The competition no-one wants to be in
The provincial rugby season kicks off tomorrow. Aaron Goile looks at the teams in the Mitre 10 Championship.
It’s the competition no team aspires to be in, but because they’re forced to be playing for it, they are desperate to hold the silverware aloft.
Since the competition split in 2011, for the teams in the Championship it’s all about getting into the Premiership the following season.
This year Waikato have the ignominy of playing in the second tier for the first time since 1986, and look far from certain to push their way straight back out, such is the strength of other squads.
Otago go in as slight favourites with the TAB.
NORTHLAND
Last year: Semifinalists Forwards: Jordan Olsen, Matt Moulds, Ross Wright, Ropate Rinakama, Jack Straker, Isileli Tuungafasi, Paddy-Joe Atkins, Boyd Wiggins, Joshua Goodhue, Murray Douglas, Temo Mayanavanua, Tom Robinson, Matt Matich, Kara Pryor, Kane Jacobson, Jaycob Matiu, Sam McNamara.
Backs: Sam Nock, Jono Kitto, Mac Sykes, Jack Debreczeni, Myles Thoroughgood, Tim Blundell, Jack Goodhue, Scott Gregory, Blake Hohaia, Tamati Tua, Regan Verney, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Jone Macilai, Renata Roberts-Te Nana, Matt Wright, Noah Cooper.
Coach: Derren Witcombe (second season, also 2013-14).
TAB odds: $5.50
Look out for: Jack Debreczeni. Following a fifth Super Rugby campaign with the Melbourne Rebels, and a stint last year with the Honda Heat, the Auckland-born 25-year-old has signed with the Taniwha this season and will add some nous and size (1.92m, 100kg) in the key first five-eighth spot.
WAIKATO
Last year: Seventh in Premiership, relegated Forwards: Sekope LopetiMoli, Mike Mayhew, Samisoni Taukeiaho, Haereiti Hetet, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnstone, Sefo Kautai, Atu Moli, Toby Smith, Tim Bond, Sam Caird, Laghlan McWhannell, James Tucker, Jono Armstrong, Jahrome Brown, Adam Burn, Murray Iti, Luke Jacobson, Mitch Jacobson, Jordan Manihera.
Backs: Kylem O’Donnell, Jack Stratton, Raniera Takarangi, Matty Lansdown, Damian McKenzie, Fletcher Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, Pepesana Patafilo, Bailyn Sullivan, Dwayne Sweeney, Quinn Tupaea, Jordan Bunce, Tyler Campbell, Mosese Dawai, Niven Longopoa, Declan O’Donnell, Sevu Reece.
Coach: Jono Gibbes (first season).
TAB odds: $4
Look out for: Atu Moli. The 23-year-old prop will be itching to get back on the park after being sidelined with a nasty quad haematoma following the Chiefs’ opening game of the Super Rugby season against the Crusaders in February. It may not be the start of the competition when he returns, but whenever he does the All Blacks selectors will be interested.
BAY OF PLENTY
Last year: Runners-up Forwards: Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Sabastian Siataga, Ross Geldenhyus, James Lay, Tevita Mafileo, Tom McHugh, Aidan Ross, Solomona Sakalia, Jeff Thwaites, Tyler Ardron, Kane Le’aupepe, Baden Wardlaw, Hugh Blake, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Tanerau Latimer, Aileone Junior Lafaele-Mua, Hoani Matenga.
Backs: Luke Campbell, Richard Judd, Mike Delany, Jason Robertson, Lalakai Foketi, Terrence Hepetema, Liam Steel, Trael Joass, Matthew Garland, Fa’asui Fuatai, Kaleb Trask, Bailey Simonsson, Chase Tiatia.
Coach: Clayton McMillan (fourth season).
TAB odds: $4.50
Look out for: Tanerau Latimer. The five-test former All Black is back on the provincial scene for the first time in five years, after finishing a two-year stint with French club Bayonne. .
