Kurow
Coach: Andrew Fisher
Last year: Champion
The oil: Is there a three-peat on the cards? The Red Devils undeniably go in to this season as favourites, having won back-to-back shields. It would be an extra special celebration to cap off the Waitaki Valley club’s 125th year this season. Former assistant coach Andrew Fisher has taken over the top job and he knows the club has a target on its back. But there is a huge bonus in having former Highlander Hayden Todd available for the whole season, joining another former Highlander Matt Faddes, and captain Josh Reid is always an absolute workhorse. Heartland centre Hayden Todd, who travelled from Cromwell, is a big loss for the season, as is lock Angus Foster.
Old Boys
Coach: Soni Tongotongo
Last year: Beaten finalists
The oil: Never count out the flair and electric running game of Old Boys. They might have lost the Citizens Shield final last year, but their ability to create diamonds from coal can turn a game on its head. The club has taken a bit of a hit this year with its "glue" stepping down. Player-coach Lemi Masoe has moved back home to Samoa and Ralph Darling has hung up the boots, but will help where he can.But there is still plenty of fire power with backline maestros Inoke Fisilau and Tini Feke, and in the forwards, big ball-carrier Junior Fakatoufifita and Kelepi Funaki in the front row.
Valley
Coach: Barry Matthews, John Clunie
Last year: Third
The oil: Valley is always in the finals hunt and expect this year to be no different. The team is slightly down on numbers, but has been bolstered by the return of big prop Meli Kolinisau, who played for Green Island last year. This is huge for the Weston team, especially considering other bookend Logan Dunlop suffered a season-ending knee injury during a pre-season clash. Heartland winger Asesela Ravuvu is tipped for a big year in his second season with the club, and two English imports, a lock and midfielder, looked handy at training. Halfback Jake Matthews always leads the back line with ease.
Athletic Marist
Coach: Palenapi Mafi
Last year: Fourth
The oil: Athletic Marist has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years after a long stretch without a finals appearance. That changed for the side last year when it made the semifinals and the group will be hoping to build on that momentum into this year. It took down some of the "big dogs" and proved it will be one to watch. Athies have huge numbers this season, even fielding a presidents side, and will want to utilise that to its advantage. Halfback Alipate Tuipilotu has left a hole moving on, so Mason Kinzett, usually a first five, is lining up at halfback today. Dynamic prop Lisivani Tui’fua is lethal up front, Epineri Logavatu is a huge lineout target and in the back, Ryley MacColl and Saia Fifita are all class.
Maheno
Coach: Marty McAtamney
Last year: Fifth
The oil: Maheno peaked at the tail end of last season — could that be a sign of things to come this season?
The green machine came oh so close to making the playoffs and will want to get off to a good start this season to ensure it climbs its way back in to the top four. Marty McAtamney takes the lead as head coach this year, having been in the mix previous years, and has good knowledge of the squad.
Maheno will rely on its engine-room of Heartland captain Hayden Tisdall, Marcus Balchin, Robbie Smith and Lachie Kingan to keep the team humming and provide some good depth of experience across the park. Another to keep an eye on this season.
Excelsior
Coach: Dan Keno
Last year: Sixth
The oil: Wounded bulls never stay down for long. The Blue Bulls will be itching to get off the bottom of the table this season and show they have a real shot at improving on last year’s performances. New head coach Dan Keno will be supported by Kayne Middleton and Joe Maea, who has returned from playing and coaching in Spain, and an influx of exciting Pacific Island players has also injected plenty in to the squad. Twelve players will make their debut for the club today, supported by loyal captain Mat Duff and powerful No 8 Samu Babiau. Englishman Josh Phipps, in his third season with the club, will be critical to its backline.
