The concern is basic.
Can anybody stop Celtic getting their ninth Hamersley Cup senior rugby title in a row.
Over the previous years there have actually been some pretenders to their throne however they have actually lost.
John Hawkins
Previous Highlander JP Koen has actually signed up with the Mud Canines from Southland.
Once again it appears Harlequins, Pleasant Point, Temuka and perhaps Mackenzie might be in the mix however when push pertains to push it appears the ‘green maker’ might well be unstoppable.
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* Celtic make it 8 in a row
* New surface area for Alpine Energy Arena
Another Hamersley Cup win will likewise take Celtic to 2nd on the all-time list of successive senior club titles behind Invercargill’s Star Rugby Club, which won a fantastic 16 titles in a row from from 1888 to 1903.
MYTCHALL BRANSGROVE/FAIRFAX NZ
04062016. News. Picture: Mytchall Bransgrove/Timaru Herald. Timaru Boys ??? Highschool v Shirley Boys Highschool rugby held at Alpine Energy on Saturday. TBHS gamer Isireli Kawa makes a run.
Even the loss of five-time champion winning coach Nigel Walsh will likely not disrupt Celtic’s rhythm.
He has actually been designated head coach of North Otago so will invest more time south of the Waitaki.
Walsh’s replacement is previous gamer Tevita ‘Rooster’ Latu, whose just previous training experience was a bit part with Roncalli College’s First XV.
John Bisset
Safeguarding champs Celtic will once again be the group to beat.
Latu was tipped to be heading to Mackenzie, having actually likewise bet the Rams too however in the end chose Celtic.
Celtic might nevertheless deal with a test of its depth with 2 of it gamers (Willie Wright and Tom Fleming) marrying abroad mid season and taking a few of their team-mates with them.
The have actually nevertheless included tough running Roncalli No. 8 Lionel Mua to their team while Ben Watson is back from Dunedin.
Stu Piddington
South Canterbury loan gamer Kalavini Leatigaga is betting Temuka this season.
Veteran Kali Latu is back for another season and together with the prominent prop Matt Fetu and captain Nick Strachan, all of whom are opting for their ninth title.
The preliminary likewise may not inform the complete story either with a variety of sides waiting on visas for imports or gamers to show up from overseas.
There is no doubt the other clubs are closing the space however it may not remain in time to get the 2017 title.
Harlequins have actually been the bridesmaids in 6 of the 8 previous grand finals.
Gareth Citizen has actually returned in the head training function with a young Harlequins team.
Trusted objective kicker Ken Hellier has actually left however they have actually hired amazing winger Sireli Buliruarua from in 2015’s Timaru Boys’ High School First XV.
In the pack previous South Canterbury Heartland lock Sione ‘Tui” Tauelangi likewise returns and while previous his finest is still convenient.
Beaten 2016 finalists Pleasant Point will another side to see.
Point constantly have a good pack, which has actually been enhanced by the arrival of prop JP Koen, a previous Southland Stag who made a handful of looks for the Highlanders.
English backline imports Josh Walker and Don Farmer are an unidentified amount having actually simply shown up as is South Canterbury representative cricketer Tom Costley, who is changing spikes for studs.
Point have actually lost backs Shane Spiers, who has actually turned his hand to training, and the gifted Shay Moseby, who having a year off to recuperate from injuries.
They are likewise set to include New Zealand Heartland and South Canterbury captain Kieran Coll to their lineup later on in season, in time for him to certify as a regional gamer under the Heartland guidelines.
Mackenzie have actually likewise included some exceptional skill to a fairly settled team from in 2015.
The huge bonus offers are the addition of previous New Zealand Heartland gamer Jared Trevathan, who has actually returned from Perth, and previous Buller wing Setafano Sauqaqa, who is more than convenient and suggestions the scales at over 100kg.
Wing Iosefo Senibua (Petero) has actually likewise made the relocation from Old Kids to the Rams to join his bro Sauqaqa.
The essential loss was Raitube Matanabua to a knee injury got at club 7s.
Temuka have actually stayed similar however have actually included some experience and one speedster to their backline.
Previous South Canterbury captain Tristram Johnston is rebounding out of retirement at 34, while Michael Reihana, who played centre for South Canterbury in 2006, is back from Australia.
The big win nevertheless is Heartland loan gamer, wing Kalavini Leatigaga, who has actually moved south from Linwood.
