Green Island snapped a 46-year title drought with a tense 21-15 win over Dunedin in the final last year.
Now the challenge is to stay at the top.
The championship forward pack is largely intact.
Talented prop Ben Lopas joins hooker and captain Heath MacEwan in a solid front row.
Loose forward Amos Roddick made a big impact last season and fellow flanker Jesse Va'afusuaga has a power-packed game.
But they are missing dangerous ball-carrier Delaney McKenzie. He was a hard man to tackle and will leave a gap in the side.
But it is out wide the Grizzlies have suffered the most telling losses
Fullback Finn Hurley has graduated to the Highlanders and is unlikely to be sighted in club rugby very much any more.
Experienced first five Finn Strawbridge has retired and rugged midfielder Levi Harmon has moved on.
There is still plenty of talent. Look out for duo Sam Nemic-Vial and Riley Lucas. This is their season to shine.
They have a trio of new talent as well.
Utility backs Sam Mustchin and Zac Nicol are new to the side. They can play anywhere from first five to centre.
Mustchin is a big lad and plays with a lot of physicality.
And lock Kane Dykes joins Ronan Dynes in the green and gold hoops.
Dunedin blew the final last year and it still hurts out at Kettle Park.
They shelled two golden opportunities in the final quarter of the game.
It was not meant to be.
But most of the crew have returned for another shot.
The engine room looks scarily good again. The starting front row from the final — Sepa Vaka, Liam Arthur-Hunt, Rohan Wingham — have returned.
They have two quality locks in Reuben Palmer and Josh Tengblad, while Fabian Holland’s younger brother, Quinten Holland, will be looking to make an impact as well.
Lock James Bolton has moved on, as has promising loose forward Konrad Lotu-I'iga. Midfielder Jayden Tegg is another notable absentee.
On the upside, speedy outside back Oscar Schmidt Uli has returned to the fold and is good for plenty of tries out wide.
Taranaki halfback Adam Lennox is with the Highlanders wider squad and has joined the cause, while front rower Fatai Koloi has returned from England and is another player to watch.
That all-powerful tight five is augmented by some real talent in the backs.
Joe Cooke and Gene Te Amo form an experienced midfield combination, and Kyan Rangitutia and Josh Augustine are threatening ball-runners a little further out.
Dunedin arguably shape as the favourites.
Southern have a new coaching team this season.
Former Samoa and Otago prop Hisa Sasagi and veteran Green Island seamer Dion Lobb take over from John Leslie.
Lobb played one first-class game for the Volts in 2007 and had a run for a New Zealand Invitational side the following season.
While he is better known for cricket, he is also a keen rugby man. His brother, Matt Lobb, is an assistant coach for Green Island.
Sasagi played 67 games for Otago from 2012 to 2020 . He also played one game for the Blues and four for Samoa.
Massive prop Israel Otunuku has moved over from Zinagari-Richmond. He is a strong ball-runner.
Veteran loose forward Mika Mafi had a season with the Colours last year and will join Konrad Toleafoa and captain Harry Taylor in the loose forwards.
Veteran prop Mike Mata’afa will add some impact off the bench.
Explosive fullback Mackenzie Palmer and centre Paul Tupa’i are a key duo in the backline, while Josh Buchan has returned from a year off after breaking a leg and is a threatening runner.
Southern also have Highlanders pair Caleb Tangitau and Timoci Tavatavanawai on their books.
They are unlikely to be spotted on the paddock at Bathgate Park. But imagine if they are — it would be carnage.
First five Jack Leslie is on the injured list and may not feature this season. But watch out for Japanese halfback Kairi Hayama. He is new to the side this season.
University's late charged was snuffed out by Dunedin in the semifinals.
But the students finished like they would like to start this season.
They beat Green Island twice in a row, including in the first round of the playoffs.
Green Island made the most of their second life to go on and win the banner.
But the point is University emerged as a major threat.
Are they still a threat?
"We’ll see on the weekend, I guess", coach Russell Lundy said.
They do have some significant losses. Lock Ale Aho is with the Waratahs and his absence will be sorely felt in the pack, particularly in the lineout.
Playmaker Jacob Waikari-Jones, who has moved to Perth, will leave a huge hole as well.
He could slot in at first five or fullback and was a reliable goal-kicker.
Midfielder Hugo Lynch has moved on too. He was influential in implementing the game plan.
Southland Boys star Mika Muliaina will slot in at first five. His brother, Rico Muliaina, can play there as well.
