The competition, which is in its fifth year and again has Fulton Hogan as its naming sponsor, was won by a powerful Otago Boys' side last year. The Dunedin school went all the way to the national final before losing to St Kentigern College.
The competition has been split into two sections to help reduce travel and costs. Two sides have come into the competition, with 14 teams now playing. Mt Aspiring College, from Wanaka, is the new team in the northern section. Invercargill school James Hargest College, which had been relegated, has got a reprieve and is back in the southern section.
The sections each have seven teams. There will be a round robin in each, before splitting into top eight and bottom six sections.
The final is scheduled to be played on August 24.
Otago Boys' High School
Last year: First.
Coach: Ryan Martin.
Key players: Hooker Sekonaia Pole, prop Jermaine Ainsley, midfield back Sio Tompkinson.
The oil: Otago Boys' has lost 10 players from last year's team that reached the national final. But the school has some promising recruits and will be difficult to beat. The most notable recruit is former Waitaki Boys' High School prop Tui Katoa, who has been switched to No 8.
Waitaki Boys' High School
Last year: Second.
Coaches: Shane Carter and Dallas Newlands.
Key players: Lock/loose forward Don Lolo, lock Josh Proctor, halfback Inoke Naufahu.
The oil: A committed Waitaki team reached last year's final after beating Southland Boys' in Invercargill. Has only lost eight players from last year, and has an experienced pack and an exciting backline.
Southland Boys' High School
Last year: Third.
Coach: Marty Smith.
Key players: Hooker Sam Stewart, No 8 Jordan Stewart, fullback Mike Molloy.
The oil: After a rebuilding season last year, should be back to its regular high standard. A pre-season trip to Australia has helped build combinations. With about a dozen players back from last year, Southland Boys' should again be in the top reaches of the competition.
King's High School
Last year: Fourth.
Coach: Darryl Paterson.
Key players: Hooker Joe Cairns-Thomson, prop Sidney Fidow, second five Robert Peseta.
The oil: King's has lost half its experienced players and will be in a rebuilding phase this year. Beat Kavanagh College but has lost its other four pre-season games. One was a narrow (31-23) loss to Christ's College.
Gore High School
Last year: Fifth.
Coach: Donald McGuigan.
Key players: Loose forward Zed Robertson, prop Steve Bolger, first five Jarvis Wallace.
The oil: Gore has been competitive over the past couple of years and has a solid core back this season. Has good fitness levels and forwards who should secure plenty of ball.
St Kevin's College
Last year: Sixth.
Coach: Justin Fowler.
Key players: Fullback Hamish Slater, loose forward Jacob Coughlan, front-rower Shaun Kelliher.
The oil: Looking to push on after improvement last year resulted in a finish in the middle four. Seeking to make the top four of the northern section, and will at least not have to travel as much under the new competition format.
South Otago High School
Last year: Seventh.
Coach: Naylor Edwards.
Key players: Hooker Josh Turnbull, first five Caleb Edwards, fullback Gavin Stark.
The oil: South Otago has a good mix of youth and experience and could be a team to watch. Has some key players in important positions. Will be on television when it plays Southland Boys' at home next month.
Dunstan High School
Last year: Eighth.
Coaches: Mick Enright and John Ryley.
Key players: Lock/flanker Will Meehan, midfield backs Sam Galletly and Canaan Napier.
The oil: Dunstan has 11 players back in its 24-strong squad and is looking for a top-four spot in the first round. Has beaten Rangiora High School (32-19) and Mt Aspiring College (58-5) in the pre-season.
John McGlashan College
Last year: Ninth.
Coach: Mike Idour.
Key players: Halfback Ed Davies, first five Jacob Sinclair, prop Cam Burrow.
The oil: A four-match tour of Australia has prepared the team well. McGlashan beat St Brendan College (19-12) and St Paul's Strathpine (19-0), drew with Rockhampton Grammar (7-7) and lost to Downlands College (40-17). A promising recruit is year 11 pupil Josh Timu, the son of former All Black John Timu.
Menzies College
Last year: 10th.
Coach: Chris Allison.
Key players: First five Greg Dyer, flanker Josh Bee, lock Billy Dodds.
The oil: Always finds it tough, having fewer than 300 pupils at the school, which starts at year 7. But fights above its weight and will not back down against the bigger schools. Has had a promising pre-season, winning all three games.
Kavanagh College
Last year: 11th.
Coach: Ross O'Connell.
Key players: Prop Joe Pickles, first five Liam Eathorne, flanker Ben Thompson.
The oil: Only six members of last year's team have returned, so it will be a rebuilding season. The squad includes 18 players from last year's under-15 team and it will be a big jump up for them.
James Hargest College
Last year: 12th.
Coach: Hugh Andrews.
Key players: Prop Todd McNeilly, fullback Jason Bishop, First five-eighth Ben Maxwell.
The oil: James Hargest finished bottom last year and expected to be relegated, but it was given a reprieve when it won the promotion-relegation competition against Central Southland College and St Peters.
Mt Aspiring College
Last year: N/A.
Coach: Hamish Crosbie.
Key players: Centre George Gilchrist, lock Max Schiaker, prop Alex Edwards.
The oil: First year in for the Wanaka school as the competition gets into the Queenstown-Lakes area. Has five players from Wakatipu High School and five players from Cromwell College. May find the going tough, but after the Upper Clutha under-18 team, which was Mt Aspiring College in different jerseys, won the Otago under-18 grade for the past four seasons, it was the logical time to test itself in the higher grade.
Verdon CollegeLast year: N/A.
Coach: Mark Scobie.
Key players: Centre Ben Boyle, flanker Elliot Marshall, fullback Jordan Murphy-Davies.
The oil: Was bumped out last year by James Hargest but won promotion again by beating Hargest. The irony is Hargest is now back in with the expanded competition. Verdon can also draw on pupils from Aurora College and Te Wharekura o Arowhenua. Has a good backline and young forward pack.