His rate and capability to beat a challenger will definitely include some effect out large.
Fijian wing Rupeni Cokanasiga nevertheless stays in doubt having had his leg re-broken last season.
The secret for Temuka will be to round off the huge video games and not lose their method versus the lower opposition.
Geraldine and Old Boys appear like the 2 groups with the most to do, while Waimate have actually been struck by some huge losses
Waimate have actually lost 4 South Canterbury gamers with prop Connor McCormack not returning from Ireland, midfielder Jarred Matthews hurt, lock Don Lolo has actually vacated the district and halfback Theo Davidson overseas.
A number from their senior B side haved stepped up to offer the side a young feel, while Will Saulala’s relocation from North Otago is a bonus offer.
Old Kids will have a regional feel to their group having actually chosen versus bringing an any imported gamers.
The Blues will discover it hard nevertheless having actually lost some essential play makers from last season.
The loose forwards trio of Taione Ratu, Danny Wilson and Pangi Iketau are accompanied very first 5 Tyrone Hill and Petero.
On the favorable side of the journal Scott McAuley is back after betting the West Coast Heartland group.
The hard No. 8 is signed up with by English prop Luke Haslam in the pack, while previous captain Ben Rawcliffe likewise returns after a number of seasons off.
Geraldine in the primary are counting on young gamers stepping up to play senior ruby.
Winger Ravi Arau’ jo has actually returned from Brazil and energy back Reuben Fisher has actually likewise signed up with the Magpies.
The huge benefit is the arrival of loose forward BJ Oliver from Mackenzie while Radical Beckham is an appealing hooker who has actually moved south from Northland.
The season will have a celebration start with all senior video games being dipped into Alpine Energy Arena.
Celtic have an interesting launch versus Mackenzie, while Temuka Pleasant Point need to be a ripper.
Harlequins will be too strong for Geraldine while the loser of the Waimate Old Boys video game is most likely in for a hard season.
New gamers to see:
JP Koen (Pleasant Point) Will include some fire power to a currently good Mud Canines front row. Has actually bet Southland Stags and a handful of video games for the Highlanders. Possibly a veteran however experience counts up front.
Sireli Buliruarua ( Harlquins) An enjoyment maker from in 2015’s Timaru Boys’ High School First XV. Buliruarua has lots of rate on the wing and the Fijian teen need to have no issues stepping up to senior rugby and an outdoors opportunity of a South Canterbury area.
Setafano Sauqaqa ( Mackenzie): Huge winger and attempt scoring maker who played over 50 video games from Buller. Sauqaqa was likewise part of Buller’s management group.
Joins his bro Iosefo Senibua ( Petero) who has actually moved from Old Kids.
Lionel Mua (Celtic): Made a huge effect for Roncalli First XV at No. 8 last season prior to breaking his arm. Can he likewise have an existence in senior rugby.
Kalavini Leatigaga ( Temuka) A loan gamer for South Canterbury last season he has actually relocated to Temuka. Leatigaga’s existence on the wing will go a long method to balance out the loss of speedster Rupeni Cokanasiga.
Scott McAuley (Old Boys): Hard-nosed loose forward who is tough to stop. Simply what the Blues required after losing a variety of loose forwards. Bet West Coast so will be a Heartland competitor.
