King’s High School First XV
Co-coaches: Ryan Bambry and Will Henry
Last year: Champion
The oil: Massive turnover this season but co-captains Izaak Parata and Giovanni Leituala are experienced campaigners. Parata will give King’s some go-forward from the base of the scrum and Leituala is a strong defender in the midfield and a quality goal kicker. Look out for halfback Nathan Hastie and first five-eighth Henri Mitchell-Collie as well.
John McGlashan College
Coach: Matt Direen
Last year: Beaten finalist
The oil: A tight and well-organised team with the experience and the talent to return to the final. Loose forwards Leroy Ferguson and Oliver Geddes will ensure the pack is competitive. Both are good ball carriers and tireless defenders. Midfielder Toby Jarvie is a quality all-rounder and combative runner. The trio are sharing the captaincy duties this season.
South Otago High School
Coach: Tim Hutton
Last year: Third
The oil: Off to a tough start with Otago Boys’ First XV first up. But the team is hoping to build through the season. Look out for the captain, Kace Shaw. He is a promising No 8. Blindside Jesse Hutton is in his third year in the team and is a key man in the lineout, and midfielder Jordan McPhee-Hale has great acceleration.
Otago Boys’ High School 2nd XV
Coach: John Leslie
Last year: Fourth
The oil: Beware the B team. There is a lot of heart and determination in the squad and quite a bit of talent. Lock Masyn Opetaia is rangy and athletic, loose forward Elijah Pomare is a quality ball gatherer and impressive defender, and midfielder Laulelei Finau is the main playmaker. He has good vision and is very agile.
Waitaki Boys’ High School
Coach: Wayne Kinzett
Last year: Fifth
The oil: Lots of players back from last season but they are mostly year 12 pupils. Second five-eighth Bryden Skinner is captain. He is a solid player with a good step. Loosehead prop Tonga Malafu should make a difference in the set piece and hooker Siketi Tevao is a skillful player with pace and an eye for an intercept.
Mt Aspiring College
Coach: Hamish Crosbie
Last year: Sixth
The oil: The aim is to be competitive with the other co-ed schools but the numbers are a bit lean this year. Hooker Sam Howard has developed into a good player and is always happy to hit the ball up. First five-eighth Lochie Weir’s game management has improved and he was the team’s leading try-scorer last season. Fullback Jack East is a top 400m runner, so he has great pace combined with a good understanding of space.
Dunstan High School
Coach: Garry Marsh
Last year: Seventh
The oil: Another team with plenty of turnover but captain Brayden Laing is an inspiring leader and will run the cutter from first five-eighth. Loose forward Beau Meehan is a quality poacher and fast around the paddock. Left winger Ivan Hill looks to have a bright future. He is fast and he runs clever lines.
Taieri College
Co-coaches: Ryan Rosevear and Jared Peacock
Last year: Eighth
The oil: Taieri will find itself outclassed against the top sides but hopefully competitive with the co-ed schools. No8 and captain Hunter Dale likes getting the ball in his hands and is a key player. Second five-eighth Jacob Walls is another crash-it-up merchant but it will be pivot Logan Gorinski’s job to pull it all together. He has a good passing game and reads the game well.
St Kevin’s College
Coach: Robbie Breen
Last year: Ninth
The oil: Most of last year’s team is back which should give the side a bit of confidence. The players have been training since November and have shown some good fitness. Blindside flanker Eli Winders will look to give the team some impetus while Ben McCarthy, at first five-eighth, will steer the side round the paddock. The goal is to finish in the top six and be the top co-ed school in the competition.
Kavanagh College
Coach: Jacinta Neilson
Last year: Last
The oil: It was a tough season last year but the team is hoping to be more competitive. Elusive second five-eighth Kite Moataane has a great skill set and is quick on his feet. Fullback Will Campbell has something you cannot train — out and out pace. And openside Niall Quinn is an absolute workhorse who will tackle all day and is often first to the rucks.
Otago Boys’ First XV
Coach: Ryan Martin
Last year: Played in the premier colts grade
The oil: Last time Otago Boys played in the competition it ran up some cricket scores and it is expected to be dominant again. Players will share the captaincy. Uncompromising loose forward Jesse Vaafusuaga is in the leadership group. He is an aggressive defender and powerful ball carrier. Halfback James Arscott has silky skills and explosive speed, and midfield general Tevita Asi is a triple threat with his ability to run, kick or think his way into space.
King’s High School 2nd XV
Coach: Elwyn Rouvi
Last year: Played in a different school grade
The oil: The top six might be a stretch but the team is targeting three or four wins in the first round and hopes to be competitive with the top sides. Blindside flanker Azmir Aryal is a hard worker, prop Lemanu Ma’asi is a big tackler and big ball runner and co-captain Will Patu will provide some guidance from the back of the scrum. He is one of two year 13 players in the side.