With the withdrawal of Pirates, a bye has come into the competition and Alhambra-Union is the first club to put its feet up this Saturday.
KAIKORAI
Last year: Champion
Co-coaches: Andy Hunter (sixth year), Ryan Martin (first year)
Squad:
Forwards: Jonah Aoina, George Hendry, Sidney Fidow, Alex Smith, Ryan Williams, James Hadfield, Mitch Pryde, Sam Wyber, Pita Sinamoni, Isimeli Tuivaga, Blair Tweed, Matt McNamara, Massimo Kirikiri, Slade McDowall, Johnny Appleby, Shane Calder, Nathan Hull, Iakopa Mapu, Christian Leo Willie, Patrick McCurran
Backs: Josh Renton, Kadin Brocks, Tim Hogan, Ben Miller, Mitch Purvis, Danny van der Voort, Kieran Fowler, Matt Jones, Sean Connor, Jordan McEntee, Chris Whitley, Logan Moore, George Thomas, Jake Hamer, Corey Miller, Byron Dodge.
Kaikorai won nine consecutive games to win the title last season - its first senior banner since 1997. But some very notable absences have stripped the defending champion of much potency. Classy centre Jayden Spence is in France. He played a huge role in the final, setting up three tries in the 29-22 win against Dunedin. Speedy fullback Tony Ensor is also in France, while loose forwards Paul Grant (United Kingdom) and Lee Allan (retired) are also unavailable.
''We're a very different team this year,'' co-coach Andy Hunter said.
''But we've got a number of young players to the club ... and we will fill those slots. And other squad members from last year will just have to step up.''
Up front, Kaikorai will look to get parity through props George Hendry and Jonah Aoina, while lock Blair Tweed is a reliable source of ball. Talented openside Slade McDowall has an ankle injury, though, and will be sidelined for six weeks.
Halfback Josh Renton and first five-eighth Ben Miller form a talented combination, while winger Matt Jones is a quality finisher.
DUNEDIN
Last year: Beaten finalist
Coach: Keith Cameron (second year), Kane Jury (assistant)
Squad:
Forwards: Joshua Thorn, Brendon Eathorne, Donald Brighouse, Teague McIlroy, Lausei Pritchard, Sam Anderson-Heather, Ayden Lloyd, Nathan O'Brien, Elliot Adams, Harry Dodds, Mark Grieve-Dunn, Richard Thompson, Alex Ainley, Ashley Craig, Morgan Reedy, Hame Toma, Jamie Mowat, Profitu Fesili, Gareth Evans
Backs: Will Cosgriff, Jono Ruru, Louis Tili, George Witana, Shelford Meads, Charlie McCartin, Caleb Young, Fapene Popoali'i, Rob Thompson, Leroy van Dam, Guy Woodhouse, Mone Palu, Zac Harrison-Jones, Tom Cossens, Cameron Hay
Otago and Pirates halfback Jonathan Ruru is joining a Dunedin squad which features eight new players this season.
He will add some punch behind what was arguably the best forward pack in the competition last season.
Dunedin forced its way into the final by playing some simple rugby. Lock Mark Grieve-Dunn and rugged flanker Hame Toma were never far from the ball. And with a front row featuring Sam Anderson-Heather and Donald Brighouse, Dunedin will boast a formidable pack again.
There is some talent in the backline with outside back Leroy van Dam presenting the most obvious threat.
But Dunedin has lost the services of first five-eighth Scott Eade which could be a problem. Coach Keith Cameron is confident the camp has cover.
''We've still got Louis Tili and a young up-and-coming first five by the name of George Witana who has come down from Sacred Heart [in Auckland]. So we will be looking at developing George and he has definitely shown us what he is capable of doing.''
UNIVERSITY
Last year: Beaten semifinalist
Coach: Rahul Das (third year), Brendon Timmins (assistant, first year)
Squad:
Forwards: Matt Broadbent, Sam Dickson, Adrian Fou, Callum Hardie, Tom Hardy, Max Hunt, Ricky Jackson, Kilipati Lea, Henry Lissaman, Cory Morrison, Jack Murray, Nick O'Connell, Sam Pene, Damien Scott, Jim Smith, Jack Sherratt, Tom Stevens, Sione Teu, Angus Williams, Josh Dickson, Dillon Hunt, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Backs: Sam Aitken, Dan Crowley, Stephen Fenemor, Fa'asiu Fuata'i, Taylor Haugh, Sam McLachlan, Connor McLeod, Tom Morrison, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes, Richard Buckman, Gavin Stark, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Mike Williams.
