett McCormack (fourth year), Dean Moeahu (assistant).
Gains: Matt McCutcheon (Green Island Colts), Jarred Fahey (Colts).
Losses: Josh Beer (Toko), Joe Bartlett (England). Key players: Prop Andre Clarke, lock Jackson Hemopo.
Squad Forwards: Simon McCarthy, Andre Clarke (captain), Richard Te Nahu, Sam Smith, Chris Darby, Jamie Waller, Ben Lang, Matt McCutcheon, Luke Johnston, Mika Mafi, Simon Tupu, Hamish Finnie, David Tawa, Jackson Hemopo.
Backs: Dean Moeahu, Stu Turner, Jarred Fahey, Dan Duke, Roma Sefo, James Spooner, Eli George, Sam Carr, Rob Rietveld, Sofele Tuiganala, Peteo Latu, Hayden McBride.
Zingari-Richmond
Last year: Ninth
Coaches: Brendon Timmins (second year), assisted by Arthur Stone (second year)
Gains: Neil Brew (Japan), Joe Latta (Wellington).
Losses: Ben Kent (Australia), Shota Horie (Melbourne).
Key players: Utility back Christian Walker, lock Tom Rowe, No 8 Chris Bell, loose forward Brady Carmichael.
Squad
Forwards: Chris Bell, Brady Carmichael (captain), Renaud Castel, Colin Enright, Benjamin Escoffier, John Fa'amoe, Royce Hill, Pit Humeau, Mathew Kiore, Joe Latta, Andrew Melville, Jesse Muir, Alex Nicholson, Chris Preddy, Steven Roberts, Tom Rowe.
Backs: Neil Brew, Tuhoro Christie, David Dam, Shaun Driver, Jack Facer, Dennis Heather, Nick Loan, Kelly Moore Campbell Musson, Invoke Naivalulevu, Nathan Napier, Stephen Scoles, Christian Walker, Enoka Taufua, Masiu Akauola.
Pirates
Last year: 10th.
Coaches: Paul Miller (third year) and Glenn Dickson.
Gains: Tyrone Davies (North Otago), Ben Sexton (Wakatipu), Tim Cossens (Christchurch).
Losses: Daniel Johnson (retired, though may occasionally be available), Steve Bruce (Australia).
Key players: Prop Craig Miller, lock-flanker Josh Clark, first five Louis Tili.
Squad
Forwards: Craig Miller (captain), Hisa Sasagi, Hayden Fleury, Hamish Clapp, Jordan Hoerara, Jake Maiono, Jarrod Williams, Andrew Johnson, Travis McIntosh, Josh Clark, Shaun McCarroll, Clinton Garrity, Solomon T-Pole, Ben Sexton, Mana Wright.
Backs: Ben West, Tyrone Davies, Tim Cossens, Andrew Bremner, Louis Tili, Uanisi Taungapeau, Jerry Arthur, Opini To'omalatai, Marshall Suckling, Ben Hanley, Dan Dam, Paul Tupai, Will Scorgie, Rory O'Brien, Poamo Aiiloilo.
