David Leggat runs the thumb over the chances of other teams in the provincial competition.
Premiership
Waikato
Beaten finalists last year, and expect them to again be adjacent to the action at the business end. Marty Holah is rolling back the years again, and there's a clutch of decent players dotted through their lineup, with Sitiveni Sivivatu offering potency out wide, as long as he's available. As well as the core of old stagers, keep an eye out for halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and sevens flier Declan O'Donnell. Waikato will go close again.
Bay of Plenty
One place off the top four semifinals last year, the Bay may face a battle to avoid bottom spot and an automatic drop into the championship. They've lost their pivot Mike Delany, although gifted No 8 Colin Bourke is over his lengthy shoulder rehabilitation. Jamie Nutbrown is back from an overseas stint at halfback, and former Wallaby back Steve Kefu joins the midfield.
Taranaki
Keep an eye on Beauden Barrett, the world under-20 championship-winning first five-eighths. He'll do nicely as a replacement for Willie Ripia. They will get some play out of All Blacks Andrew Hore and Jarrad Hoeata. Taranaki had bonus point issues last year - as in a lack of them. One more would have put them in the semifinals. Andre Taylor and Jayden Hayward are distinctly useful backs; Ben Souness, Jason Eaton and James Broadhurst should be influential forwards. They tend to be hard, uncompromising types so should be a chance for the top four.
Wellington
Made the semifinals before dropping 50 points to the winners. They won't see much of their All Blacks but you keep assuming the talent in the province will get them into a prominent place. A tough start - away to Taranaki, never easy, home to Auckland and Canterbury. If they're 0-from-3 forget them. Should make the top four. Winners? No.
Canterbury
The defending champs will again be there or thereabouts despite having a swag of players on All Black duty. Consider a pack containing Wyatt Crockett, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Nasi Manu and under 20-world title-winning skipper Luke Whitelock, the youngest of the prodigious family line; with Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean and Ryan Crotty in a backline likely to be run for at least part of the campaign by Colin Slade, who needs game time before the World Cup - if he makes the final cut. Also look out for Tyler Bleyendaal, captain of last year's world under-20 title winners. Bank on them for the semifinals. At least.
Southland
Finished seventh last year, although comfortably enough, to go into the premiership half. Up front they should be fine - names like Rutledge, Mackintosh, Bekhuis, Hardie and Hall won't let the show down. The backs might be an issue although Scott Cowan and James Wilson are decent performers at this level and it would be a fine time for Robbie Robinson to stamp himself on the campaign. Expect a mid-table finish as a minimum.
Championship
Northland
The Taniwha have lost propping anchor Bronson Murray and halfback Luke Hamilton, but free-running Jack McPhee has moved north from North Harbour and experienced Marty Veale has joined too. They should give a decent account of themselves, although perhaps short of finalists.
Hawkes Bay
Some familiar faces won't be around this time, such as Jason Shoemark and centurion forwards Clint Newland and Michael Johnson, and there'll be no Zac Guildford or Israel Dagg either, although Dagg might play a couple of early games, fitness permitting. Slipped to ninth last year, but have enough decent players that they should be challenging for promotion.
Manawatu
Second last in 2010, they haven't made any notable signings, and have lost useful back Hadleigh Parkes to Auckland. Much will depend on Aaron Cruden's ability to steer them round the park, and get points. There's a core of seasoned players, so they won't be a pushover and if they get on an early roll they might be worth watching at the business end.
Tasman
One of those unions who should benefit from the shorter season, which won't unduly expose a lack of depth, injuries permitting. Big forward Mark Bright returns, which is good news. They have others, such as hooker Quentin MacDonald, lock Joe Wheeler and backs such as Andrew Goodman and Robbie Malneek, who know their way around the park. Watch out for fullback Tom Marshall, who had a fine campaign for the Crusaders.
Otago
Otago in the second tier? Believe it. Last night's game against North Harbour will give an early indication of how their season might go. They have veterans Tony Brown and Ben Atiga in the backs, Kees Meeuws up front, and have acquired Buxton Popali'i and Daniel Ramsey from Wellington, and Sam Giddens from Hawkes Bay. They should certainly be finalists. At least.