HAWKE’S BAY
Last year: Sixth
Forwards: Jacob Devery, Ash Dixon, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Ben Power, Joe Apikotoa, Mark Braidwood, Tim Farrell, Jason Long, Ben May, Pouri RaketeStones, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Michael Allardice, Geoff Cridge, Tom Parsons, Brodie Retallick, Hannon Brighouse, Gareth Evans, Devan Flanders, Solomone Funaki, Josh Kaifa, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Fa’elimiga Selesele, Will Tremain, Sam Ulufonua.
Backs: Folau Fakatava, Brad Weber, Tiaan Falcon, Lincoln McClutchie, Pasqualle Dunn, Sasa Tofilau, Shae Tucker,
Michael Buckley, Mason Emerson, Stacey Ili, Jonah Lowe, JJ Taulagi, Danny Toala.
Coach: Mark Ozich (first season)
TAB odds: $12
Look out for: Gareth Evans. The country’s loose forward depth was shown off when Evans – usually a No 8 – produced some outstanding form at the back end of Super Rugby when playing at openside flanker for the Hurricanes. More top performances could help ensure he keeps a few of the incumbent All Blacks loosies honest.
MANAWATU
Last year: Fifth
Forwards: Tim Cadwallader, Sam Stewart, Michael Alaalatoa, Fraser Armstrong, Sione Asi, Sean Paranihi, Faalelei Sione, Liam Hallam-Eames, Jackson Hemopo, Liam Mitchell, Brad Tucker, Nick Crosswell, Brice Henderson, Brayden Iose, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Sam Wasley.
Backs: Halfbacks Jamie Booth, Kayne Hammington, Aaron Smith, Otere Black, Sam Malcolm, Jade Te Rure, Jono Ihaka, Ngani Laumape, Lifeimi Mafi, Hamish Northcott, James Tofa, Rob Thompson, Junior Laloifi, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Michael Tagicakibau, Te Rangatira Waitokia.
Coach: Jeremy Cotter (third season).
TAB odds: $5.50
Look out for: Ngani Laumape. While he won’t be available for at least the first two rounds of the competition because he’s in the All Blacks squad as injury cover for Sonny Bill Williams, the bulldozing second five-eighth will have a point to prove when he does don the green jersey.
OTAGO
Last year: Semifinalists Forwards: Sam AndersonHeather, Liam Coltman, Sekonaia Pole, Jonah Aiona, Donald Brighouse, Tom Hill, Hisa Sasagi, Aki Seiuli, Josh Dickson, Joketani Koroi, Josh Larsen, Sione Misiloi, Tom Rowe, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Slade McDowall, Dylan Nel.
Backs: Kurt Hammer, Josh Renton, Josh Ioane, Finn Strawbridge, Michael Collins, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Vilimoni Koroi, Jona Nareki, Mitch Scott, Ben Smith, Josh Timu.
Coach: Ben Herring (first season).
TAB odds: $3.25
Look out for: Vilimoni Koroi. The 20-year-old has become a sevens superstar for New Zealand, but it’s in his second season with Otago where the lively fullback will be looking to advance his 15-a-side game, after being part of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship campaign earlier in the year.
SOUTHLAND
Last year: Seventh
Forwards: Brayden Mitchell, Jaya More, Flynn Thomas, Chris Apoua, Morgan Mitchell, Reuben Northover, Shaun Stodart, Joe Walsh, Jack Capil, Ben Fotheringham, Brenton Howden, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Ray Tatafu, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Tony Lamborn, Wade McCrae.
Backs: Nico Costa, Jay Renton, Tayler Adams, Greg Dyer, Broc Hooper, Matt Johnson, Aleki Morris, Ray Nu’u, James Wilson, Jackson Ormond, Lewis Ormond, Issac Te Tamaki, Tauasosi Tuimavave, Rory van Vugt.
Coach: Dave Hewett (first season).
TAB odds: $41
Look out for: James Wilson. At 35, the versatile back will be one of the oldest going around in the competition. Having debuted in 2003, he amassed 65 caps for the Stags as a first five-eighth/ fullback and kicked the drop goal to win the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in 2011. Wilson went offshore after that year.