Dunedin premier club rugby gets under way on Saturday. Sports reporter Adrian Seconi takes a look at how the nine teams are shaping up.
Taieri
Last year: Champion.
Coach: Jason Macdonald (second year), assistant Kurt Hammer (third year).
The Eels have got super boot Cameron Millar.
They have also collected five titles since 2011.
It is an impressive curriculum vitae.
The other eight teams will not be throwing in the kicking tee just yet. But Taieri will be disciplined on defence, well-organised up front, deadly within penalty range and very tough to beat.
Quick reminder — Millar kicked six penalties to help his side beat Green Island 21-17 in the final. He does miss, just not very often.
Taieri has stacked up its share of personnel losses. Lock Ben Morris has signed with Southland and will play one game before heading south. Midfielder Will Ngatai has moved away and outside back Glen Beadle has retired. Rugged loose forward Nick Henderson is under an injury cloud and it is unclear whether he will feature much this season.
Fullback Josh Casey has returned from Australia and will front for the Eels for the first time in two years.
Outside back Shannon Young is putting the boots back on after a break, and gun loose forward Leroy Ferguson will captain a team that will play percentage rugby and take any points on offer.
Squad —
Forwards: Tom Hill, Cam Allan-McNeil, Ben Fosita, Jared Burns, Brady Robertson, Liam Ferguson, Morgan Jones, Tom Bolton, Kace Shaw, Brodie Hume, Bradley Affleck, Shae Robertson, Josh Hill, Don Lolo, Nick Henderson, Sam Fischli, Jesse Hutton, Leroy Ferguson (captain).
Backs: Bob Martin, Kace O’Neil, Cam Millar, Taine Craig-Ranga, Brayden Laing, Hunter Dickson, Kori Rupene, Taylor Fiddes, Mark Rooney, Caleb Leef, Mitchell Scott, Shannon Young, Josh Casey.
Green Island
Last year: Beaten finalist.
Coach: Erik Va’afusuaga (fourth year), assistant Samuel Eriepa (first year).
The Grizzlies have recruited well — and they needed to.
Dylan Nel is gone (Japan). That’s big. Ray Nu’u is gone (Melbourne). That’s big too, although he is expected to return once his Super Rugby commitments are done.
Speedy winger Michael Manson has signed with the Stags and his departure removes a major threat as well.
Hard-working lock Woody
Kirkwood (Spain), gutsy hooker Jake Fowler (Australia), ace goal kicker Isaak Te Hiwi(injury) and rugged loose forward Sean Jansen (UK) are also missing.
First five Finn Strawbridge and halfback James Arscott will provide direction and some stability.
The midfield pairing of Jake Te Hiwi and Levi Harmon is a threatening one for defences.
And there is a long list of quality recruits. North Otago prop Meli Kolinisau has moved south for a shot at the Otago team. No8 Tino Vakaloa is expect to have a big impact. Tom Marshall, who has come over from the UK for a season of club rugby, is another to watch.
Hooker Harry Hanson has transferred from Kaikorai, and promising first five Finn Hurley has joined the Grizzlies.
Squad —
Forwards: Harry Hanson, Pete Mirrielees, Zion Tofilau-Lui, Shane Fikken, Meli Kolinisau, Sitiveni Tupou, Jared Williams, Nela Tupou, Heath MacEwan, Jesse Va'afusuaga, Oliver Haig, Marco Ventor, Tino Vakaloa, Tom Marshall.
Backs: James Arscott (captain), Devin Stapley, Finn Hurley, Finn Strawbridge, Tom McGregor, Jake Te Hiwi, Levi Harmon, Al Momoisea, Bradley McPate, Will Haley, Zion Niha, Travis Cashmore, Jone Naivalulevu, Nelson Yorston.
University
Last year: Beaten semifinalist.
Coach: Peter McIntyre (fourth year), assistants Craig Lawrence (first year) and Allan Lindsay (first year).
It is a year of change for University.
Peter McIntyre remains head coach but he has a bunch of new assistants, and they will have the job of shaping a youthful side with plenty of fresh faces.
Among the many newcomers is outside back Jeremiah Asi. He is a big lad who is expected to have a positive impact.
Aaron Withy is an outstanding prospect to emerge from Southland Boys’.
He has an excess of ticker, and lock Mitchell Tinnock had a year in the colts last season and steps up to premier grade.
