Green Island

Last year: Seventh Cocoaches: Dean Moeahu (fourth year) and Erik Vaafusuaga (first year) Squad. —

Forwards: Jake Fowler, Taniora Raniera, Jessie Vaafusuaga, Sean Jansen, Logan Taimalie, Shane Fikken, Bradley Primmer, Samuel Duncan, Woody Kirkwood, Cory Wheeler, Timoci Tawaketini, Dylan Nel, Peter Mirrielees, Tim Heller, Richard Latu, Brett Kingsbury, Josh Hayward.

Backs: James Arscott, Niven Longopoa, Isaak Te Hiwi, Devin Stapley, Raymond Nu’u, Finn Strawbridge, Alex Barnsley, Delaney McKenzie, Sunia Makasini.

Seventh last year. Semifinals this season.

That is the plan, at least.

Green Island was a much better side than its lowly finish suggested. It had wins against most of the top sides, but a lack of bonus points proved costly.

Powerful Otago No 8 Dylan Nel joins and he is a boost.

Southland midfielder Ray Nu’u is a good ball runner and makes good decisions. His combination with pivot Finn Strawbridge shapes as an area of strength for the team.

Otago Boys’ High School halfback from last year James Arscott has joined Green Island.

Niven Longopoa has made the move south from Waikato. The outside back is a former athlete, who has pace and agility.

Ben Patston has made the move from player to coaching staff. He will be assisting cocoaches Dean Moeahu and Erik Vaafusuaga this season.

‘‘Just with the calibre of player we are carrying there is no reason why we can’t make the top four,’’ Moeahu responded when asked how the team would go.

‘‘Last year was a learning curve for a lot of our guys in how to close out games and make sure we were accumulating those bonus points. We’ll put that right this year.’’