Alexandra
Coaches: Ian Fraser and Wayne Fulton.
Tipped over a number of sides in the early rounds last season. Faded towards the end, but has a stable squad. The future looks bright for the Shane Harrex-captained team. Lance Davies is back to anchor the tight five, while Simon Williams will lead the backs. Top six is possible.
Arrowtown
Coaches: Hayden Finch and Simon Spark.
A Central Otago powerhouse in recent years, Arrowtown faces an uphill battle this season with 16 players gone and 18 new faces. Captain Aidan Winter is in Germany, lock Daniel Dodds has moved to Australia and experienced loosie Dan Iosefo is at Wakatipu. New captain and 2012 Central Otago player of the year Ben Chisholm will lead from the front.
Clyde-Earnscleugh
Coach: Shaun O'Docherty.
Last season's semifinalist has the majority of its starting XV back. Hooker Reuben O'Connell and outside back Kurt Checketts have gone to Australia but they have been replaced by Lee Terewi (Christchurch) and Richard Ferguson (East Coast Bays). Cory Crosbie will again captain the side and old heads like Jai Baxter and Shane Excel will provide valuable direction.
Cromwell
Coaches: Jason Clark and Ross Falconer.
After a dire 2012, Cromwell has had big numbers at trainings and should be competitive in its 125th anniversary year. Captain Ant Dickey and Blake McPhee will play key roles, and the return of winger Charlie Tiko, from Fiji, will provide spark out wide.
Cromwell Black
Coaches: Whetu Taewa and Murray King.
The second-tier Cromwell side will be well coached but it is hard to see it being competitive, or even getting through the season without having to default.
Maniototo
Coach: Dave Hunter.
The traditional powerhouse suffered a minor player drain last season and was definitely not its normal self. Veteran first five Charlie Hore is back, as are the Dowling boys in the pack. Willi Clouston has returned after being with Matakanui for the past couple of years.
Matakanui Combined
Coach: Andrew Paterson.
Battled away last season without too much reward, but tried hard every week. With the same core of players, should be able to upset a couple of sides. First five Stu Melville is gone, but captain Kieran Eathorne and Otago Country prop Nick Gee should hold the team together.
Roxburgh
Coaches: Warren Johnston and Bruce Hansen.
Asked to play in the premier competition in its 125th jubilee year, after four years in the senior B grade and, before that, a 10-year hiatus from Central Otago rugby. Publican and club stalwart Gary Moore deserves much of the credit. Will be tough, but with Chris Pemberton at the helm, and the same nucleus of players as in 2012, Roxburgh is feeling positive.
Upper Clutha
Coach: Rod Bowler.
Has run hot and cold in recent seasons. Openside flanker Fraser Dowling and fellow youngster Scott Cunningham are players to watch, while Kerry Hondelink and Nick Thompson have not hung up the boots yet. Tom Hudson will again captain the side.
Wakatipu
Coaches: Damien Petre and Dan Iosefo.
Won the Central Otago and Otago Country competitions, and the White Horse Cup, last year. Most of the key players are back, with the big loss being outstanding openside Marcus Balchin, to Kaikorai. Dan Iosefo has returned after being in Arrowtown for the past few seasons and captain Regan Pearce will lead his side around the park. With the likes of Mark Te Whaiti and Danny King out wide, Wakatipu will again be the team to beat.
Wakatipu Wanderers
Coaches: Damien O'Connell and Spud Murphy.
It was 2007 when the Wanderers last played in the premier competition, and they suffered some heavy defeats. But the competition at training for a spot in the top side was fierce, so expect the Wanderers to cause a few surprises on their return to the top level.
Upper Clutha B was to play in the premier grade but withdrew on Thursday due to a lack of numbers.