His father, Mark Tinnock, represented Southland and Bay of Plenty and made the New Zealand Divisional XV in 1992 and 1993.
On the other side of the ledger, quality midfielder Giovanni Leituala has moved home to Perth and the departure of prop Kilipati Lea is another big loss.
Fullback Jermaine Pepe will be hoping to build on an impressive season last year. Prop Carlos Policarpio is tough campaigner, and halfback Kieran McClea will captain the side and is a quality player.
Squad —
Forwards: Geordie Bean, Ohau Davey-Phillips, Christian Elaise, Oliver Geddes, Hiro Kasuya, Lawrence Lang-Wai, Leon Lin, Louis Magalogo, Sam Masterton, Israel Otonuku, Carlos Policarpio, Lanson Randell, Will Riley, Ollie Robinson, Luke Russell, Austin Soanai, Will Stodart, Mitchell Tinnock, Konrad Toleafoa, Gareth Ward-Allen, Aaron Withy, Sean Withy, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ricky Jackson, Josh Dickson.
Backs: Josh Timu, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jeremiah Asi, Regan Bent, Bradley Campbell, Jack East, Robert Fridd, Mac Harris, Ivan Hill, Shuki Konishi, Hugo Lynch, Kieran McClea (captain), Aaron McMurray, Jermaine Pepe, Tom Rance, Robert Sporke, Jacob Waikari-Jones, Henry Williams, Jackson Youngman.
Kaikorai
Last year: Beaten semifinalist.
Coaches: Andy Hunter (first year, second stint), Matt Direen (second year).
Experienced coach Andy Hunter is back for another stint in the top job.
His last outing in 2016 was highly successful.
Kaikorai recovered from a slow start to win eight in a row to make the final, which it won.
A large core of last year’s squad has returned, so he will have some good material to work with.
Otago forwards Slade McDowall and Will Tucker are playing rugby in the United States, but are expected back towards the end of the season, right when the most of the chips get pushed into the pot.
Outside back Matt Jones has moved to Queenstown, and lock and last year’s captain Grayson Knapp has signed with Southland.
Kaikorai will lean on the likes of Jonah Aoina, Henry Bell (captain) and Pita Sinamoni to get parity up front, and hopefully get some service out of Highlander Christian Lio-Willie.
Highlanders Mitch Hunt and Liam Coombes-Fabling are also on the books, and the latter should see some club action.
Semisi Taeiloa, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio and Oliver Foote will be keen to make an impact in their first season at premier level.
Squad —
Forwards: Champ Betham, Jackson Dempster, Jonah Aoina, Phillip Taua, Mitchell Mahoni-Rae, Henry Bell (captain), Mitch Pryde, Michael Strydom, Sam Moir, Harrison Morton, Oscar Graham, Pita Sinamoni, Malu Poutu, Sam Jones, Nasili Ikahihifo, Jake Russ, Tamati Ruawai, Semisi Taeiloa, Christian Lio-Willie, Slade McDowall, Will Tucker.
Backs: Kane Johnston, Charlie Marsh, Mitch Taylor, Nic Proffit, George Thomas, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio, Warren Loulanting, Ben Miller, Tyler Diack, Nico Bowering, Jordan McEntee, Renzo Loulanting, Layne Opetaia, Oliver Foote, Mitch Hunt, Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Harbour
Last year: Fifth.
Coaches: Kilifi Fangupo (first year), Hale T-Pole (first year).
No Charles Elton. No Logan Allen. No James Tomkinson. No Ewan Brumwell.
Is it still Harbour?
Toka Sopoaga, Bruce Kauika-Petersen and Willie Tufui have also moved on, as has coach Ryan Nicholas.
That is a lot of experience and talent that has suddenly come unmoored.
But it is not all bad news from Watson Park.
Experienced centre Aleki Morris-Lome is back for another stint with the club. Talented fullback Obeys Samate has transferred from Southern and outside back Sala Halaleva has more than 100 games for Harbour and returns for another campaign.
North Otago loosie Toni Taufa will bolster a young pack which includes the likes of Taylor Dale, Joey Williams and Solomon Pole.
Connor Garden-Bachop’s brother, Toby Kennett, has signed on alongside fellow Wellingtonian Khya Wilson. Both look pretty nippy.
Halfback Nathan Hastie and first five Josh Robertson-Weepu form an exciting combination.
