The New Zealand domestic season is about to get under way, with focus being on the impending "seven team split", how long Southland can retain the Ranfurly Shield, and if another side can break Canterbury’s iron grip on the competition.
The competition will be fierce this year as the top seven sides will become part of the top table of New Zealand domestic table via the “Premiership”, whilst the bottom seven sides will form the “Championship”.
There will be promotion and relegation between the two divisions, so there has been some furious recruitment drives by the unions to ensure that they can compete in what promises to be the most ferociously fought competition in many years.
The red and blacks have won the last two titles, and this season have a squad that still looks immense despite being without numerous All Blacks (seven - six forwards and one back)
George Whitelock captains the side, and is joined by All Blacks Andy Ellis, Wyatt Crockett and Isaac Ross; as well as numerous Crusaders in Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Sean Maitland and Colin Slade.
There will also be the much anticipated introduction of Sonny Bill Williams, who will further add glitter to an already impressive backline.
We then have the perennial runners-up in Wellington, who will be hoping to add a title to their numerous finals appearances (six in the last seven years) having now not won the prize since 2000.
The boys in the capital will want to make a point, especially season captain Rodney So’oialo, Neemia Tialata and Hosea Gear, all players who are good enough to push for All Black end of year tour berths.
When adding stalwarts such as Jacob Ellison, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, John Schwalger and Jeremy Thrush; and Junior World Cup winning sensation Julian Savea, hopes will be high that the Lions could go all the way.
Southland’s early season form will be of much interest considering they are also “defending champions” as holders of the prestigious Ranfurly Shield.
Having already seen off pre-season challenges in the form of North Otago and Wanganui, the Stags will welcome southern rivals Otago on August 7 and Counties-Manukau a week later.
If they manage to get through those matches unscathed, they will welcome no less than Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington as the season progresses, a test of Southland's credentials.
The form of Auckland will be interesting, for while they boast a solid squad, it does not boast a cadre of fringe or out of favour All Blacks.
The return of Daniel Braid will be watched as his form for Queensland in the Rebel Sport Super 14 suggests that he may be the man to finally serve as a permanent understudy to Richie McCaw.
But like all the squads, the Aucklanders are littered with promising under 20’s players, fresh from their Junior World Cup success, and a few stalwarts like Brent Ward and Toby Morland who will be keen to make a point.
Waikato will be somewhere at the business end of the season with a side buttressed with All Blacks, notably Stephen Donald and Brendan Leonard. They will be supported by plenty of Chiefs and will look to improve on their sixth placed finish last year.
Rounding out the big five is Otago, who are being talked up this season with a solid squad, with many local boys joining All Blacks in Adam Thomson, forgotten winger Ben Smith and old hand Kees Meeuws.
Coached by Phil Mooney, who may feel like he can prove a point after his hard years with the Queensland Reds; he could impart a new culture at a side that has traditionally underperformed in recent years.
Hawke’s Bay, outstanding with their fourth placed semi final finish last year, will want to ensure they continue to match it with the big boys.
The Magpies have lost a couple of their strike weapons, notably Israel Dagg to the All Blacks, and this could in turn result that they will not catch any one by surprise this season.
However in Peter Russell they have a canny coach who will ensure his troops are well prepared for a scrap to become one of the Premiership teams.
The beauty of this year’s competition is that there is something or someone to watch in all teams.
Counties-Manukau have the services of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and will be interesting to follow, as will attacking threats in Sherwin Stowers and Tim Nanai Williams.
North Harbour sees Luke McAlister continue to fight his way back into All Black colours.
Bay of Plenty will look to improve on their midtable finish last year, and an aggressive recruitment drive now sees Leilia Masaga and Ben Smith joing regulars such as Tanerau Latimer and Colin Bourke.
Taranaki welcomes home former Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper, and with a squad boasting talent such as David Smith, Tyson Keats, Willie Ripia, Scott Waldrom and Craig Clarke, they will be a team to look out for.
Manawatu, Northland and Tasman all provided their share of shocks last year, and will not just be making up the numbers. All three cross paths with superpowers early and they will hope to build some momentum before the business end of the ITM Cup.
The action kicks off on Thursday 29 July, with Taranaki hosting Northland, and will stretch through late October, finishing with the Steelers taking on the Magpies at Pukekohe to finish the regular season.