Mika has an exciting attacking game but he also exercises tight control over the game and is happy to plug the corners.
Brigham Riwai-Couch is new to the club. He is an experienced midfielder, who has played division 1 club rugby in Christchurch and Wellington.
Jeremiah Asi is returning from a shoulder injury and he is cheat code at club level.
Brad Campbell a very good halfback and another important game driver.
There have been a few changes up on the hill at Bishopscourt.
Intercept king Jordan McEntee has moved to Australia.
He had clocked more than 100 games for the Kaikorai premiers and is a huge loss.
Front rowers Jackson Dempster (Australia) and Michael Strydom (Waikato) have moved on as well.
First five Nic Proffit, who is in his final year of a dentistry degree, has returned to Auckland to complete his studies.
But Kaikorai still have plenty of firepower.
They have a talented crop of loose forwards in Hayden Michaels, Lucas Casey, Slade McDowall and Gregor Rutledge.
Veteran playmaker Ben Miller is back for another season.
Green Island’s Caleb Williams has made the move to the Demons. He will split his time between first five and second five and help fill the vacancy Proffit left in his departure.
Moana Takataka will carry a heavier load in the front row and will be supported by Henry Cleaver, who is another promising young prop.
Lock Lachie Stevens has come over from the Dunedin Makos in search of opportunities in premier rugby.
Zingari-Richmond made a bullocking start last season and found themselves at the top of the standings for a spell.
Chris Bell brought up his 300th game and a massive crowd showed up to support him that day.
It was a wonderful day for the club but the season petered out.
The way the draw had shaped proved a false dawn.
But the Colours made progress and they are planning on building on that.
Consistency is the buzz word at the club this season. They changed the narative around the side being the also-rans and "want to compete with the big dogs" as coach William Hola put it.
They have drafted in some help.
Hooker Tino Salanoa has come south from Auckland looking for an opportunity and he is a real competitor with great physicality.
Centre Ben Fakava and utility back Jerome Buckley-Fa’aitoa have been promoted from the colts grade.
Bell has finally retired but he is still heavily involved with the club and is the head coach of the under-20 colts.
Midfielder-cum-winger Willie Time has graduated from university and has returned home to Auckland. He was a tackle buster.
Fullback Siua Fonua has moved to Wellington and is another loss.
Former University coach and former Southern assistant coach Peter McIntyre has popped up at Harbour and they have been busy recruiting.
He coached University for a period and has also been part of the Southern coaching staff.
McIntyre could not be reached for comment but he is one of many new faces at the club.
The Hawks have made some big moves to bolster their stocks.
Lock Boston Hunt was named the best player in Wellington club rugby in 2023 but missed out on a spot in the Wellington NPC side due to injury in 2024 and has moved south for more opportunities.
Versatile prop Darius Fidow has moved down from Christchurch.
He played two games for South Canterbury last season and can play on either side of the scrum.
First five Rique Miln, who has played for Marist St Pats in Wellington and Randwick in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, will guide the team around the paddock.
Gabriel Francesconi is another who has made the trip south.
He plays hooker or blindside and has come through the Canterbury development system.
There are lots of fresh faces but some familiar ones as well.
Willie Tufui will team up with Aleki Morris-Lome in the midfield, while Taylor Dale was one of their best forwards last year and is back again.
Flanker Toni Taufa is never far from the ball.
Taieri may as well have been labouring up Saddle Hill in roller skates last season.
They had a bunch of early injuries which left them struggling to put a front row on the park.
The undersized pack boxed on. But the Eels lost eight in row after starting the season with a narrow win against University.
Coach Murray Roulston stepped down.
Phil Young stepped in to replace him and has been tasked with getting the Eels back on track again this season.
It will be tough going. The goals are modest. They probably have to be.
They have not had a lot of success in the recruitment phase. They have drafted in three players from North Otago — Alele Vaihu, Josefa Vurewa and Roney Vanila.
Vaihu is a powerful No 8 from the Kurow club.
Vurewa is a promising winger and Vanila is a front rower.
Young said he had not seen a lot of the trio yet but was looking forward to seeing what they could offer.
Halfback Bob Martin has moved to Brisbane and his experience will be a loss.
Fortunately, Taieri have some depth in the position. Trey Russell and Jak Morton will compete for starts in the role and bring plenty of energy.
The Whaanga brothers Matt and Josh will combine in the midfield.
Fullback Caleb Leef is a quality performer and hooker Brady Robertson is almost always the hardest-working player on the field.