New coach Kilifi Fangupo, the former North Otago halfback, has the job of stitching it all together. Could be a work in progress.
Squad —
Forwards: Abraham Pole, Austin Atiga, Levi Uluakiahoia, Olly Parkinson, Saula Ma’u, Angus Hewitt, Jack Kiely, Phoenix Kairimu, Tevita Pole, Wairoa Morris,Taylor Dale, Joji Ravula, Siaki Kata, Toni Taufa, Hilary Takau, Solomon Pole, Viliame Tuisuva, Joey Williams, Hagan Free, Mitch Regan.
Backs: Nathan Hastie, Obeys Samate, Aleki Morris-Lome (captain), Viliami Fine, Finau Fosita, Josh Robertson-Weepu, Sala Halaleva, Sam Busch, Max Brown, Toby Kennett, Ant Iloilo, Khya Wilson, Sefo Muasika, Opeti Tuimana, Pilui Tavake, Vereniki Tikoisolomone.
Southern
Last year: Sixth.
Coaches: John Leslie (first year), Kees Meeuws (first year).
Southern has an all-star coaching cast of John Leslie (head coach) and Kees Meeuws (assistant) with Jamie Joseph on board as a technical adviser.
They have all played international rugby, so they have a clue or two.
There is plenty of talent to work with up front, but the Magpies lack depth in the backline.
Veteran No 8 Mika Mafi is back for another campaign, while one-man scrum Mike Mata’afa is there when the Magpies need to power up their scrum.
Lock Aron Einarsson and openside Brad Horne are key contributors, but also look out for hookers Jake McEwan (Central Otago) and Jack Taylor (Southland) who are expected to shine.
Loose forward Keanu Vanisi is another promising player with a bright future. He tackles hard.
Prop Steve Salelea was in the New Zealand Barbarian under-18 team alongside Taylor, so he is another to watch. He will switch to tighthead under the guidance of Meeuws.
Jack Leslie, the coach’s son, is in the pivotal role at first five and will direct a backline including experienced midfielder Paul Tupai and the mercurial Mackenzie Haugh.
Squad —
Forwards: Tafa Tafa, Steve Salelea, Sonny Mulipola, Jay Tofaeno, Xzava Rush, Mike Mata’afa, Jake McEwan, Jack Taylor, Zac Pene, Aron Einarsson, Corban Agar, Izaak Parata, Rewi Pomare, Harry Taylor (captain), Brad Horne, Mika Mafi, Jordan Dwight, Ned Pene, Keanu Vanisi.
Backs: Wilson Driver, Matt Horne, Jack Leslie, James Te Pairi, Henri Mitchell-Collie, Paul Tupai, Dylan Hook, Jordan Hand, Mackenzie Haugh, Ben Pringle, Trueman Cuff, Jamie Crawford.
Dunedin
Last year: Seventh.
Coach: Tumua Ioane (first year), assistants Steve Mowat (fourth year) and Will Henry (second year).
Player-turned-referee-turned-administrator-turned-coach Tumua Ioane has been charged with moving Dunedin back up the order.
Ioane clocked up 120-odd games for the Sharks during his playing career before switching to the whistle. He has a pretty settled side to work with.
Long-serving lock Mark Grieve-Dunn has finally hung up the boots, so he will be a big loss.
First five George Witana (Auckland) and outside back Sione Vea (Christchurch) have moved on as well.
But Dunedin has picked up promising first five Ajay Faleafaga, who has signed with the Highlanders on a development contract. He has been compared with a young Josh Ioane and hopes are high he will have a big impact.
Centre Gene Te Amo is another key cog in the backline, while Joe Cooke has moved down from Auckland. He was the leading scorer in Auckland premier club rugby last season and played for Thames Valley in Heartland rugby.
Midfielder Tomas Hanham-Carter has transferred from Kaikorai, and hooker Harry Press has joined from University.
Press is part of a promising young front row and a very decent pack, while the backline looks more threatening this season.
Squad (provisional) —
Forwards: Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Cam Burrow, Kees Scott, Naryan Strickland, Rohan Wingham, Sepa Vaka, Ayden Lloyd, Harry Press, Fabian Holland, Konrad Lotu-I’iga, Charlie Perkins, Oliver Griffin, Jamie Mowat, Josh Retter, Hame Toma, Ed Whyte.