Squads for rugby's 2010 national provincial championship:
Northland:
Aaron Bancroft, Sam Barker, Dean Budd, Mark Burman, Rhyan Caine, Adam Clarke, Matt Clutterbuck, Tim Dow, Cameron Eyre, Paea Fa'anunu, Brook Gilmore, Cameron Goodhue, Roy Griffin, Iwi Hauraki, Luke Hamilton, David Holwell, Mateo Malupo, Joel McKenty, Lachie Munro, Simon Munro, Bronson Murray, Brock Mustard, Pat O'Connor, Jared Payne (captain), Rene Ranger, Mikaele Tuu'u, Matt Wallis, Ross Wright
Coach - Bryce Woodward
North Harbour:
Ben Afeaki, James Afoa, Ben Botica, Tom Chamberlain, Alipate Fatafehi, Michael Farmer, James King, Michael Harris, Grayson Hart, Manu Leiataua, Mathew Luamanu, Michael Mayhew, Richard Mayhew, Luke McAlister, Jack McPhee, James Parson, Filo Paulo, Ken Pisi, Malakai Ravulo, Michael Reid (captain), Chris Smylie, Jack Tarrant, Nalu Tuigamala, Nafi Tuitavake, Scott Uren, Brendon Watt, William Whetton, Josh York
Coach - Craig Dowd
Auckland:
Ben Atiga, Onosa'i Auva'a, Matt Berquist, Daniel Braid, Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Kurtis Haiu, Brenton Helleur, Jamie Helleur, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Ash Moeke, Liaki Moli, Toby Morland, Atieli Pakalani, Charles Piutau, Sean Polwart, Chay Raui, Peter Saili, Winston Stanley, Dave Thomas, Andrew Van der Heijden, Brent Ward
Coach - Mark Anscombe
Counties-Manukau:
Jamie Chipman, Dean Cummins, Graham Dewes, Jeremiah Fatialofa, Viliami Fihaki, Samisoni Fisilau, DJ Forbes, Grant Henson, Baden Kerr, Fritz Lee, Ray Lee-lo, Simon Lemalu, Ilaisa Ma'asi, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jono Owen, Siale Piutau, August Pulu, Ronald Raaymakers, David Raikuna, Mark Selwyn, Waka Setitaia, Sherwin Stowers, Seremaia Tagicakibau, Ahsee Tuala, Taiasina Tuifua, Tana Umaga
Coach - Milton Haig
Waikato:
Sosene Anesi, Alex Bradley, Aled de Malmanch, Stephen Donald, Hikairo Forbes, Romana Graham, Frank Halai, Zak Hohneck, Vern Kamo, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Jack Lam, Brendan Leonard, Christian Lealiifano, Toby Lynn, Ben May, Tim Mikkelson, Chris Middleton, Trent Renata, Steven Setephano, Toby Smith, Henry Speight, Dwayne Sweeney, Save Tokula, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Nathan White (captain), Jackson Willison, Matt Vant Leven
Coach - Chris Gibbes
Bay of Plenty:
James McGougan, Joe Savage, Josh Hohneck, Tristan Moran, Daniel Perrin, John Pareanga, Cullum Rettalick, John Moore, Luke Andrews, Colin Bourke (captain) Luke Braid, Sam Cane, Solomon King, Tanerau Latimer, Josh Hall, Dan Waenga, Mike Delany, Nick McCashin, Brett Mather, Cory Aporo, Grant McQuoid, Phil Burleigh, Ben Smith, Jason Hona, Lance MacDonald, Leilia Masaga, Toby Arnold.
Coach - Sean Horan
Taranaki:
Kurt Baker, Beauden Barrett, Kane Barrett, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Carl Carmichael, Craig Clarke (captain), Shane Cleaver, Laurence Corlett, Brett Goodin, Jayden Hayward, Jarrad Hoeata, Scott Ireland, Tyson Keats, Sione Lea, Kylem O'Donnell, George Pisi, Leon Power, Cody Rei, Willie Rickards, Willie Ripia, David Smith, Ben Souness, Andre Taylor, Blade Thomson, Isaia Tuifua, Timo Tutavaha, Samuela Vunisa, Scott Waldrom, Chris Walker, Johnny Willis
Coach - Colin Cooper
Hawke's Bay:
Trent Boswell-Wakefieldm, Richard Buckman, Mike Coman, Israel Dagg, Chris Eaton, Hika Elliot, Bryn Evans, Kahn Fotuali'i, Zac Guildford, Andrew Horrell, Mark Jackman, Michael Johnson, Gillies Kaka, Ross Kennedy, Josh Keys, Dan Kirkpatrick, Kas Lealamanua, Karl Lowe, Ryan McLeod, Clint Newland, Anthony Perenise, Leighton Price, Luke Rooney, Jason Shoemark (captain), Eugene Smith, Star Timu, Grant Webb
Coach - Peter Russell
Manawatu:
Francis Bryant, Karl Bryson, Craig Clare, Tomasi Cama, Mitchell Crosswell, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden, Ma'afu Fia, Michael Fitzgerald, Rob Foreman, Callum Gibbins, Hamish Gosling, Karl Haitana, Bertus Mulder, Sean O'Connor, James Oliver, Shannon Paku, Hadleigh Parkes, Grant Polson, Lote Raikabula, Reece Robinson, Aaron Smith, Casey Stone, Fraser Stone, Tevita Taufui, Isaac Thompson, Doug Tietjens, Asaeli Tikorotuma
Coach - Dave Rennie
Wellington:
Adrian Barone, Dane Coles, Hayden Cripps, Jacob Ellison, Fa'atonu Fili, Scott Fuglistaller, Hosea Gear, Michael Hobbs, Cory Jane, Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Alby Mathewson, Motu Matu'u, Api Naikatini, Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Buxton Popoalii, Daniel Ramsay, Mark Reddish, Ged Robinson, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, (captain), Lima Sopoaga, Apoua Stewart, David Te Moana, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Ruki Tipuna, Shaun Treeby, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu
Coach - Jamie Joseph
Tasman:
Jarrod Aberhart, Shane Christie, Ben Coman, Anthony Elisala, Vernon Fredericks, Glen Gregory, Chris Jack (captain), Huia Tevita Koloamatangi, Poutasi Luafutu, Quentin MacDonald, Fai Mika, Craig Moore, Sam Prattley, Jonathan Poff, Francis Smith, Joe Wheeler, Steve Alfeld, Blair Cook, Daniel Hawkins, Sione Holani, James Kamana, Robbie Malneek, James Marshall, Tom Marshall, Afeleki Pelenise, Kade Poki, Jack Umaga, Kaide Whiting.
