AT A GLANCE
ARANUI EAGLES
Titles: None (4 as Eastern Suburbs). Coach: Christian Swift. Last season: 5th. Key Gains: Clayton Waikato (Linwood). Key Losses: Tama Walker (Celebration), Patella Tou (Northern), Kahi Tipene (Riccarton). CELEBRATION LIONS
Titles: None. Coach: Steve Fenika. Last season: 7th. Key Gains: Kasi Leka, Abraham Fonomoa, Francis Tuiletufuga (year off), Tama Walker (Aranui), Teariki Tangiiti (Shirley). Key Losses: Phil Nati (Central Queensland Capras), Eddie Enosa (Linwood), Jack Mundy, Jake Vincent (year off), Joseph Gay (Northern).
HALSWELL HORNETS
Titles: 10. Coach: Rob Faalilo. Last season: 8th. Key Gains: Jaye Pukepuke (Papanui), Jason Galland (Riccarton), Sean Scott (year off). Key Losses: None. HORNBY PANTHERS
Titles: 27. Coach: Jed Lawrie. Last season: 2nd (beaten grand finalists). Key Gains: Ross Turi (Northern), Will Tafua (year off). Key Losses: Tevin Arona (Warriors), Paradise Mann (Papanui), David Tongo Tongo (Melbourne). LINWOOD KEAS
Titles: 11. Coach: Andrew Auimatagi. Last season: 1st (and grand final winners). Key Gains: Enosa (Celebration), Ben McIvor (rugby union). Key Losses: Chris Bamford (NSW Country), Matt Sauni (Warriors), Rangi Thompson (Brisbane club competition).
NORTHERN BULLDOGS
Titles: 0 (1 as Kaiapoi). Coach: Te Hira Niha. Last season: 6th. Key Gains: Tou (Aranui), Gay (Celebration). Key Losses: Turi (Hornby), Josh Reuben, Kyle Reuben (retired).
PAPANUI TIGERS
Titles: 14. Coach: Shane Endacott. Last season: Fourth. Key Gains: Mann (Hornby), George Vuna (Otahuhu). Key Losses: Jaye Pukepuke (Halswell), Andre October (retired), Nathan Saumalu (Mackay Cutters), Mark Walsh, Anaru Donnelly.
RICCARTON KNIGHTS
Titles: 2. Coach: Sam Brown. Last season: Third. Key Gains: Tipene (Aranui), Zach Riley (Papanui). Key Losses: Junior Maiava (family commitments), Chase Williams (Northern), Galland (Halswell), Angus Anderson (Wellington). SATURDAY’S FIRST ROUND DRAW
All kickoffs 2.45pm – Aranui Eagles v Riccarton Knights, QEII Park; Halswell Hornets v Northern Bulldogs, Halswell Domain; Hornby Panthers v Linwood Keas, Branston Park; Papanui Tigers v Celebration Lions, Canterbury Park. *Information provided by Will Evans, Canterbury Rugby League.