Backs: Tim Hogan, Devon Olliver-Bell, Thorn Parkes, Ajay Faleafaga, Joe Devlin, Tomas Hanham-Carter, Ben Shepherd, Gene Te Amo, Joe Cooke, Tommy Clout, Oscar Schmidt-Uili, Max Webb.
Alhambra-Union
Last year: Eighth.
Coach: Regan Turoa (first year), assistants Allan Wheeler and Rodney Stringer.
Former Otago Boys’ First XV coach Regan Turoa has taken over the head coach role at Alhambra-Union.
He has brought back some former coaches in Allan Wheeler and Rodney Stringer and brought Scott Opetaia with him from Otago Boys’.
It is a reasonably settled squad, but some key players are missing from the front row. Hooker Alex Fraito has gone to Southland and prop Tristan Fuli is in Sydney.
No 8 Josh Hayward, wingers Peceli Malanicagi and Isaac Milne and second five Cody Edwards have all moved on as well.
AU should get some use out of Highlanders hooker Rhys Marshall, and Highlanders outside back Vilimoni Koroi will be pressed into action.
The club has picked up an exciting winger in Lotu Solomona, and loose forward Fitu Faailo is highly regarded.
Vrsatile prop Witana Petley and lock Levi Turoa shape as key players up front, while winger John Tapueluelu and playmakers Ben McCarthy and Levi Emery will be influential too.
Star Highlanders and Otago winger Joan Nareki is expected to return from a knee injury in June. He is a match-winner at any level.
Squad —
Forwards: Witana Petley, Theodore Davis, Josh Taylor, Richard Latu, Jimmy Etuaiti, Troy Taroro-Ruhe, Duigald Graham, Levi Turoa, Ma'ole Faletolu, Keenan Rush, Delaney McKenzie, Ty Pelasio, Tom Frood, Arnold Dinh, Pato Reyes, Fitu Faailo, Sam Collins, Liam Coltman, Rhys Marshall, Jermaine Ainsley, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.
Backs: Noah Hotham, Ramesh Khatri, Logan Roberts, Ben McCarthy, John Tapueluelu, Will Siale, Henry Wragg, Lotu Solomona, Emmanual Ventura, Josiah Lesa, Tui Samuelu-Qalivutu, Amos Faaola, Levi Emery, Jona Nareki, Vilimoni Koroi, Mosese Dawai.
Zingari-Richmond
Last year: Last.
Coach: Craig Sneddon (third year), assistant Nick Anderson (first year).
The Colours have added some talent while keeping the losses column pretty much empty.
They will be hoping to keep it that way.
Zingari-Richmond managed a couple of wins last year, but has struggled to stay off the bottom of the competition standings for many a season.
It has nabbed a couple of useful backs from Southern. Tama Apineru joins the Colours and will compete for a spot in the midfield with the dangerous Willie Time and Keenan Masina.
First five Anzac Tipene played for the Southern colts last season and has also taken flight to Monticello.
Southern No 8 Tofatuimoana Solia has also made the switch and will add some punch to the pack. He is a big ball carrier.
Fellow loose forward Ashton Teau, from Wellington College, shapes as another good pick-up. He is quick, athletic and strong at the breakdown.
Simon Pupuali'i is a bruising forward but will miss a good chunk of the season through injury.0
The evergreen Chris Bell returns for his millionth season. He is closing in on 300 senior games for the club.
Squad —
Forwards: Alex Nettleton, Ashton Teau, Bailey Matoe, Chris Bell, Chris Williams-Talauta, Ciaran Jansen, Ej Lam Cheung, Gianni Caton, Haki Hamilton, Honour Tioa, Joe Weatherall, Keegan Anderson, Liam Sharples, Matt Ifi, Michael Pupuali'i, Peter Taylor, Ricki Allan, Simon Pupuali'i, Thomas Komisi, Tofatuimoana Solia, Tulagaese Sala.
Backs: Anzac Tipene, Chris McNoe, Ethan Masani, Jack Scott, Jinho Mun, Keenan Masina, Michael Cordtz, Michael Tuari, Oscar Anderson, Meli Malani, Ratu Karamaena, Scott Hunter, Setu Tiotala, Shaun Driver, Siua Fonua, Faafetai Mulipola, Tama Apineru, Tyrone Rogers, Vijay-Kingi Aryal, Willie Time.
— Squads supplied by clubs.