Alhambra-Union have had some tough seasons recently.
This one could be another struggle.
The Broncos have not made a lot of gains during the offseason.
They have pretty much the same crew back and they only registered one win last year.
But they are a little bit bigger, a little bit fitter and a little bit more hopeful.
The rest of the club is in good heart but the division 1 side has been stuck in a rebuilding phase.
They have secured some help, though.
Lock Levi Turoa has returned from Auckland and he will make a huge difference in the second row.
Zac Perrett captained the colts team last year and he has made the step up to division 1.
He is a hard-working openside flanker, who is strong over the ball and will bring some enthusiasm.
He is tall and has pace. The young man has not played a lot of rugby but he is athletic and keen.
The Thode brothers will be influential for AU.
Oliver is a tidy halfback and Will is a nice playmaker. He will split his time between first five and fullback.
Blindside McKenzie Hunter was the leading tackler last year and is an industrious player.
• All names supplied by the clubs.
Green Island
Last year: Champions
Coach: Hayden Finch (third year), assistant Matt Lobb (third)
Squad. —
Forwards: Ben Lopas, Zion Tofilau Lui, Alafala Tailega, Heath MacEwan (captain), Harrison Stout, Josh Beer-Williams, Tim Heller, Christian MacEwan, Richie Buchanan, Jesse Va'afusuaga, Amos Roddick, Kane Dynes, Atu Katoa, Ronan Dynes, Sunia Makasini.
Backs: Dan Smart, Tom Nicolson, Keisuke Yasuda, Liam Barron, Zac Nicol, Brad McPate, Sam Mustchin, Zion Niha, Riley Lucas, Nico Bowering, Emmanuel Levi, Sam Nemic-Vial, Nelson Yorston.
Dunedin
Last year: Runner-up
Coach: Gifford Henry (second year), assistant Steve Mowat (back again)
Squad. —
Forwards: Hunter Fahey, Sepa Vaka, Rhys Hughes, Tasman Soanai, Fatai Koloi, Liam Arthur Hunt, Hoani Nikori Wilson, Reuben Palmer, Josh Tengblad, Jamie Mowat, Curtis Palmer, Ben Joseph, Quinten Holland, Louis Lepionka , Max Radclife, Jarius Iosefa, Hame Toma, Rohan Wingham, Fabian Holland, Soane Mikele Vikena.
Backs: Thorn Parkes, Adam Lennox, Henry Scott, Tim Hogan, Cam Burgess, Joe Cooke, Gene Te Amo, Tayne Harvey, Joe Parkinson, Ethan Schmidt Uli, Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Max Webb, Ben Paku, Oscar Schmidt Uli, Folau Fakatava.
Southern
Last year: Beaten semifinalists
Co-coaches: Dion Lobb and Hisa Sasagi (first year)
Squad. —
Forwards: Archie Treadwell, Aron Einarsson, Bede Dodd-Edgar, Caleb Hughes, Corban Agar, Dylan Petaia, Harry Taylor (captain), Israel Otunuku, Jay Tofaeono, Josh Randall, Jovis Meredith, Kong To’omalatai, Konrad Toleafoa, Mika Mafi, Mike Mata'afa, Tafa Tafa, Alex Nettleton, Jack Taylor.
Backs: Charlie Ashford, Harrison Martin, Joseph Pau, Josh Buchan, Josh Timu, Justin Malifa, Kairi Hayama, Levi Emery, Logan Wilson, Lotu Solomona, Mackenzie Palmer, Oscar Tilialo, Paul Tupa'i, Regan Bent, Wilson Driver, Wyndham Patuawa, Henri Mitchell-Collie, Will Siale, Caleb Tangitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
University
Last year: Beaten semifinalists
Coach: Russell Lundy (third year), assistant Hayden Chapman (first)
Squad. —
Forwards: Aaron Withy, Charles Englebrecht, Couper Killick, Daniel Leinart Brown, Hiro Kasuya, Jayden Broome, Lanson Randell, Matt Brock, Mitch Dunshea, Mitch Tinnock, Oli Gardiner, Oli Hatch, Ricky Jackson, Scott Wake, Shaun Withy, Steve Salelea , Tani Henwood, Tom Devery, Will Riley, Will Stodart, Zain Newman.
Backs: Aaron McMurray, Brigham Riwai -Couch, Brodie Walker, Finlay Hagan, Jack Saunders, Jeremiah Asi, Josh Dent, Mac Harris, Mika Muliaina, Rico Muliaina , Taine Robinson, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Warren Loulanting, Brad Campell.