University has done such a good job getting its players promoted it has had to lean on Otago Boys' High School for some new recruits.
The club has picked up two of the better players in loose forward Sam Dickson and hooker Ricky Jackson.
They were both named in the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team last year. Sam is the younger brother of Highlanders back-up lock Josh Dickson and Jackson is highly rated.
''They are both promising footballers and are wanting to go further in the game,'' coach Rahul Das said.
On the loss side of the ledger, University has lost its captain with Sam Sturgess moving on. The experienced hooker is playing professionally in Spain.
Halfback Kaide Whiting has moved home to Nelson and is playing rugby up there.
With Highlanders pivot Fletcher Smith unlikely to feature for the club much this season, Taylor Haugh and the Stephen Fenemor will compete for a starting spot at first five-eighth.
Loose forward Dillon Hunt has been called into the Highlanders as well which will leave No8 Sione Teu carrying a heavy workload at the breakdown.
Otago outside back Fa'asiu Fuata'i will take over the captaincy, while midfield back Thomas Umaga-Jensen will see more action with the departure of second five-eighth Shae Tucker. He has signed for North Harbour.
Sam Pene and Josh Timu will follow in the footsteps of their fathers, All Blacks Arran Pene and John Timu, in playing for the University top side.
HARBOUR
Last year: Beaten semifinalist
Co-coaches: Scott Guthrie (first year) and Hale T-Pole (second year)
Squad:
Forwards: Sekonaia Pole, George Bower, Aidan Spence, Benny Rumble, Morgan Buchanan, Christan Schaff, Ben Whale, Sione Misiloi, Alan Burling, Chucky Koroi, Tim Medder, James Tomkinson, Pasejon Tili, Keegan Simpson, Nick Hegarty, Nathan Connell
Backs: Tala Fagasoaia, Vinnie Isherwood, Ewan Brumwell, Logan Allen, Jerome Harimate, Sala Halaleva, Marckis Schaff, Hemaua Samasoni, Ngana Nicholas, Shaun Crawford, Nathan Greer, Dan Keen, Jamie Angus, Joe Boswell, Sio Tomkinson.
Harbour must be the best team not to have won the banner in recent times.
The Hawks were knocked out by Dunedin in the semifinal last year and may lack some direction this season with a gap in the key position of first five-eighth.
Joe Collins played there last season but has moved home to Waikato.
Otago utility back Sio Tomkinson may fill in at pivot but the Otago Rugby Football Union will dictate terms to a certain degree.
Ewan Brumwell can play there but is probably better suited to inside centre, while Sam Porter, who has come up through the grades, is possibly out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
That leaves the Hawks underresourced in a crucial area of the field.
The Hawks will also be missing the X-factor of Naulia Dawai. The explosive loose forward is playing for Connacht in Ireland, while veteran front rower Pete Mirrielees has gone to Green Island.
Both are abrasive players who bring a lot of physicality to the game.
There is still plenty of pace out on the fringes with Jerome Harimate and Sala Halaleva forming a potent combination on the wings. Harimate may shift in a spot to centre this year.
Halfback Tala Fagasoaia has thrived behind Harbour's powerful pack and always has an impact on a game.
Loose forward Charles Elton will captain the side but has a foot injury and will miss up to a month of rugby. Fellow loosie Ben Whale will captain in his absence.
SOUTHERN
Last year: Fifth
Coach: Barry Stevens (replaces Colin Tuaine), Dion Lodd and Paul Miller (assistants)
Squad:
Forwards: Josh Clark, Harry Flood, Kyle Harris, Axel Hohneck, Cameron Keech, Adam Knight, Simon Knight, Mika Mafi, Michael Mata'afa, Craig Millar, Andrew Sanders, Hisa Sasagi, Ben Scorgie, Joe Weatherall
Backs: Josh Buchan, Wilson Driver, Brett Harris, Mackenzie Haugh, Jono Hayes, Bryce Hosie, Josh Ioane, Ben Leggat, Rema Smith, Pilu Tavake, Paul Tupai, Josh Walden, Tei Walden.
Southern struggled with injuries early on but came right towards the end of the season. The Magpies have more depth this year and have benefited from Pirates' demise with prop Hisa Sasagi, loose forward Josh Clark, midfield back Paul Tupai and outside back Ben Scorgie joining Southern. With players such as Mika Mafi, Josh Ioane, Josh Walden, Adam Knight and Mike Mata'afa also in the mix, the team should return to the playoffs at the very least.
