North Otago
Coach: Mike Mullins.
2007: Champion.
North Otago, last season's Meads Cup winner, will have all the necessary motivation for the season after failing to dislodge the Hanan Shield from Mid Canterbury's grasp last Saturday.
Mike Mullins has named 10 new players in the squad, including utility back Jone Paumau, centre Doug Edwards and loose forward Matt Clutterbuck, all from the Alhambra-Union club.
England under-19 representative Mike Penn lines up at fullback, while Hamish McKenzie, the former Wairarapa-Bush and New Zealand Heartland representative, has returned to his roots.
Absent will be goal-kicking five-eighth Glenn Dickson (Otago B), lock Luke Eketone, Grant Johnston (Sweden), Viliami Leo, Palenapa Mafi (injured), winger Scott Mayhew (Rotorua), AJ Paton, Seko Qaranaqio (Otago), winger Stephen Sasagi (Tasman), Cameron Schultz (Christchurch), Faiatu Tuamoheloa (Southland) and loose forward Regan Laughton.
North Otago will miss Dickson in midfield, with the second five-eighth position being shared between Nathan Cunningham and Mike Mavor.
Squad. - Forwards: John Blakely, Tobias Sekona, Toetuu Hausia, Aisake Fonua, Taua Limuloa, Samisoni Tongotongo, Ross Hay, Joe Mamea (captain), Lotu Tonga, Fraser Fletcher, Marc Comb, Sione Aho, Tuataina Samisoni, Matt Clutterbuck, Josh Collier.
Backs: Hamish McKenzie, Jeremy Te Huia, Siaosi Folau, Jone Paumau, Doug Edwards, Ekeroma Sefo, Pale Tuilagi, Jason Forrest, Nathan Cunningham, Lemi Masoe, Mike Penn, Nick Webster, Mike Mavor.
Buller
Coaches: Craig Neil and Craig Scanlon.
2007: Fifth.
Buller missed the Meads Cup play-offs last season by one point, a fine effort from a union that has only four clubs.
Providing the experience up front will be openside flanker Luke Brownlee, skipper Clark Nelson and fellow front-rowers Glen Atkin and Phil Beveridge.
Matt Bonisch is the key in the backs with the non-availability of Stu Neighbours with concussion.
Squad. -Forwards: Clark Nelson, Jamie Paul, Damian Bailey, Paul Clarkson, Mike O'Brien, Ryan Hughes, Luke Brownlee, Phil Rossiter, Brad Walters, Glen Atkin, Greg Stechman, Phil Beveridge, Matt Parata, Simon Lloyd, Casey Gibson, Francis Meredith.
Backs: Michael Mumm, Mitieli Kaloudigibeci, Jone Raqamate, Sam Marris, Scott Neighbours, Matt Bonisch, Nathan Thompson, Grant Fussell, Hayden Leach, Daniel Hooper, Andrew Stephens, Kevin Moore, Marcus Taylor.
East Coast
Coach: Denzil Meoke.
2007: 11th.
New East Coast coach Denzil Moeke has stated he will be playing his best XV in every game.
East Coast had a forgetable season in 2007, losing its first five games, but the side came back with wins over Horowhenua-Kapiti and Thames Valley.
No squad available.
Horowhenua-Kapiti
Coach: Ross Bond.
2007: 12th.
It will be a relatively new-look Horowhenua-Kapiti side for 2008, with props Bradley Cribb and Hadleigh Gardner unavailable along with first five-eighth Dion Nepia and lock Eldon Paea.
Fullback Ashley Drake may well be an absentee, while winger Thomas Ati-Ilaoa is now playing in Wellington.
On a more positive note, hooker Keith Milligan, halfback Sonny McBride, No 8 Shane Pihema and prop Malasia Lokeni are all available, while flanker-lock Chad Tustin and No 8 Laki Vitale have returned to the team.
Squad. -Forwards: Malasia Lokeni, James Ngatapuna, Masi Matakaiongo, Moko Cooper, Keith Milligan, Erin Doyle, Ryan Wessells, Morgan Edwin, James Oliver, Shane Pihema, Quentin Ruruku, Visse Finau, Chad Tustin, Laki Vitale.
Backs: Michael Papps, Rob Aloe, Sefo Tevita, John Tavite, James Fraser, Adam Vardey, Bryce Hesselin, Kupa Higgott, Warwick Lahmert, Marcus Sweetman.
King Country
Coach: Brett Coombes.
2007: Sixth.
King Country made the Meads Cup play-offs last season but then lost four matches in a row.
King Country's hopes will be bolstered by the return from a shoulder injury of Hone Wanden, a talented five-eighth.
