They will play a triangular fixture against Otago and newly promoted North Otago, after North Otago was a finalist in division two in recent seasons and kept Southland and South Canterbury at bay. Last season, Otago held a slender lead after the Queenstown round, but, with the Rennie Trophy played over the two rounds, Lakes snatched a narrow win, and overall success, in the return fixture.
Both teams should be able to account for North Otago comfortably, especially after the loss of top-10 ranked Hungarian Janos Manyai, and it is tomorrow's clash between the two favourites that should set up an intriguing contest in Dunedin in March.
The return of Riki McLachlan from a scholarship at Berkeley will strengthen the Lakes men, but the loss of James Smith from the area will balance this a little. The experience of Mark Milburn and Perry Crockett, both former Otago titleholders, backed up by Chris Bradley and promising nationally ranked junior, Miki Nobuzawa, means they should hold the upper hand in the men's side.
Otago has gained Pat Nolan, a former Canterbury representative, who has been studying in Dunedin, and is now coaching in the city.
Alex Low, the Nelson representative returns, and backup is provided by Paddy Ou, and Carlos and Oliver Reid. The younger brigade will be seeking to return a dividend at this level and try to cover the loss of Kyu Kim to injury.
The Lakes women are more vulnerable, despite the loss of Otago's Sian and Hannah English, who are concentrating on other sports at elite level.
Georgia Hume has been playing interclub in Auckland and Christchurch in recent times, and Jessie Stevenson has continued to progress. They will be backed by the experience of Debby Stevens, making a successful return to competitive play, and former Australian Emma Hilder.
Lakes will lose Frenchwoman Pascale Leroy and junior Hannah Speight from last season. Veterans Felicity Oxnevad and Suma Ito will be back again, and nationally ranked junior Emilia Price will be introduced at top senior level. Tammy Smith and Li Ying Moroney have been recruited to division one.
Play begins at the Queenstown Gardens at 9am. North Otago plays a doubleheader against Lakes, then Otago. The host meets Otago tomorrow.
In division two, Otago B meets South Canterbury A and North Otago B in Oamaru, and next weekend Southland Town and Country plays Southern Lakes B. A round robin will be completed by these teams in Dunedin in March.
