Southern
Last year: Champions.
Coach: John Leslie (third year), assistants Peter McIntyre (second), Craig Lawrence (second).
Squad. —
Forwards: Corban Agar, Jacob Booth, Tom Brock, Bede Dodd-Edgar, Jordan Dwight, Aron Einarsson, Caleb Hughes, Mike Mata'afa, Jovis Meredith, Sonny Mulipola, Izaak Parata, Ned Pene, Reqi Pomare, Naryan Strickland, Tafa Tafa, Harry Taylor (captain), Jay Tofaeono, Konrad Toleafoa, Archie Treadwell.
Backs: Regan Bent, Jamie Crawford, Truman Cuff, Wilson Driver, Levi Emery, Mackenzie Haugh, Carlos Lancaster-Bartlett, Jack Leslie, Justin Malifa, Henri Mitchell-Collie, Bailey Moody, Wyndham Patuawa, Joseph Pau, Will Siale, Paul Tupai, Logan Wilson, Ben Yandell.
Back-to-back-to-back?
That is the question doing the rounds at Bathgate Park.
The Magpies emerged from the pack to win the last two Dunedin premier club titles.
They have mastered the art of just doing enough to make the playoffs then shifting to top gear. That reason alone should ensure they loom large in the rear vision mirror.
John Leslie is back on as coach following a stint in Northland with the Taniwha.
He has got a good group to work with.
Former Alhambra-Union and North Otago playmaker Levi Emery has joined the Magpies and adds some class.
Caleb Hughes has made the move from Taieri and is keen to make the loosehead jersey his own, while promising lock Archie Treadwell has transferred from Dunedin, where he played at colts level last year.
Powerhouse No 8 Mika Mafi has moved on. The veteran has popped up at Zingari-Richmond.
But Southern have a quality group of loose forwards in Konrad Toleafoa, Harry Taylor, Tom Brock, Jordan Dwight and Ned Pene all jostling for starting spots.
Dangerous back Josh Buchan broke his leg last year and is unavailable this season, and Ben McCarthy has moved south to try his luck in Southland.
The Magpies look very solid but do not expect to see them hit their straps until it is really necessary.
* Team lists provided by the Otago Rugby Football Union.
