Competition kicks off
Another Senior A men’s club rugby competition starts this weekend and it has expanded to nine teams.
Linton Army and Feilding Old BoysŌroua are back in the top grade. FOB-Ōroua withdrew before the 2022 season and Linton pulled out during the 2019 season.
This year, FOB-Ōroua are coached by Crete Cribb and still have much of the team that won the B grade the past two years.
First-five Paora Rakatau, prop Lucas Puts, hooker Keilan Henry, loosies Ben Taylor and Dre Sherwill return, as does Jamie Perigo, who has moved from the backs into the loose forwards.
They have gained prop Peter Seeling from Bay of Plenty and centre-wing Makesi Semisi Tulemau from their colts team.
Feilding Yellows have a settled squad this year after debuting 14 players last season.
Ethan Henare returns as co-coach alongside Sam Mayes, with the evergreen Brad Carr, who is approaching 400 games, helping as player-coach.
They have gained prop Josiah Johnston and centre Jack Delaney from Feilding High School, as well as 10-12 Caleb Leef from Otago.
Veteran forward Hayden Stratford has come out of retirement.
Returning are Griffin Culver, Kyle Brown, Andre Hoggard, Sam Hunter, Jack Fleury and Ricky Cribb.
Kia Toa have a strong squad, bolstered by a handful of players who have come from Freyberg in prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, midfielder Chance Malu, wing Sheriff Fetu and hooker Raymond Tuputupu.
Key men back include hooker Sase Va'a, halfback Jakob Rauhihi-Collis, lock Fraser Stone and back Pena Va’a.
Halfback Logan Love has moved back from Wellington and lock Blake Kidby is another addition.
Mike Tagicakibau is coaching again.
Freyberg still have a solid core despite the changes and are coached by Potene Paewai again.
Prop Darius Mafile’o has moved to Australia, while back Maika Rova and loosie Jekope Kitou have returned to New Plymouth.
Joe Gavigan, Telson Liuvaie, Reuben Davis and Michael Halutuituia should be key players this year.
Prop Dwein Paul has moved up from the South Island and No 8 Chris Lafaele has come from Wellington.
Last year’s beaten finalists College Old Boys have had a lot of changes, but coach Kingi Matenga is back.
Andrew McDougall has retired, Leif Schwencke has gone to Linton, Jayden Keelan is with the New Zealand sevens team, Elyjah Crosswell is in Australia, Sean Paranihi is in the United States, Te Anini Pardoe is moving to Australia and Timoci Serawalu is playing in Whanganui.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Waqa Nalaga are away with Super Rugby.
Main men back include Jared Goodson, Jared Sellwood, Isaac Tupai, Vernon Bason, Jahlon Governor and James Tofa. Jordi Viljoen will play when Hurricanes commitments allow. Andre Taylor is helping coach but may play as well.
New players include hooker Henele Oliveti and star No 8 Mosese Bason out of Feilding High School, first-five Rihari Jobe and prop Misinale Epenisa.
Defending champions Varsity have had some changes, particularly in the front row.
Hooker-prop Nick Grogan has retired and prop Sam Tufuga is in Australia. Prop Flyn Yates is playing in Japan but may be back later in the season. Loosie Johnny Galloway has retired.
They have gained midfielders Mativa Fanua from Palmerston North Boys' High School and Ollie Cole from New Plymouth Boys' High School, first-five Hunter Yarrall from Hawke's Bay and prop George Jacobs from Wellington.
Julian Goerke, Dylan Hall, Reuben Nelley, Sam Dyer, Logan Henry, Reece Brosnan, Bryn Wilson, Josh Taula, Regan Sword, Sam Coles and Scott Davidson all return, as does coach Blair van Stipriaan.
Old Boys-Marist have had a big turnover, especially in the front row.
They have lost 11 players from last year, including four props. Kegan Christian-Goss has gone to Ireland, Aidan Champion to Australia and Rhys Pedersen has retired.
Key men returning are Chris Cairns, Alec Odell, Matene Ruawai and Max Harris.
They have gained hooker Van Prenter, prop Logan Wallace, lock Jett Donald-Charnley and first-five Liam O’Connor from Palmerston North Boys’ High School, halfback Jai Tamati from Rotorua and prop Kaukiri Vao from St Peter’s College.