The King Country side will be captained by hooker Nick Rule.
King Country is at home to 2007 Lochore Cup winner Poverty Bay.
Squad: Nick Rule, Quentin Brears, Quinn Matene, Damian Paranihi, Jared Needham, Jamarl Hona, Arrin Dunster, Lance Tibby, Ross Rua, Sam Mason, Narinda Tuipolutu, Beau Taylor, Matt Rule, Josh Standen, Roy Simpson, Hone Wanden, Jamie Maarhuis, Bruce Huata, Paul Olsen, Tony Chamberlain, Jarred Higgins, Luke Draper, Jarred Murrell, Richard Deed, Carl Smith.
Mid Canterbury
Coaches: Trevor Bokser and Wayne Foxcroft.
2007: Second.
Mid Canterbury will be looking to go one better than its second placing in the Meads Cup last season.
Already Mid Canterbury has dealt to Hanan Shield neighbours South Canterbury (37-19) and North Otago (35-21).
The side has a solid front row in Jason Rickards and Craig Dunlea, while Malcolm Baird has impressed with his line-out work.
In Jason Gill, Jon Dampney and Pete McAndrew Mid Canterbury has a loose forward trio capable of matching anything else in the competition.
Kieran Lindsay and David Maw will vie for the first five-eighth berth with both better than average goalkickers.
Lindsay plays for the Sydenham club in Christchurch and is a clubmate of second five-eighth Jack Umaga.
Manase Nonu is at centre, with speedster Brenton Connell on one wing, while Matt Ryan is an enterprising attacking fullback.
Squad. - Forwards: Craig Dunlea, James Carr, Jason Rickards, Malcolm Cairns, Dan Dwyer,Jon Dampney, Jason Gill, Pete Mcandrew, James Kora, Sefo Makaui, Fraser Hutchison, Ron Manu, Tom Mawle.
Backs: Matt Ryan, Kent Summerfield, Manase Nonu, Jack Umaga, Peter Shearer, Kieran Lindsay, Siaola Fifita, Mark Summerfield, Brenton Connell, Richard Fridd, Jason Feutz, Siale Lolohea, Daniel Maw.
Poverty Bay
Coach: Paul Feeney.
2007: Seventh.
Lochore Cup winner in 2007, Poverty Bay will be hoping to build on that this year.
Poverty Bay hopes to make the Meads Cup play-offs this year and, after its promising effort in its Ranfurly Shield challenge, it will have the confidence to go the whole way.
Key backs Shane Leach, Scott Leighton and Ian Logan will have important roles to play.
Squad: Maleko Sole, Jamie Hutana, Colin Hovell, Haimona Brown, Andrew Cribb, Russell Burns, Aquila Matanibucaka, Willis Tamatea, Chris Bell, Sione Ngatu, Alani Fonohema, Quentin King, Brent Ingram, Toby Duckworth, Michael Broadhurst, Keli Bola, Brad Turei, Shane Leach, Scott Leighton, Ian Logan, Tawhiri Walsh, Charlie Ngatai, Mangu Kemp, Josh Willoughby, Ratu Vosaki, Whai Chemis, Daniel Cornwall, James Warren.
South Canterbury
Coaches: Ken Wills and Barry Fairbrother.
2007: Eighth.
Coaches Ken Wills and Barry Fairbrother have named only 12 of last season's players in the 35-man squad for the 2008 season.
Twenty-four of the players come from either the Harlequins or Celtic clubs.
Absent is Steve Kotua, the pick of the South Canterbury backs last season.
Tui Tauelangi will lead the forward pack, while hooker Fainga'a Savieti will provide great back-up.
South Canterbury lacked pace out wide last season but this appears to be amended this year.
Luke Reihana, a midfield back from Alhambra-Union in Dunedin, will carry a lot of responsibility.
Squad. - Forwards: Dan Cummings, Maturo Siaosi, Ben Hewitson, Fainga'a Savieti, Timaru Tafu, Tui Tauelangi, Eric Smith, Craig Miller, Tevita Tuliakiono, Grant McLachlan, David Phiskie, Jeremy Bailey, Kali Latu, Tofamamoa Afia.
Backs: Richie Preston, Luke Reihana, Tony Fatai, Tanu Suavine, Darren O'Leary, Kalifi Latu, Tevita Latu, Patolo Tupola, Scott Norton, Seoli Tuiaki, Malakai Fonua, Maile Tongi.
Thames Valley
Coach: Noel Pickrang.
2007: 10th
Thames Valley has former Otago fullback Noel Pickrang as coach after Ross Cooper stepped down along with long-serving midfield captain Steven Hill.