Coach - Kieran Keane
Canterbury:
Rodney Ah You, Peter Borlase, Stephen Brett, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Andy Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Steve Fualau, Willi Heinz, Sean Maitland, Nasi Manu, Sam Monaghan, Paul Ngauamo, Brendon O'Connor, Andrew Olorenshaw, Patrick Osborne, Ash Parker, Luke Romano, Isaac Ross, Colin Slade, Matt Todd, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Telusa Veainu, Rob Verbakel, Adam Whitelock, Dan Carter, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, George Whitelock (captain), Sam Whitelock, Sonny Bill Williams
Coach - Rob Penney
Otago:
Halani Aulika, Liam Coltman, Glenn Dickson, Paul Grant, Sam Hibbard, Joe Hill, Eben Joubert, Seko Kalou, Paula Kinikinilau, Johnny Legg, Hoani Matenga, Kees Meeuws, Peter Mirrielees, Chris Noakes, Charlie O'Connell, Andrew Parata, Sean Romans, Ryan Shortland, Chris Small, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai, Josh Tatupu, Adam Thomson, Josh Townsend, Hayden Triggs, Fetu`u Vainikolo
Coach - Phil Mooney
Southland:
Nicholas Barrett, Dion Bates, Joshua Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Scott Cowan, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Glen Horton, Chris King, Tony Koonwaiyou, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh (captain), Seminar Manu-Tinela, Brayden Mitchell, James Paterson, Micheal Peterson, Sonny Rangitoheriri, Robbie Robinson, Jason Rutledge, Michael Ryan, Matt Saunders, Hua Tamariki, Pehi Te Whare, Kane Thompson, Joe Tuineau, Mark Wells, James Wilson
Coaches - David Henderson and Simon Culhane
National provincial championship rugby records:
Season records:
Most points (team) - 521. Otago, 1998
Most points (player) - 196. Tony Brown (Otago) 1998
Most tries (team) - 70. Auckland, 1994
Most tries (player) - 15. Terry Wright (Auckland) 1984; Brendan Laney (Otago) 1998
Most conversions - 46. Canterbury 2001
Most penalty goals - 40. Taranaki 2009
Champions:
1976 - Bay of Plenty
1977 - Canterbury
1978 - Wellington
1979 - Counties
1980 - Manawatu
1981 - Wellington
1982 - Auckland
1983 - Canterbury
1984 - Auckland
1985 - Auckland
1986 - Wellington
1987 - Auckland
1988 - Auckland
1989 - Auckland
1990 - Auckland
1991 - Otago
1992 - Waikato
1993 - Auckland
1994 - Auckland
1995 - Auckland
1996 - Auckland
1997 - Canterbury
1998 - Otago
1999 - Auckland
2000 - Wellington
2001 - Canterbury
2002 - Auckland
2003 - Auckland
2004 - Canterbury
2005 - Auckland
2006 - Waikato
2007 - Auckland
2008 - Canterbury
2009 - Canterbury
Multiple winners
16 - Auckland
7 - Canterbury
4 - Wellington
2 - Waikato, Otago
Notes for re-format of tournament from 2011
The new competition format from 2011 will see 14 teams split into two divisions of seven teams based on their on-field finishing positions in 2010. The top seven teams will form the Premiership and the bottom seven the Championship. Teams will play all other teams in their division plus four other teams from the other division (there will be an innovative new process for teams to select their cross-division opponents with the detail to be finalised in the first quarter next year). All matches will carry full competition points. The winner of the Championship will receive automatic promotion to the Premiership replacing the 7th placed team in the Premiership which will be relegated to the Championship.
In 2011, due to New Zealand hosting RWC 2011, the competition window will be restricted to eight weeks. As a result, in 2011 only, there will be three mid-week matches and no semi-finals.
From 2012 the competition will commence two weeks after the conclusion of the new expanded Super Rugby in mid-August and be played over 12 weeks. This will see the introduction of semi-finals and no mid week matches.