Kaikorai
Last year: Eliminated in playoffs
Coach: Andy Hunter (fourth year), assistant Matt Direen (fourth)
Squad. —
Forwards: Ben Helreigel, Rico Fisher, Henry Bell, Moana Takataka, Henry Cleaver, Ben Ellis, Sefo Kautai, Lachie Stevens, Fletcher Course Scott, Tori Randell, Mika Veau, Sidney Fidow, Rawiri Martin, Phoenix Tatapu, Orlando Tuhega Vaitupu, Hayden Michaels, Lucas Casey (captain), Slade McDowall, Gregor Rutledge.
Backs: Dylan Pledger, Taine Hand, Jacob Field, Ben Miller, Caleb Williams, Puna Hihi, Jake Fowler, Amaziah Mitchell, Rota Lafita, Layne Opetaia, Jack Hazlett, Charlie Breen.
Zingari Richmond
Last year: Eliminated in playoffs
Coach: William Hola (second year), assistant Johnny Smith (second)
Squad. — Forwards: Philip Taua-Ah Soon, Tino Salanoa, Aone Lolofie, Hame Lauaki, Ciaran Jansen, Ratu Latus, Lawrence Leung-Wai, Flavius Roberts-Vili, Tofatu Solia, Fergus Hepburn, EJ Lam Cheung, Simon Pupuali’i, Connor Foley-Smith
Backs: Fionn McKenna, Tyree Manaia, Josiah Sakaria, Ajay Faleafaga, Tama Apineru, Ben Fakava, Bill Temaka, Ryan Kreft, Shaun Driver, Jerome Buckley-Faaitoa, Alexander Tuisamoa, Poyer Reihana-Finau, Keenan Masina, Locky Collins.
Harbour
Last year: Seventh
Coach: Peter McIntyre (first), Craig Lawrence (first)
Squad. —
Forwards: Josh Bartlett, Darius Towers, Darius Fidow, Keli Vite, Tevita Pole, Hillary Takau, Harrison Mortimer, Gabriel Francesconi, Angus Hewitt, McIntyre Boston Hunt, Carlos Miln, Sifa Pole, Ryan Palmer, Taylor Dale, Jeff Ikani, Nasili Ikahihfo, Lucas Goaverts, Abe Meachem, Toni Tuafa, Sam Vatuvei, Jerome Misiloi, Mitch Regan.
Backs: Tetauru Cruthers, Corey Berkett, Kahn Phillips, Rique Miln, Waisake Naholo, Taniela Filimone, Soa Polutele, Willie Tufui, Aleki Morris Lome, Luca Fuller, Wiremu Brailey, Joeli Lavemai, Mone Samate Palu, Ben Pringle, Drew Aniterea, Sefo Muasika.
Taieri
Last year: Eighth
Coach: Phil Young (second), David Hunter (first)
Squad. —
Forwards: Cam Allan-McNeil, Jared Burns, Roney Vanila, Jack Sexton, Ethan Webber, Morgan Jones, Archie Gillies, Brady Robertson, Ben Strowger Turnock, Eric Peita, Harvey Amende, Caine Taylor, Alele Vaihu, Sam Fischli, Tom Bolton, Ben Kay, Riley Allen, Michael Loft, TK Howden.
Backs: Trey Russell, Jak Morton, Reef Newdick, Alex Honey, Sam Waitoa, Cam Millar, Caleb Leef, Oscar Anderson, Matt Whaanga, Josh Whaanga, Marc Rooney, Josefa Vurewa, Joe Cockburn, Harrison Millar, Taylor Fiddes, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Alhambra-Union
Last year: Ninth
Coach: Ken Tipene (first), assistant Jody Takimoana (second)
Squad. — Forwards: Benji Latu, Toby Sadgrove, Petelo Amato, Manase Kaufusi, Joshua Taylor, Sam Smith, Andrew Matoto, Levi Turoa, David Makasini, Sam Gander, Albert Fremlin, Teddy Davis, McKenzie Hunter, Zac Perrett, Josh Fitzpatrick, Sam McLean, Connor Aldrich, Veveni Lasaqa, Nikora Broughton.
Backs: Oliver Thode, Ramesh Khatri, Anzac Tipene, Axle Haryoule, Te Ropere Tipene, Charlie Alston, Manu Pek, Pateresio Finau, Kobe Tuhakaraina, Mavae Manuika, Kalevini Hotesi, Robert Foster, Will Thode, Jona Nareki.
