Dress rehearsals and an Auckland revival?
1. Will the CanterburyTasman game tomorrow be the precursor to the final yet again?
For the past two years these provinces have met in the premiership final and it would take a brave person to bet against that happening again. Canterbury have been champions for nine of the last 10 years and have another formidable team assembled. But their neighbours, who are now known as Tasman Mako, rather than Makos, have a squad sprinkled with All Blacks, including the veteran Wyatt Crockett.
2. Are Auckland going to be a force again?
Last year Auckland lost to Counties Manukau 16-14 in their opening game, signalling it was going to be a dreadful campaign for the country’s biggest province. They start the season against the Steelers again on Saturday, so it’s be a good indicator of how much they’ve improved under their new coaching team, led by Alama Ieremia. They’re sure to make progress, but challenging for silverware might be out of their reach this season.
3. Does Thomas Waldrom still have it at the age of 35?
The former England loose forward comes into the Wellington team as a replacement for Brad Shields, who’s gone the other way. He continues the trend of New Zealanders coming back to provincial rugby for one last hurrah, with Tanerau Latimer, James Wilson and Brendon Leonard doing likewise this year. Waldrom won’t have the pace he once had, and he was never that fast to begin with, but he’ll bring experience to a competition where the average age seems to get younger each year.
4 Can Southland defeat Hawke’s Bay for their first win since 2016?
The glory days of Southland holding the Ranfurly Shield in 2009 and again in 2011 seem distant memories now. While they might be able to win a game or two this year, beating the Magpies should be too tall an order.
5 Can Taranaki get up for their away games while holding the Ranfurly Shield?
Bay of Plenty will be the first province to test the theory that it’s tough to win away games while holding the Log o’ Wood. They should be too strong for the Steamers, who look like being one of the better sides in this year’s Championship. DAVID LONG