KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand Cup premiership teams at a glance:
AUCKLAND
NPC Champions: 1982; 84-85; 87-90; 93-96; 99; 2002-03; 05.
2006: Semifinals
Coach: Pat Lam
Prospects: Auckland will be looking to settle their loose forward combination of Angus Macdonald, Daniel Braid and Jerome Kaino to gain control of second phase play. Still smarting from basic errors that set them back last season, Auckland will be a strong contender for the final. Steve Devine will be key to firing the backline. Ben Atiga at centre is in good form and will be the one to set up the high scoring David Smith on the wing. Experience oozes from the core line up with players like Braid, Devine, Atiga and Bradley Mika. John Afoa is one of the hardest props around. All in all Auckland is a closely knit team that could well carve open the competition this year.
BAY OF PLENTY
NPC Champions: 1976
2006: Quarterfinals
Coach: Kevin Schuler
Prospects: Moulding together a strong forward pack and maintaining consistency will be the challenge for the fast-breaking side. Culum Retallick and Johnny Moore, who had an impressive season last year, are the new locking combination with second phase cover in the hands of NZ Maori players Tanerau Latimer and Warren Smith, the latter outstanding in the Churchill Cup. Chiefs prop Ben Castle will be the experienced hand to direct activities from the front row. Murray Williams has gained strength and will help stabilise the backline while former loose forward Jason Hona steps up on the wing. Always a contender to upset predictions and should be watched.
CANTERBURY
NPC Champions: 1977; 83; 97; 2001; 04.
2006: Quarterfinals
Coach: Rob Penney
Prospects: Staying the distance should not be a problem, with their bevy of younger players offering a robust choice of enthusiasm and talent. Players in the mould of Isaac Ross, Kieran Read and Michael Paterson have developed into Super 14 talent following their introduction to Canterbury last season. Mose Tuial'i will be the anchor in the loose forward trio while captain Corey Flynn will be propped by Wyatt Crockett and Campbell Johnstone, adding vital strength to the scrum. The midfield will feature the mercurial Tim Bateman, who has vital attacking potential. Penney has shown he is adept at instilling confidence in his young talent, making Canterbury a strong contender for a place in the finals.
COUNTIES-MANUKAU
NPC Champions: 1979.
2006: 3rd repechage A
Coach: Kevin Putt
Prospects: Stand a better chance of consolidating their forward play and utilising the potential of their midfield backs this year. Players in the mould of Niva Ta'auso and NZ under 19 player Male Sa'u have matured and will be looking for prompt service from a refreshed inside combination likely to include halfback Kane Hancy and Tanner Vili, the former Manu Samoa first five-eighth who returned from Japan. Steelers wing Lelia Masaga, fresh from a try scoring bonanza in Super 14 rugby, is also back providing valuable experience and flair. Coach Kevin Putt will be looking for a big effort in the forwards where Kristian Ormsby was the stand out player last season, strongly supported by James Maher. Ormsby is back this time with former Chiefs lock Dave Duley and Andrew van der Heijden and promising prop Sekope Kepu, who broadened his experience in the Chiefs training squad and New Zealand Colts.
HAWKE'S BAY
NPC, second division winners: 1979; 88-90; 2001-03; 05.
2006: 2nd repechage A
Coach: Peter Russell
Prospects: Picking a place in the quarterfinals is a reflection of the confidence of new coach Peter Russell who is moulding a side with experience and drive to improve on last year. Blues and Highlanders player Jason Shoemark, back after a neck injury, and former Brumbies utility Ben Batger will lend experience to the backline, while New Zealnd under-19 winger Zac Guildford has the pace needed to take advantage of any opportunity offered. Tasman transferee George Naoupu will work with former Otago and Highlanders forward Grant Webb in the loose. Consolidation of the scrummaging is likely to rest with Clint Newland, Lua Lokotui and Michael Johnson. Captain Danny Lee will be the linking pivot to mould a team that is hoping to present a credible challenge for the Cup.
MANAWATU
NPC champions: 1980.
2006: 4th repechage A
Coach: Dave Rennie
Prospects: This year should be one of opportunity with inspiration from the focus of lock Hayden Trigg (NZ Army) and newcomer in James Goode (Cardiff Blues) who is likely to lock with Trigg. James Sua (Queensland) will be vying for a place in the loose forwards alongside captain Josh Bradnock and the talented Nick Crosswell. There were plenty of moments when Manawatu fired in the last cup series with players like fullback Francisco Bosch providing dash with substance. But there were too few opportunities for the three quarter set, including 19-year-old Andre Taylor. This year coach Dave Rennie has bolstered his forward pack and is looking for extra space to allow his backline to work.
NORTH HARBOUR
NPC second division winners: 1987.
