ZingariRichmond

Last year: ninth

Squad. —

Forwards: Karl Still, Matt McCormick (cocaptain) Eli Tonga, BJ Puatolo, Jacob Turrell, Alex Nettleton, Feleti Tonga, Connor Graham, Conrad Williams, Junior Meafua, Chris Bell, Jack Wolfreys, Haki Hamilton, EJ Lam Cheung, Ciaran Jansen, Isi Veikoso.

Backs: Chris McNoe, Shae Tucker, Keenan Masina (cocaptain) Devin Redfern, Martin Bahmani, Liu Tongia, Thomas Johnson, Cole Bardwell, Taylor Fiddes, Mark McIver, Willie Time, Caleb Stevenson, Chris Talauta, Kite Moataane, Bailey Matoe.

Coach: Karina Nafatali (new), Richard Lindsay, Jack Wolfreys

The only way is up for ZingariRichmond after last season. It won the first game of the season against Harbour but that was as good as it got and it did not win another game.

Karina Nafatali takes over as coach and she will be assisted by Richard Lindsay and Jack Wolfreys. Wolfreys, a flanker, is coming back from a serious knee injury and could play later in the season.

Nafatali wants the side to improve through the season. The players had worked really hard in the offseason and a lot of new players have come in. She has no set goals as such but simply to progress and be competitive.

Shae Tucker, who was a quality back at University a few years, who moved to North Harbour and Hawkes Bay, is back in Dunedin, and turning out for the colours.

The side will have cocaptains, with Keenan Masina and Matt McCormick doing the job. Thomas Johnston is playing in England but should be back in April. Veteran Chris Bell is back for another year and will bring his vast experience to the team. Speedy back Taylor Fiddes is back from overseas.

Tom Rowe is playing in Japan and front rower Jesse Muir is not playing.

— Squads supplied by clubs