''Keeping guys on the park so we can pick the same 22 week in and week out means you are more likely to get wins,'' Southern assistant coach Dion Lobb said.
Powerful inside centre Hemaua Samasoni has transferred to Harbour but Southern will look to use Highlander Tei Walden when he is available. His brother, Josh, will combine with Ioane, who has just been called into the Highlanders as cover, in one of the better inside parings in the competition.
''We're hoping for big things out of him this year and are hoping he can kick on [for Otago] and push young Fletcher Smith at that No10 position.''
Southern has a formidable side on paper and perhaps shapes as early favourite.
Paul Miller has shifted from Pirates and will be Southern's assistant coach.
TAIERI
Last year: Sixth
Coach: Phil Young replaces Murray Roulston, Adam Whaanga, David Hunter (assistants, first year)
Squad:
Forwards: Josep Laben, Nick Gee, Stuart Barlow, Brendon Murdoch, Nick Henderson, Cam Woods, Vinnie O'Connell, Josh Brown, Jarrod Graham, Riley McDowall, Josh Reid, Brodie Hume, Josh Turnbull, Ethan Harrex, Sam Fischell, Braden Jane, Jordy Bungard
Backs: Daine Lowery, Ryan Hammer, Tyler Ford, Rory van Vugt, Brodie Flannery, Marc Rooney, Jack Stewart, Vinnie Booiman, Christian Kelly, Connor Fifita, Glen Beadle, Josh Casey, Mitchell Scott, Shannon Young, Kori Rupene.
Taieri is rebuilding after a tumultuous season for the premier team.
The 2014 champion made a good beginning to its campaign but a string of losses resulted in coach Erik Vaafusuaga being replaced midway through the season by Murray Roulston.
Veteran coach Phil Young takes over the reins this season and the focus is on bringing younger players through.
''We have a bit of depth in the club from our colts, so our attitude is we like to bring them through,'' Young said.
''We've got some massive losses.''
Outside back Michael Collins is with the Blues. Highlanders loose forward James Lentjes is out with an elbow injury. Hard-running prop Aki Seiuli is also with the Highlanders and unlikely to feature much.
Hard-working loose forward Willis Scott has moved home to Nelson.
''There are still one or two guys with experience and that is why I say we are a very young team.''
Taieri still has some quality players in key positions. First five-eighth Josh Casey will look to continue the progress he has made in the No10 jersey.
Utility back Kori Rupene is an experienced campaigner and loose forward Brodie Hume always stands out.
Otago outside back Mitchell Scott has a foot injury and will miss ''two or three weeks''. But he is an elusive ball runner who can turn defence into attack.
Midfield back Matt Whaanga is nursing a knee injury and is due to return in the next few weeks as well.
GREEN ISLAND
Last year: Seventh
Coach: Dean Moeahu (second year), Corey Kara (assistant, second year)
Squad:
Forwards: Timoni Tawaketini, Terry Gough. Mitch Turner, Mark Makasini, Richard Te Nahu, Peter Mirrielees, Brett Kingsbury, Woody Kirkwood, Sam Moir-Grace, Ben Lang, Jared Williams, Tim Heller, Matt McCutcheon, Hayden McBride, Hamish Clapp, Motu Hutch, Jackson Hemopo.
Backs: Devin Stapley, Scott Emerson, Tim King, Ben Patston, Taylor Moeahu, Sunia Makasini, Sam Eriepa (captain), Latu Siaki, Malakai Tohi, Kane Pomare, Mitch Kelly, Te Marino Huriwai-Briggs, Brad Lee, Alex Barnsley, Shane McNoe
The only way was up for Green Island last year.
It finished the 2015 season winless but surprised last winter with six wins. At one stage, the playoffs even looked possible.
But having clawed its way to seventh, the club would like to keep building on its progress.
One player who was instrumental in helping reverse Green Island's fortunes was former Highlanders prop Ross Geldenhuys. He is with the Port Elizabeth-based Kings this season and will be sorely missed in the front row.
Busy hooker Ricky Hollamby and prop Mike Bennett have also moved on. They have gone on their OE.
''They are the guys who would have really carried it [the progress] on this year,'' coach Dean Moeahu said.
Veteran front rower Pete Mirrielees has joined Green island from Harbour and former John McGlashan College prop Brett Kingsbury will bolster the stocks as well.