2006: Quarterfinalists
Coach: Wayne Pivac
Prospects: North Harbour will be one to watch with coach Wayne Pivac introducing a mix and match approach to building a strong team. Gone are some of the old guard and new combinations are to be tested, including a possible backline with three brothers -- Ken, George and Tusi Pisi. They are likely to be joined by New Zealand Colt Tom Chamberlain and hooker Tom McCartney to inject a potential to surprise. Rudi Wulf, Zar Lawrence and Anthony Tuitavake will provide experience. There is a lot of interest in the forward pack with Chris Smith likely to be put to the test after leading New Zealand under-19. Nick Williams is the leader of the pack. He has shown the leadership style and try scoring ability Pivac is seeking to take his side to the top.
NORTHLAND
NPC Second division winners: 1977, 1997.
2006: 2nd repechage B.
Coach: Marc Anscombe
Prospects: Competition for a place in the team has added a new edge to their preparation. Scraping through with tail end wins last season, Northland have a difficult task ahead. The side have been bolstered by Blues players David Holwell and Justin Collins. Brad Taylor and Dan Goodwin are likely to be retained at lock. New midfield players Leo Taliu and Mike Davis will be called on to open the way for winger Fetu Vainikolo, who has the ability to score tries from the slightest opportunity. He was the dominant try scorer in club rugby. Determination will be the key.
OTAGO
NPC Champions: 1991; 98.
2006: Semifinalists
Coach: Steve Martin
Prospects: A tough attitude is a key ingredient in the eyes of their coach. Martin has new combinations to build into a solid forward pack, with the new first five-eighth likely to be the experienced Charlie Hore, replacing All Black Nick Evans. Aaron Bancroft and Matt Saunders are being tuned for the midfield while shining talent on the wing Karne Hesketh is expected to impress along with Glen Horton. Lock Tom Donnelly continues to impress in the lineout and will be joined by Uili Kolo'ofai and Wellington's Ross Kennedy. New Zealand Colts captain George Whitelock will put some zing into the loose forwards alongside the experienced Craig Newby.
SOUTHLAND
NPC second division winners, 1989; 94; 96.
2006: Quarterfinalists
Coach: David Henderson/Simon Culhane
Prospects: Southlanders are the least likely to gush over their team but with the prospect of oil in the southern basin there is new optimism about their chances. Scoring points has been a major focus in their build-up. Building their game on a forward pack that includes props Jamie Mackintosh and Clarke Dermody and hard-working loose forward Tim Boys, back from injury, Southland will command a fair share of possession. Jason Kawau and James Wilson of the Highlanders, NZ Maori midfielder Pehi Te Whare and first five-eighth Blair Stewart provide substance in the backline. They will set the play for the attacking guile of Watisoni Lotawa, Kendrick Lynn and Willie Rickards.
TARANAKI
NPC second division winners: 1976; 82-85; 92; 95.
2006: 3rd repechage B
Coach: Kieran Crowley
Prospects: Climb every mountain could be the theme for Taranaki as they try to build winning form into a team who were competitive in 2006, but seldom won. A psychological and physical anchor for the forward pack, Paul Tito, has gone. Craig Clarke has joined from Canterbury in a bid to gain recognition as a lock who can win ball and put power into the scrummaging. He will be an able partner for Jarrad Hoeta who kept Taranaki competitive with his control of loose play. Tony Penn is another stable forward at prop. Taranaki have substance and could well squelch their critics.
TASMAN
New team last year from the amalgamation of Marlborough and Nelson Bays.
2006: 4th repechage B
Coach: Dennis Brown
Prospects: New Zealand Sevens player Afeleke Pelenise could help Tasman keep the sun shining this year. There is a vibrance in the camp with youthful athletes in the mould of Kade Poki, from New Zealand under-19. Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has been honing his skills in Crusaders' wider squad training group while there is optimism that first five-eighth Tim Taylor can direct the backline efforts. The forward pack is well balanced with speed and power in the loose where Jonathon Poff excelled alongside captain Alex Ainley while Peter Nixon (Canterbury) will add further depth.
WAIKATO
Champions: 1992, 2006.
Coach: Warren Gatland
Prospects: Have solid maturity in a forward pack that exudes confidence and aiming to win another title this year. Gatland has a bevy of class loose forwards, among them Marty Holah, Liam Messam, Sione Lauaki and Steven Bates. Power scrummager Aled de Malmanche is part of a strong frontrow with Nathan White, Craig West and captain Tom Willis. Hooker Ken Kamo is a newcomer. The backline features youth and talent -- Junior All Blacks first five-eighth Stephen Donald, New Zealand Colts five-eighth Willie Ripia and halfback David Bason among them. Coupled with a sound forward foundation and strong defence, Waikato have the resources to mount another powerful assault this season.
WELLINGTON
NPC Champions: 1978; 81; 86; 2000.
2006: Runnersup
Coach: Aussie McLean
Prospects: McLean has a sound forward pack and a backline with scoring ability. First five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth looked well in command of his backline during the pre-season matches. Tana Umaga will be back for a short period before departing for a rugby director's role in France. Tane Tu'ipulotu has got a good grip on the midfield while Hosea Gear and Cory Jane showed in the Super 14 the danger they pose to any defence. Halfback Alby Mathewson continues to improve and in the forwards Bernie Upton will be looked to for lineout possession. Wellington will be in the jostle for a semifinal spot.
- NZPA
