Defending Citizens Shield champion Old Boys looks to be the team to beat in premier club rugby again this season.
The side will have plenty of talent and will again be led by North Otago loose forward Joe Mamea. The biggest losses in the pack are North Otago lock Taua Limuloa, who has gone to Christchurch, and Uhulia Malafu, who has transferred to Excelsior.
Old Boys will have a strong front row in Samuela Kula, Ralph Darling and Unga Kefu, with locks Paula Fonokalafi and Lio Havili and flanker Ben Bloxham all turning out again.
Old Boys will field an exciting backline, with Matt Pearson returning from injury at halfback, Tai Aholeilei and Roma Sefo outside him and Henry Masoe on the wing. Newcomer Glen Paterson will be at fullback.
Athletic will field one of the strongest packs in the competition but unless there is improvement in the backs, its potential will not be fully realised.
Pita Fifita, Palenapa Mafi and Tavite Mafi form a powerful front row, while Jason Greaney and Aisake Fonua are two good locks. Viliami Leo, Dylan Winter, Richie Miomoi and Lotoa Lino will match most sides in the loose.
An acquisition this season is Soane Havea, who has represented Tonga as a halfback. Ofa Fatai is a great finisher providing the ball can get through the line and much will depend upon Simi Fuluasou, Simi Vai and Kasanova Soane in midfield.
The rugby revival continues in Kurow, with coaches Ross Paton and Regan Laughton having more than 30 players on the books.
Argentine prop Bruno Pani adds to the mix in the pack, which again will be led by loose forwards Wade Newlands and AJ Paton.
The backs will again be led by halfback Ross McCone and first five-eighth Rob Waldie, while newcomers include Argentine centre Jose Asensio and Craig Robson (Athletic).
There were fears earlier this season that Maheno would not be able to field a senior team but the green and blacks will line up this afternoon.
Maheno will have the use of three Americans this season: Brendan Grey (19), an inside back or fullback who has played for the United States under-20 team; Luke Rogusky (18), a prop; and Robbie Haehnel (24), a centre-winger.
The side will be coached by former North Otago front-rower Atalea Katoa, while there are none better in the loose than 2008 Heartland Championship player of the year Ross Hay.
North Otago coach Mike Mullins will also play for Maheno, in midfield, with Michael Hore at first five-eighth.
Excelsior, beaten 14-13 by Athletic in last year's semifinal, will again be a strong contender for top honours.
There will be plenty of competition in midfield and the outside backs from Lofi Asi, who has come from Canterbury, Inoke Finau, Daniel Keno, William Kofoed, Lisiate Lea and Tim Milmine, while there will be a lot of interest in Fijian winger Vilikisa Sayabo.
Tevisi Fetulaho, Ahila Malafu, Lance Martin, Andrew Matoto, Akili Namuaira and Tokelau Tatafu will be jostling for a slot in the front row, while Jason Millns, Kevin Kirkman, Richard Wilson, American recruit David Knicely and Sosaia Tangifolau will be in contention as locks.
The Valley backline will not lack experience. Mike Mavor and Nathan Cunningham, both of whom have played more than 200 games for the club, will be in midfield, while Hamish McKenzie and Nick Webster will be the inside backs.
Add Robert Borst to the mix and if experience counts for anything, Valley should be a shield contender. Borst, a former Taranaki lock and long-serving North Otago player now in his 40th year, will probably play on one side of the Valley scrum. Barry Fox, who led North Otago to the third division title in 2002, has shifted from the front row to lock .
