We’ve got to join together
Four Southland clubs Cooks, Cowboys, He Tauaa and the Winton Warlords will play two rounds of games against Otago opposition on Saturdays as part of a revamped competition starting on April 22.
The depth of the Southland squads is likely to be tested this season with two Southland teams on the road each weekend to tackle Otago club teams Kia Toa Tigers, South Pacific Raiders, University and the East Coast Eagles.
The Tigers won the 2016 Otago rugby league competition and will represent a tough challenge for the Southland teams.
The expanded club competition will provide sides with the opportunity to be part of an eight team league, which will provide players with the chance to test themselves against a wider range of opponents ahead of the representative season.
There will also be two Southland competition rounds, with the first starting on Saturday, while City are back in the competition, scheduled to play the other four teams on Sundays throughout the season.
He Tauaa won the 2016 Southland competition final over Cowboys and expect those two teams to be the frontrunners in 2017.
The season kicks off today with Cowboys playing Cooks at 1pm, and Winton taking on defending champions He Tauaa at 2:45pm, with both games scheduled for Elles Road Park.
On Sunday, City will play Cowboys at 1pm at Elles Road Park.
Southland teams in Otago/ Southland competition:
COOKS
Coaches: Chee Turuwhenua, Shane Turner, Bruce Aupouri.
Key losses: Several players to retirement and leaving the province including Chee Turuwhenua (coaching).
Key players: Ramera Chambers, Matt Birch, Cam Manson, Prince Collins, Shandley Aupouri, Tihema Brown, Hayden Key and Hama Tauroa. Last year: Third The lowdown: Cooks have lost players to retirement and other commitments, so it could be a rebuilding year for the club.
The loss of experienced Chee Turuwhenua will be a big blow, but he will be able to impart his knowledge as coach.
They are hoping to unearth some new talent in 2017 and are still looking for some keen players to complete their roster, which has been training hard for the new competition.
HE TAUAA
Coach: Moses Faamoe Ioane Key Gains: Suesue Aliivaa (Cowboys), Robert Peseta (injury) Key Losses: Iona Sipa Key Players: Javaan and Jayleel Fa’amoe-Ioane, Heath Roberts, Willy Pera, Shaun Tamariki-Todd and Captain Chez Cameron. Last year: Champions The lowdown: The defending champions from the Southland competition boast a strong squad with plenty of Southland Rams representative players from last season, along with the coach.
Javaan and Jayleel Fa’amoeIoane, Heath Roberts, Willy Pera, Shaun Tamariki-Todd and captain Chez Cameron form the spine of the team which should give Rams coach Moses Fa’amoe-Ioane plenty of firepower.
He Tauaa have won the Southland competition for the last four years and will be looking for further success in 2017.
COWBOYS
Coach: Shannon Gage Gains: Korey Pennicott (Cooks), Tane Puki (Australia), Sam Brame (Otago), Tuki Hiko (Cooks), Brennan Sutherland (injury), Jamie Balloch (rugby).
Losses: Taaua).
Key players: Logo Peteru, Afi Peteru , Dylan Lovett, Daniel Low, Josh Gough, Roman Barrie. Last year: Runner up The lowdown: The Cowboys will be aiming for finals football again in 2017.
They lost narrowly to He Tauaa in the Southland club final in 2016 and have boosted their squad with some new recruits heading into 2017.
The inspirational Dylan Lovett, along with a sprinkling of Southland Rams will provide plenty of higher level experience for the team after their 2016 representative season. Suesue Allivaa
WINTON WARLORDS
(He Coach: Andrew Osborn Key losses: Joseph Black (Auckland)
Key players: James Ratima, Darcy More, Joel Maguire-Ratema, Moape Bula. Last year: Fourth The lowdown: The Warlords will be looking to get the best out of their mix of youth and experience in 2017.
They face the challenge of being the only Southland country team, meaning they have players scattered throughout the province, but they are hoping with a relatively injury free season that they can make an impact this season.