Ryan Tohaia has been named as captain while vice-captain David Harrison will slot into midfield.
Squad. - Forwards: Sean Bagshaw, Cyril Clarkson, Bradley Chubb, Hayden Rasmussen, Ryan Tohaia (captain), Andrew Frater, Peter Buffet, Nick Holmes, Gavin Brewster, Mike Nation, Dion Sylvester, Filo Tu'uga, Israel Rangitaawa.
Backs: Daniel Gaskell, Daniel Hitchcock, Lance Easton, Malcolm Rawnsley, Joseph Murray, Michael Campbell, David Harrison, Chris Doak, Maurice Stone, Simon Adams.
Wairarapa
Coach: Kelvin Tantrum.
2007: Fourth.
New coach Kelvin Tantrum was thrust into the job after the union agreed to cancel the contract of Earl Va'a, who wished to coach in Japan.
Tantrum will be boosted by the return of lock Dylan Higginson and the experienced five-eighth pairing of Patrick Rimene and Nathan Riwai-Couch, but missing from 2007 are halfback Hamish McKenzie (North Otago), lock Dan Griffin(knee), utility backs Simau Simanu (Auckland) and Heemi Tupaea (thumb), while vice-captain Mike Spence is recovering from a collarbone injury.
Tantrum has James Bruce and Mike Hollis as inside backs, while Tomasi Kedrabuka will have a bigger role in the pack.
Tawa wing Julian Togia returns along with Upper Hutt lock/No 6 James Measor.
Newcomers to the side are centre Jordan Watene and South African first five-eighth Dean Grant.
Squad. - Forwards: Joe Harwood, Mike Spence, Dylan Higgison, Bret Rudman, Kurt Simmonds, Richard Puddy, Tomasi Kedrabuka, Jarod Bambury, James Measor, Mike Wilson, Nathan Rolls, Jarod Hawkins.
Backs: Michael Hollis, James Bruce, Paddy Rimene, Dean Grant, Nathan Rewai-Couch, Mike Shaw, Jordon Watene, Charlie Walker-Blair, Junior Togia, Lance Stevenson, Nick Olson.
Wanganui
Coach: Guy Lennox.
2007: Third.
New coach Guy Lennox, a Wanganui centurion, has introduced 11 new caps in the 25-player squad for this season.
He has named three loan players, all from Taranaki, in Johnny Mow, a winger who played four games in 2007, second five-eighth Mark Davis and another midfielder in Faaulou Soolefai.
Wanganui will be well served by inside backs Denning Tyrell and first five-eighth Leon Mason, while Lennox has converted former winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma into an attacking fullback.
Missing from 2007 are frontrower Mike Thompson, ex Waikato lock Dean Barr and veteran No 8 Nemia Adrole, while of the backs, Logan Vaughan is going to Afghanistan, fullback Brendon Bartley is unavailable, five-eighth Steelie Koro is injured and Daniel Hooper is now with Buller.
Squad. - Forwards:Cole Baldwin, Michael Fitzgerald, Matthew Gilbert, David Gower, Ron Katonivere, Justin Locke, Darren Munro, Shaun McDonough, Sheldon O'Hagan, Chris Rayner, Peter Rowe, Scott Sargison, Ian Smyth, Todd Wise.
Backs: Corey Carmichael, Cameron Crowley, Mark Davis, Josh Edwards, Caleb Maraka, Leon Mason, Johnny Mow, Aaron Parahi, Faapolou Soolefai, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Denning Tyrell.
West Coast
Coach: Anthony Lawry.
2007: Ninth.
West Coast will be hoping to build on its 2007 effort when it made the semifinals of the Lochore Cup before going down to South Canterbury 23-31.
West Coast rugby appears to be on the way up, with mining bringing in new players.
Corey Simpson, at first five-eighth, scored 93 points last season as a loan player but this season has joined the local club Wests.
Manu Weepu, a cousin of the All Black halfback, has returned after appearing as an 18-year-old in 2004 and will probably fill a spot in the midfield.
West Coast has lost loan player Mitchell Sincock, who played for Belfast but who has gone to Italy.
Squad. - Forwards: Sam Durie, Andrew Gadsby, Gordon Iafeta, Lomiga Vaaelua, Cameron Reed, Lassa Ulukata, Ofa Misa, Dave Crouchley, Kilifi Malungahau, Brad Houston, Blair Robinson.
Backs: Nick Wilson, Jacob Stevens, Eroni Uluibotoutu, Josh Cornish, Manu Weepu, Corey Simpson, James Ferguson, Steve McIlwrick, Mike Hende, Maleli Tora.
- Terry O'Neill
