Rotoiti's new look team face an unknown foe in the opening game of the Baywide Premier tomorrow.
The local side, under the new coaching of William Royal and Richard Francis this season, take on newly promoted Poroporo at Emery Park on Saturday.
It's a tricky first test for Rotoiti and a challenging year lies ahead following the loss of a number of influential players including captain Zac Hohneck, Steamers and Maori All Blacks hooker Joe Royal and halfback Logan Henry after finishing fourth in the premier last season.
But William Royal insisted his side are in a "good place" despite losing to fierce rivals Whakarewarewa in the pre-season Central Bay of Plenty final last weekend in an error-riddled match.
Rotoiti are bolstered by the inclusion of Bay of Plenty academy players - halfback Te Ra Whata, first five Tame Curtis and hooker Raniera Whakataka and will be captained by experienced lock Bayden Wardlaw.
"We haven't nailed down all our combinations yet and there is still time to make changes to the team," he said. "This isn't a bad thing - I want everyone competing for their place. This is pinned as a must win game and we need to take advantage of it being at home.
"Poroporo are an unknown and we don't have a lot of information about them. That makes them dangerous. We've been working on our all round game. I don't expect handling to be a problem like last week."
Poroporo join the premier following a successful 2016 campaign, finishing third, and will be looking to cement their place alongside a number of established premier clubs.
"We'll be going out there to play as hard as we can and try and implement our systems correctly," Poroporo head coach Ed Maui said. "We will treat Rotoiti like any other game, it's going to be tough but we have to prepare as best we can and see where that takes us. If we get it right we may come up with a scalp."
Meanwhile, a tough looking Whaka, under head coach Joe Savage, are aiming to stamp their authority early on in the competition when they take on Te Puna at Puarenga Park.
Maake Taulahi
The red and black men go into the game on the back of a strong pre-season including a dominant 24-5 win over Rotoiti last weekend that saw them retain the Tai Mitchell Shield and Rotorua Banner.
Whaka, who finished runners up in the Baywide premier 2 competition last season, have a few new faces in their ranks, including former Hawke's Bay Mitre 10 Cup player Matt Garland, and will be captained by lock David Marinkovich.
Te Puna, fifth placed finishers in the premier last year, also had a strong pre-season and welcomed the inclusion of some new faces including Bay of Plenty Academy players Rewita Biddle and Will Ngatai. But the side have lost experienced halfback Te Aihe Toma along with Tana Tuhakaraina and Rob Dunne.
"We are looking to improve on previous performances - especially looking at clearing out the rucks better and coming up with better tactics," Savage said. "I've set an aim of finishing in the top two of this round so it's very important we set a precedent early on. We want to be a formidable side this season, win all our home matches and dominate in key areas each game."
Bay of Plenty rugby union Premier and Premier Development fixtures: (Premier Development kick-off 1pm / Premier kick-off 2:45pm)
Saturday 18 March - Week 1
Rotoiti v Poroporo, Emery Park Whakarewarewa v Te Puna, Puarenga Park Arataki v Tauranga Sports, Arataki Park Rangataua v Mount Maunganui, Te Ariki Park Paroa v Whakatane Marist, Lawson Park Te Puke Sports v Greerton Marist, Murray Salt