Highlanders lock Jackson Hemopo is back for another stint. He has arguably been the most powerful ball runner in club rugby for the past two years.
Former Southern first five-eighth Ben Patston has returned from a year off and will compete for the No10 jersey, while Pirates lock Jared Williams will boost the lineout.
Outside back Kane Pomare from Northland is new to the team and might be one to watch, while fullback Alex Barnsley sprained his ankle at training and may miss a game or two.
ALHAMBRA-UNION
Last year: Eighth
Coach: Allan Wheeler replaces Ben Herring, Bevan Townsend (assistant)
Squad:
Forwards: Alex Frood, Nathan Seiuli, Tristan Fuli, Josh Taylor, Witana Petley, Harley Iraia, Jordan Gush, Jimmy Hewitt, Sean Boult, Ben Webby, Callum Donnelly, Hayden Fleury, Talalelei Ulutui, Max Aitkenhead, Jacob Coughlan, Ty Pelasio, Ben Tuiomanufili, Connor van Turnhout.
Backs: Caleb Gray, Legin Felix-Hotham, Zach Porter, Tom Fitzgibbon, Poasa Cama, Junior Vitale, Sione Latu, Ben Quaqua, Casper Harvey, Adam Simpson, Jona Nareki, Vilimoni Koroi, John Tapueluluheu
After some lean years, Alhambra-Union coach Allan Wheeler believes the club has more depth and should climb up the competition ladder a few spots.
The club had to settle for four wins and eighth place last season. It could have easily picked up a few more wins and finished further up the standings. That is the aim this season.
''We have a lot more depth in the forwards which is really exciting,'' Wheeler said.
Experienced No8 Lance Barbarich is not available this season but loose forward Jacob Coughlan is back for another stint in a pack featuring Tristan Fuli, Harley Iraia, Ben Webby, Ty Pelasio and the highly-rated Ben Tuiomanufili.
Halfback Caleb Gray will have someone different outside him with Rhys Morgan back in Wales. Poasa Cama will slot in at first five-eighth in his absence.
National sevens player Vilimoni Koroi has linked up with Alhambra-Union. The 18-year-old is one of the best outside backs in his age-group in the country and his arrival will help make up for the departure of fullback Noah Cooper, who has moved home to Northland.
But he will not be sighted for a while with national sevens commitments.
Legin Felix-Hotham made a strong impression in the midfield and shapes as a key player, while winger Jona Nareki has plenty of pace and has been named in the New Zealand under-20 training squad.
ZINGARI-RICHMOND
Last year: Ninth
Coach: Andrew Melville (fourth year), Trevor Shanks, Neil Brew (assistants)
Squad:
Forwards: Bailey Matoe, Ciaran Jansen, Graham Tauira, Liam Sharples, Lafaele Fa'amoe, Chris Bell, Conrad Williams, Jack Wolfreys, Luke van Gorp, Tom Rowe, Chris Preddy, Eli Tonga, Jahvard Sampson-Noble, Mathew McCormick, William Woods, Chris Shields, George Frame, Karl Still, Reilly Leonard.
Backs: Alister Butterfield, Kodai Shibuya, Shaun Dungey, Thomas Johnson, Chris McNoe, Marty McKenzie, Tarras Duncan, Zayden Tane, Dwayne Corcoran, Ronin Ainsley, Tatai Proctor, Shaun Driver, Taylor Fiddes
Zingari-Richmond has maintained most of its talent from last year and with another year together is looking to push on.
It finished ninth last year and was competitive in most games. But a lack of depth often cost it at the back end of games and injuries also did not help.
The side has welcomed lock Eli Tonga, who flirted between Harbour and Southern last year. He has wandered up the hill to Montecillo although he may be heading to Southland, with the Southland coaches keen for him to become a Stag.
University flanker Jack Wolfreys has moved to the club and will be a welcome addition to the forward pack.
The Colours were a determined outfit last year and played hard throughout the match but lacked quality in some areas.
Lock and loose forward Tom Rowe is still around and his expertise at the lineout will be useful. Other mainstays continue with Chris Bell around for another year although he will miss the first few rounds with a leg injury.
Out the back, Thomas Johnson and Chris McNoe are young backs looking to take the step up after a couple of years of premier rugby.
Taylor Fiddes is back at the club as is Shaun Driver. Former Highlander Neil Brew will not be playing but will help out with the backs.
Squads supplied by clubs.
