The national provincial championship gets under way tonight with North Harbour taking on Counties-Manukau. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn takes a look at the chances of the 14 teams.
Premiership
Auckland
Coach: Nick White
Last year: Finalist
Key players: Simon Hickey, Blake Gibson
Prospects: Always strong and with plenty of depth; expect the blue and whites to be in the reckoning come finals time.
Prediction: Finalist
Canterbury
Coach: Scott Robertson
Last year: Champion
Key players: Luke Whitelock, Richie Mo'unga
Prospects: Seven titles in eight years so will be right up as part of the challenge. Plenty of depth as per usual. Only question mark is whether coach Scott Robertson will fully concentrate on the task.
Prediction: Champion
Counties-Manukau
Coach: Darryl Suasua
Last year: Fifth
Key players: Piers Francis, Jordan Taufua
Prospects: Plenty of new players and depth could be tested. Some promising talent but that does not always translate into success.
Prediction: Relegated
Hawkes Bay
Coach: Craig Philpott
Last year: Won Championship
Key players: Ihaia West, Gareth Evans
Prospects: Some experienced Super rugby players and plenty of depth. Question marks over whether players of promise are able to make the next step. Will miss departed skipper Brendon O'Connor.
Prediction: Fifth
Taranaki
Coach: Colin Cooper
Last year: Semifinals
Key players: Mitch Crosswell, Marty McKenzie
Prospects: Will once again be in the mix but perhaps not quite of the same quality as the past couple of years. Needs a couple of its younger players to step up.
Prediction: Sixth
Tasman
Coach: Leon Macdonald
Last year: Semifinals
Key players: Marty Banks, Peter Samu
Prospects: Plenty of experience although age may be catching up with some of them. Marty Banks will be looking for a big season before he heads offshore.
Prediction: Semifinals
Waikato
Coach: Sean Botherway
Last year: Sixth
Key players: Hame Faiva, James Tucker
Prospects: The Mooloos underwhelmed last year but have plenty of young talent coming through. Damian McKenzie will have a big impact for the side as will returning veteran Isaac Boss.
Prediction: Semifinals
Championship
Bay of Plenty
Coach: Clayton McMillan
Last year: Semifinals
Key players: Dan Hollinshead, Culum Retallick
Prospects: Signed some interesting names but not a lot of experience through the side. Exciting players but that does not always materialise into wins in the big games
Prediction: Fifth
Manawatu
Coach: Jeremy Cotter
Last year: Relegated from Premiership
Key players: Callum Gibbins, Otere Black
Prospects: Well-respected coach has gone overseas but it still has a solid core of Super rugby players who will keep the side competitive. Former Otago halfback Toby Morland is still chugging away at 33.
Prediction: Semifinals
North Harbour
Coach: Steve Jackson
Last year: Fifth
Key players: James Parsons, Bryn Hall
Prospects: Not a bad draw which could help but it has some mental weaknesses. Much will depend on the inside backs.
Prediction: Semifinals
Northland
Coach: Richie Harris
Last year: Seventh
Key players: Dan Pryor, Jone Macilai
Prospects: Never won a game last year so the only way is up. Peter Breen is into the side from Otago. A core of experience but needs to get winning culture.
Prediction: Sixth
Otago
Coach: Cory Brown
Last year: Semifinals
Key players: Liam Coltman, Tom Franklin
Prospects: Got on a winning run last year and scored plenty of points. Needs to do that again and also shore up defence. Much will depend on an inexperienced inside back duo.
Prediction: Finalist
Southland
Coach: Hoani Macdonald
Last year: Sixth
Key players: Mika Mafi, Jimmy Cowan
Prospects: A year of transition for Southland. Most veterans have left although Cowan is back for another stint after leaving in 2012.
Prediction: Seventh
Wellington
Coach: Earl Va'a
Last year: Finalist
Key players: Brad Shields, Matt Proctor
Prospects: Plenty of resources and will be looking to keep on the roll created by the success of the Hurricanes. Went very close last year and favoured to go to the whole way this season.
Prediction: Champion