Temuka: Brett Turner, Anam Mana, Junior Fa’avae, Vaka Taelega, Kurt Prendeville, Ben Hayes, Matt Ogg, Paula Fonokalafi ( co-captain), Keith Darby (co-captain), Jamie Callahan, Semisi Paseka, Joeli Kotobalavu, Tenari Saumani, Calab King, Tristram Johnston, Ricky Neame, Shaun Neame, Leni Tiai, Kalavini Leatigaga, CJ Millar, Eli Palmer, Jimmy Mookkaiah, Michael Reihana coaches Dave Fisher, Brendan Millar, Brendon Aitken, supervisors Terry Clarke, Adam Citizen
Celtic: Matt Fetu, Matt Stewart, Steve Burt, Attic Casey, Graison Dale, Andrew Beloved, Tom Fleming, Jarred Gilmore, Soasi Haukinima, Kali Latu, Viliame Logavatu, Jarrad Mannex, Lionel Monua, Henry Race, Zac Saunders, Hamish Strachan (vc), Nick Strachan (c), Willy Wright, Ben Watson, Cody McMinn, Foi Siena, Tayla Meager, Aiden Pye, Simon Rooney, Aiden Barnes, Kerry O’Connor, Jack Gibson, Eru Takuira- Mita, Willie Taylor, coaches: Tevita Latu, Pene Latu, supervisors Rob McCoid, Peter Cockburn, physio Mike Prendeville
Old Young Boys: Luke Haslam, Ben Rawcliffe, Robert Hough, Joey O’Loughlin, Jake Wilson, Cody Wakefield, Cory Murdoch, Kris O’Sullivan, Rob Stevens, Sam Aramoana, Zane Carey, Phillip Richardson, Scott McAuley, Glen Sturgess, Tait Chisman, Juran Moore, Ben Beard, Levi McCoy, Aden Young, Allan Ropata, Jordan Low, Tyler O’Leary, Brad Leonard, coaches Lizzard Lang, Marty Greig, supervisors Sean Piner, Greg Brosnan
Pleasant Point: Ben Hewitson (c), Alistair Brady (vc), Mana Taylor, Elwyn Herbert, Ben Groundwater, Jake Harrison, Luke Brice, Kevin Moore, Bradley Tegelaars, Aaron Geary, Maxx Morris, Joshua Craig-Bradley, Joshua Robson, Josh Sullivan, Alex Cooney, JP Koen, Tate Matson, Chris Ireland, Jack Kingsford, Darryn Bolt, Adam Beck, Josh Walker, Don Farmer, Tom Costley, coaches Kelly Walsh, supervisor Blair Sargent
Geraldine: Anthony Goad, Dan Cummings, John Graham, Manu Peckham, Andy Ewart, Radical Beckham, Craig Moore ( co-captain), Pete Saywell (co-captain), Andrew Gooden, Cameron Sullivan, Aiden Mowat-Gainsford, BJ Oliver, Blake Snow, David Melville, Ryan Neutze, Kieran Aker, Rory Vowles, Hugh Jackson, Reuben Fisher, Richard Harley, Gideon Snow, Matt Kerse, Wise Leiroti, Ravi Arau’ jo, Andrew Newark, Dan Hall, coaches: Aaron Coles, Haden Powell, Stephen Martin, supervisor Ian Kerse, Nick Hislop
Mackenzie: Aaron McCall (c), Jared Trevathan (vc), Johny Adams, Charlie Aho, Jonny Andrews, Henry Callaghan, Hayden Dwyer, George Folau, Will Green, Henry Hurst, Dewi Jones, Ata Ata Langilangi, Angus Lang, Josh Brosnahan, Ryan McNab, Josh Morton, Thomas Mulligan, Richard Nicholaison, Eifion Roberts, Samisoni Puafisi, Setefano Sauqaqa, Iosefo Pedro Senibua, Danny-Ray Waldon, George Williams, Daniel Weildraayer, coaches Hamish Johnson, Hayden Dwyer, Walker Jacobs, supervisors Andy McNab, Matt Gibbs
Waimate: Henry Bryce, Taine Tangiora, Redd Taupo, Toko Fakatava, Simon Bleeker, Rhys Payne, Nick Mercer, Loni Toumohuni, Corey Hollaster, Stefan Van Leeuwen, Tim Caird, Sam Coombs, Miles Medlicott, Will Saulala, Mosese Aho, Matt Hayman, Hayden Matthews, Jade Halkett, Man Linton, coaches Barry Caird, Kelvin Sadler, supervisors Grant Hayman, Andrew Davidson, hydration handle: Fo Tagiaia, physio Bridget Harrison
Harlequins: Timaru Tafa, Telusa Latu, Samisoni Havea, Nathan Tubb ( c), Chris McCarthy, Sione Tauelangi, Jesse McDonald, Ben Dewsbury, Kamal Tackney, Corin Miller, Max Fowler-Burgess, Solomone Cakaunitabua, Hamish Stevenson, Josateki Veikune, Lucas McRae, Buster O’Connell, Sean White, Vatiliai Tora, Sunia Vatunalagi, Roy Peters, Maile ‘ Iongi ( vc), Sireli Buliruarua, Jamie Newlands, Leone Nawalu; coaches Gareth Citizen, Vai Savieti, Brian Golding, supervisors Shane Clark, Brett Jenkins
