North Otago
Coaches: Barry Matthews and Mike Mavor.
There will be lots of introductions in the squad, with plenty of new faces. Of the 35 players called on last year, 20 will be missing. These include the long-serving Luke Herden, Tevita Fifita, Taua Limuloa, Hamish McKenzie, Palenapa Mafi, Aisake Fonua, Ben Patston, Dave Simpson and Faiatu Tuamoheloa.
Newcomers are loan players Hamish Buick (Southern), Pehi Te Whare (Southland), Jack Wolfreys (University A), Tony Lamborn (Hawkes Bay) and Tom Verdonk (Dunedin). Billy Guyton and Eric Duff, both members of the New Zealand Heartland XV in 2011, have been sidelined with injury but are expected to take a full part in the season's programme.
South Canterbury
Coaches: Chester Scott and Simon Scott.
A newcomer is Dutch representative Stefan Vos, who will give the side an added lineout advantage. Loose forwards Sam Vea and Joeli Kotobolavu have both impressed. Veteran flanker Eric Smith will play his 100th game for South Canterbury this season. Sekope Maea is a lively halfback, and state of origin player Kurt Rooney will be at first five. Former North Otago player Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa will bolster the midfield. At fullback, Tenari Saumani is a powerful counter-attacker.
Mid Canterbury
Coach: Chris Neill.
The late finish of the Christchurch rugby competition has delayed the final selection of its loan players. Prop Jason Rickards has retired, and other losses have been locks Adam Ross and Vesi Luatua, prop James Kora and loose forward Sefo Makaui. Loan players include a sevens exponent, Misi Salavea, who can play wing or centre, halfback Mac Sykes and Simon Fleetwood.
Buller
Coaches: Craig Neil and Craig Scanlan.
Buller will use only two loan players this season. Lock James Foster and centre-winger Trael Joass are coming from Nelson. It will be a special season for flanker Luke Brownlee, who will be playing his 13th season for Buller. He has played 105 matches in succession and is chasing the Buller record of 137 games set by Thomas Stuart.
Prop Phil Beveridge, already a centurion, will go another season, but the side will be without the leadership of Phil Rossiter, who has been forced to retire with a neck injury. Gains are Ben Coman (Tasman) and first five Marty Banks.
West Coast
Coaches: Nathan Mauger and Jason Ryan.
The bulk of the 2011 squad is available, with one of the final spots expected to be a state of origin player. There is plenty of experience in the form of winger Maleli Tora, loose forward and captain Allan Monk, lock Brad Houston and hooker Rowan O'Gorman.
Tighthead prop Hamish Cochrane has arrived from Tasman, and halfback Dave Woods comes from Christchurch.
Horowhenua-Kapiti
Coaches: Charles Rudd and Jared Tanira.
Horowhenua-Kapiti has tossed aside its policy of selecting local players only this season.
Missing last season but returning for 2012 are No 8 Anthony Fox, inside back Sonny McBride and loose forward Nick Cooper.
Wairarapa-Bush
Coaches: Mark Rutene and Paddy Gough.
Captain Joss Tua-Davidson and Sam Mitchell have retired, hooker Jake Tipene and lock Dan Griffin are not available, and first five Zeb Aporo is playing his rugby in Wales, though is expected to return.
Versatile Fijian Jim Tenoci can play in midfield or in the forwards. The state of origin player will be Glen Walters.
New Zealand Universities prop Jon Fuimaono, No 8 Tom Fleming and midfielder Titapu Pairamas-Lewington arrive from Wellington.
Wanganui
Coach: Jason Caskey.
The defending Meads Cup champion will again be the team to beat. Loan player Tevita Taufu'i is overseas, while Steelie Koro has gone to league.
David Gower is back after a couple of seasons away. Ageless halfback Denning Tyrell will be behind the scrum. Taihape policeman and first five Tom Wells, although resident in the region, may have to be classified as a loan player, as will lock Jon Smyth, who moved to Northland.
King Country
Coach: Kurt McQuilkin.
Former Heartland representative Aaron Dunster had decided to retire but had a late change of heart. The arrival of Fijian winger Simeli Koniferedi will add pace out wide, while Rupene Seduadua and Samoan five-eighth Tanner Vili will bolster the side.
Poverty Bay
Coach: Grainger Heikell.
Gone are prop Colin Hovell, centre John Stewart, No 8 Karl Gemmell, five-eighth Kahu Tamatea, halfback Daniel Harris and lock Apisalome Ratuniyarawa. Sione Ngatu is only eight games short of his century, and the experienced Scott Leighton has scored 701 points for Poverty Bay. Player of origin will be Andrew Gardner, who has been chasing a Magpies jersey, while another loan player is New Zealand Schools hooker Conan Houkamau. Other additions are Fijian prop Jone Lesi, English flanker Josh Hart and Mid Canterbury five-eighth Nick Wilson.
East Coast
Coaches: Ngarimu Simpkins and Rua Tipoki.
Last year's Meads Cup finalist will be a confident side this season. Certain to lift the Ngati Porou side is the arrival of former All Black Caleb Ralph, flanker Brent Ingram and midfielder Pomare Samupo.
Morgan Wirepa will again be one of the loose trio, behind lock Willie Waitoa and props Michael Hartley and Tripoli Poi. Absent will be No 8 Mutu Ngarimu and lock Ricky Waitoa.
Thames Valley
Coach: Roger Wilton.
The squad will have a youthful appearance, with Allan McLean, Gene Walter Joe Reynolds, Johan Bardhout, Jimmy Harsford, Ryan Hohaia and Glenn Strange unavailable.
Halfback Aaron McDonald and fullback David Harrison will be key players.
- Terry O'Neill.
