Excelsior
Coach: Jason Forrest.
Key players: Mat Duff, Samu Babiau, Matia Batavotavo.
The oil: Excelsior lifted the Citizens Shield for the first time since 1997 when they won the title last year. But the only thing harder than winning the Citizens Shield is defending it, and that begins tomorrow when they head up the Waitaki Valley to play Kurow. Captain Mat Duff was key to last year’s campaign and will again be important in the loose forwards. He brings a wealth of experience and co-captained North Otago during the Heartland Championships to cap off 2024. Matia Batavotavo is impressive from broken play and Josh Phipps provides a steady hand at the back. Josefa Vurewa has moved to Taieri. Waitaki Wahine player Chelsea Seddon has also joined as the forwards coach.
Valley
Coach: Barry Matthews and John Clunie.
Key players: Cameron Rowland, Jake Greenslade, Jake Matthews.
The oil: Valley have been a mainstay at the top of the Citizens Shield for years now. And while they may have lost a couple of key cogs from last season, they will again have their sights set high. Valley are without stalwart Sam Sturgess who has moved away, as has lock Blake Welsh. Jacob Pledger is also only available for the first half of the season. But they still have a decent spine. No 8 Cameron Rowland, who co-captained North Otago last season, is a workhorse, Jake Greenslade is massive up front, and Jake Matthews is always among the best halfbacks. Isaac Clunie controls things nicely from first five as well.
Kurow
Coach: Andrew Fisher.
Key players: Dean Fenwick, Laine Hickey.
The oil: Kurow made it through to the elimination semifinal last year and always have a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done. They would love to get their hands on the shield again, after going back-to-back in 2021-22. They have lost experience with Matt Faddes, Mitch Scott and Ben Nowell not expected to lace up the boots this season. Captain Dean Fenwick has speed to burn on the wing, and Sam Keno was a handy addition last season. Forward Mitch Morton, who was integral in the John McGlashan College side that made it through to the national top four in 2022, has also moved to Kurow.
Athletic Marist
Coach: Tim Anderson.
Key players: Savenaca Rabaka, Osea Qamasea, Lisivani Tuifua.
The oil: Athletic Marist made a welcome return to the playoffs last season after finishing fourth in the standings. They are packed across the park and will be hunting for their first title since 2010. Captain Savenaca Rabaka is impressive in the loose forwards and stepped up another level during the Heartland season, and Paea Fifita is also big on the other side of the scrum. Dynamic prop Lisivani Tuifua is a strong ball carrier and Epineri Logavatu is a big lineout target. Winger Osea Qamasea is a weapon and scores some brilliant tries. Tim Anderson is back at the helm for his second season, alongside assistants Tyler Burgess and Hayden James.
Old Boys
Coach: Ralph Darling.
Key players: Junior Fakatoufifita, Tini Feke, Kelepi Funaki.
The oil: You can never dismiss the danger that looms when it comes to Old Boys. Packed with Pasifika flair, Old Boys are a threat up front and out the back. Powerful No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita is unstoppable off the back of the scrum, and Tini Feke, who was the competition’s leading try-scorer with 11 last year, can light up the field from anywhere in the backs. Captain Kelepi Funaki is one of the best scrummagers in North Otago, and back Inoke Fisilau was the competition’s overall top scorer with 111 points last season. North Otago great Ralph Darling is head coach this season, having previously been a player-coach before hanging up the boots a few years ago.
Maheno
Coach: Marty McAtamney.
Key players: Hayden Tisdall, Lachie Kingan, Marcus Balchin.
The oil: Maheno are always ones to watch. Despite struggling for numbers last season, they were tough to overcome. They have an impressive forward pack, led by stalwart Hayden Tisdall. Marcus Balchin has plenty of experience in the loose forwards, and young Toby Growcott has come on in the front row. He was selected for the national under-20 Heartland team last year. Halfback Robbie Smith has hung up the boots and shifted into an assistant coaching role with the club. Backs Harry Dennison and Lachie Kingan will co-captain the team. Jacob Day — who played rugby league for the Otago Whalers last year — is always a hard-hitting ball-carrier in the backline.
