The Central Otago premier club rugby competition starts this weekend with Maniototo and Cromwell opening up under lights in Cromwell tonight.
The revamped competition will include semifinals and a final.
Alexandra
Coach: Lindsey Breen
The current White Horse Cup holder and traditional Central Otago rugby powerhouse will be looking to build on last year, when the side took the cup from Cromwell and then defended it stoutly until the end of the season.
But it finished only mid-table in the competition and will want to finish further up the this season.
Gains: Danny van der Voort (second five-eighth, Dunstan High School).
Losses: Clayton McKnight (prop, Christchurch), Simon Hallis (lock, injury), Ben Whitaker (first five-eighth, overseas).
Key players: First five-eighth Brendan Domigan, fullback Cameron Smith.
Arrowtown
Coach: Blair Wilce
Last year's champion will be looking to perform strongly again but, with 15 players not returning, a repeat of last season may be difficult.
But with players such as Hayden Finch, Daniel Iosefo and the Winter brothers, Aidan and Reece, Arrowtown will still be a hard team to beat, especially at home.
Gains: Aruna Eleas (wing, Southland Boys High School), Nathan Pullar (prop, out of retirement).
Losses: Luke Mullin (prop).
Key players: Openside flanker Aidan Winter and his brother Reece at first five-eighth, No 8 Daniel Iosefo.
Clyde-Earnscleugh
Coach: Keith Robertson
Competition easybeat will be a title that former Highlanders assistant and Southland coach Keith Robertson will be looking to eliminate this year as he takes over as head coach.
The side has struggled for numbers in recent years and it is no different this season, with a severe shortage of players, especially in the backs.
Captain and former Waikato colt Mike Wing will be looking to change his team's fortunes, while the return of Jai Baxter from Cromwell is a boost.
Gains: Jai Baxter (halfback, Cromwell), Matt Emmitt (second five-eighth, Cromwell), Henrich Viktor (prop, South Africa).
Losses: None.
Key players: Halfback Jai Baxter, and captain Mike Wing.
Cromwell
Coach: Murray King
The 2007 White Horse Cup-winning side failed to produce its best form last season, losing the cup to Alexandra and then unsuccessfully challenging for it.
Spirits are high within the squad for 2009.
New player-coach Murray King, back from injury, will be assisted by club captain John Fitzgerald.
Gains: George Tiko (wing, Fiji), Murray King (first five-eighth, injury) Taika Brooks (second five-eighth, Wakatipu) Andrew Smith (first five-eighth, out of retirement).
Losses: Ant Dickey (openside flanker, injury), John Fitzgerald (lock, retirement), Sam Gibbens (centre, Upper Clutha).
Key players: Winger Charlie Tiko, fullback Andrew Clarke, No 8 Justin Carney.
Maniototo
Coach: Ryan Dowling
The hard men of Central Otago rugby have a largely unchanged squad and will want to start the season well, as the side is traditionally a slow starter.
It always has a strong forward pack and coupled with a good kicking game and strong discipline, Maniototo will be competitive.
Gains: Willie Clouston (Matakanui).
Losses: Hamish Wilson (first five-eighth).
Key players: Flanker Duncan Smith, centre James Peddie.
Matakanui Combined
Coach: Sean O'Docherty
Like the neighbour from over the hill, Matakanui will be tough to crack, with a strong forward pack the basis of its game plan.
Last season the side largely failed to produce the rugby it was capable of, but improved towards the end of the season with a string of wins.
Player numbers, unlike other years, have been excellent.
Gains: Dean Rabbidge (lock-flanker), Tristan Flannery (prop), Stuart Melville (utility), Barry White (prop), Tim Hore (halfback).
Losses: Willie Lake (fullback, overseas).
Key players: First five-eighth Mitchell Lake, loose forward Simon Grant.
Upper Clutha
Coach: Sam Gibbens
The men from Wanaka showed some positive signs last season but often lost by the smallest of margins.
New coach Sam Gibbens, who was not offered his position with Cromwell as its player-coach for another year, jumped at the chance to pull the struggling side together.
The side has plenty of props and will be gritty and tough, but consistency and ultimately a finals berth will be the goal.
Gains: Sam Gibbens (centre, Cromwell), Byron Clark (first five-eighth, overseas), Tane Tawera (No 8, Canterbury), Andrew Kennedy (prop, Otautau).
Losses: Simon Cross (openside flanker, Australia).
Key players: Centre Sam Gibbens, fullback Ben Purvis.
Wakatipu
Coach: Lindsey Thomas
Last year was a disappointment for the Queenstown-based side as it finished in the lower half of the table.
A revamped team with only five players returning from last year could bring the traditional heavyweight back into finals contention.
Thomas will be aided by former Highlanders flanker Kelvin Middleton and former Southland hooker Clark Frew.
Gains: Tom Kelly (second five-eighth, Invercargill), Bradley Cross (centre, Invercargill), Brett Anderson (prop, Wakatipu High School), Regan Pearce (utility, injury), Nick Dunn (halfback, Palmerston North).
Losses: None.
Key players: Midfield backs Tom Kelly and Bradley Cross, prop Brett Anderson.
