STAR: Inia Katia of Gladstone.
It should be business as usual for last year's Tui Cup finalists Greytown and Eketahuna, when matches in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's premier division competition kick off tomorrow.
Even a cursory glance at the respective strengths of the eight teams contesting the top grade would suggest last year's finalists will again be front-runners for the major spoils come the end of the 2014 club season.
Greytown, shooting for a third straight Tui Cup title, host a Marist side missing several first-string players, including skipper James Goodger, through injury. By contrast, Greytown will field the bulk of last year's squad and should hit the ground running.
Eketahuna have for years been known as a side with a rugged set of forwards and backs content to play second fiddle to those wearing the small numbers, but it could be a lot different this year. They have a new look rearguard exuding attacking potential and they are sure to be more adventurous in their play. Their first opponents, Carterton, are blooding several youngsters and may take a few matches to hit their straps.
A brief look at all four of tomorrow's premier division games is:
EKETAHUNA V CARTERTON, Eketahuna at 2.30pm: Eketahuna made it all the way to the Tui Cup final last season and understandably are already being touted as favourites again. With Sam Monaghan, Robbie Anderson and Paul Tikomainavalu calling the shots, they clearly have one of the most exciting backlines and they've also had the good fortune to pick up a couple of classy forwards from Bush Sports as well: Sam Marshall-Wilson and Hamish Walker. On paper, they should deal to a rebuilding Carterton squad. They will be depending hugely on the experience of Johnnie McFadzean and Blair Heming to take the battle to Eketahuna up front while a very young backline will be spearheaded by Josh Cadwallader and sevens star Daryl Pickering. Anything other than a handy win to Eketahuna would be a surprise.
GREYTOWN V MARIST, Greytown at 2.30pm: Greytown are eyeing up a three-peat in the Tui Cup and, with the bulk of last year's successful line-up back, only a brave punter would bet against them. Evergreens Norm Henrickson and Kurt Simmonds will lead a pack that looks well equipped in every department while a backline containing players of the proven calibre of Joseph Sio, Teihana Brown and the Isaac brothers, Tapaga and Tavita, has huge try-scoring potential. Marist have been decimated by injuries and are sure to improve upon anything they produce here as the season progresses. With Kieran O'Brien, Ben Couch and Rhys Severn, they have three forwards who have been there, done that and the acquisition of Michael Te Whare will add sting to their midfield. Greytown should win handsomely.
GLADSTONE V PIONEER, Gladstone at 2.30pm: Gladstone have the home advantage but they too are batting injury hassles - just getting 15 fit players on the paddock will be an achievement. The big plus for them is the return of lock Andrew McLean whose lineout skills and strong running in broken play will set the example for others to follow. Hooker Richard Puddy is a seasoned campaigner and there has been favourable comment on the promise of new openside flanker Nick Griffiths. In the backs, Inia Katia and Cameron Hayton will be the two to watch along with a newcomer from England in Sam Redmayne. Pioneer made the semis last season and are shaping well again. In Joseph Thompson, Damien Kamo-Paku and Sean Robinson, they have backs who like nothing better than to run the ball at the opposition while Nathan Rolls, Matt Kawana and Rima Marurai are among their leading lights up front. This one could go either way, but we'll plump for Pioneer, if only for the sake of argument.
MARTINBOROUGH V EAST COAST, Martinborough at 2.30pm: East Coast gave Greytown a fright in the Tui Cup semis last year and would normally be expected to begin the season with a hiss and a roar. However, losing as many as nine of last year's squad means a slower start is on the cards. Experienced duo Joe Feast and Sully Alsop and lively flanker Ben Holmes will lead a pack likely to contain several new names and, if they can attain a reasonable share of possession, then the attacking qualities of backs Nick Olson, Zeb Aporo, Byron Karaitiana and Heemi Tupaea should keep the scoreboard ticking over. It's been difficult to get much of a handle on the make-up of the Martinborough side but any team likely to have Jared Hawkins, Adam Marshall and Nathan Kapene in their pack and Cody Whittaker and Nathan Hunt in their backs should never be under-estimated. Another close finish predicted, with maybe East Coast having their noses in front when it matters most.