As orth Otago eyes Meads Cup glory, its first aim will be to make the competition playoffs in the Heartland Championship after winning the Lochore Cup last year.
The side, under new coach Barry Matthews, looks better balanced, although several new players will be on show.
English hooker Stu Philpott, loose forward Ryan Long, N 8 Tevita Fifita, who is back from Japan, and centurion Ross Hay, when he returns from a break, will be the crux of the forward pack.
The backline will be well served by two New Zealand Divisional XV representatives in Hamish McKenzie and Kilifi Fangupo, while promising first five-eighth and goalkicker Ben Patston will direct the backs.
Captain Luke Herden, Faaitu Tuamoheloa and Roma Sefo are strong options in midfield, while former Otago winger Greg Zampach will be on the right wing.
South Canterbury, guided by former Ponsonby coach Simon Scott, warmed up with a 28-3 loss to Mid Canterbury.
Tyrone Ngaluafe is a new centre from Ponsonby, first five James Merrett and prop John Direen have joined from the High School Old Boys club in Christchurch, Sekopi Maea is a fine prospect at halfback, and flanker Eric Smith and winger Male Iongi are back for another season.
Mid Canterbury has lost several key players through retirement but loosehead prop Jason Rickard will captain the side, with James Carr and lock Dan Dwyer adding experience.
Pete McAndrew is back in the pack for another season and Tim Perry, son of former All Black Grant Perry, will be at tighthead.
The backline is basically the Methven backline, with six of the seven players from the country club.
Wanganui has had two games, losing its Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland but beating Manawatu B 40-38.
The good news has been the return of first five Mark Davis from Taranaki to replace Leon Mason, who has retired.
Winger Johnny Mow has returned from Manawatu, while midfielder Tau Moeke, who played for East Coast in 2006 and Poverty Bay in 2005, has come down from Waikato.
Thames Valley, which tailed the field last year, will be strengthened by the return of experienced halfback Aaron McDonald, who last played in 2006, while utility Dave Harrison and prop Allan McLean will provide invaluable experience.
Key players for Wairarapa-Bush will be halfback James Bruce, prop Dylan Higginson and lock Dan Griffin.
Former North Otago player Jeremy Te Huia is at first five and winger Junior Tongia will add impact.
Poverty Bay, third in the Meads Cup last season, has lost playmaker Scott Leighton to the police, and will also be without Wade Owen and Jack Brooking.
Buller will again be coached by the two Craigs, Scanlon and Neil, and will have a similar line-up led by Luke Brownlee, who is close to 100 games for the union.
Horowhenua-Kapiti made the Meads Cup round last year and will be hoping to build on this effort under coaches Charles Rudd and Jared Tanera.
West Coast has been hit hard after making the Lochore Cup final last season.
A handful of backs and four of last year's forward pack have left.
An interesting newcomer to the side is former New Zealand Schools first five James Lash, a state of origin player.
East Coast, under Buck Gray, will be looking to put up a better defensive screen after leaking more than 50 tries last year.
King Country is looking stronger after finishing third in the Lochore Cup last year.
It will be bolstered by Auckland club players, including veteran first five Tanner Vili.
David Peachey, the former rugby league star who has turned up the province, will likely play for the development squad.
Nor Otago v East Coast
The teams
North Otago: Billy Guyton, Greg Zampach, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Luke Herden (captain), Sione Pangata, Ben Patston, Kilifi Fangupo, Tevita Fifita, Ryan Long, Josh Collier, Dave Simpson, Aisake Fonua, Palenapa Mafi, Stu Philpott, Ralph Darling.
Reserves: Gerard Sweeney, Will Henry, Eric Duff, Uilisoni Tahitua, Hamish McKenzie, Kasanova Saone, Ekeroma Sefo.
East Coast: Verdon Bartlett, Doone Harrison, Kris Alexander, Riki Crawford, Matt Marino, Nathan Langsford, Charlie Harrison, Darryl Baker, Pakanui Webb, Re Rae Parata, Richard Schofield, Kerehama Blackman, Tom Kahukiwa, Puri Hauiti, Damos Anaru.
Reserves: Patrick McLean, Moni Emani, Tip Nukunuku or Richard Reeves, Lance Maaka, Whakarae Henare, Daniel Thompson, Kahu Ward.
- Terry O'Neill
