...the biggest game this weekend it could be argued is between last years finalists Tasman and Canterbury....Mainlanders the favourites to take out the comp again this year...Goes along way to explaining why the Crusaders are so strong when you consider the strength of the regions rugby from grassroots level up...
"The dominance of the red and blacks has now become so commanding that they have won nine of the past 10 titles, and again go into this year as even money favourites with the TAB"
All the Mitre 10 Squads
NORTH HARBOUR
DAVID ROWLAND/PHOTOSPORTNorth Harbour will be looking to build on a decent 2017 season, where they ran Canterbury close in a semifinal.Last year: Semifinalists
SQUAD: Forwards: James Parsons, Luteru Tolai, Chris Eves, Lua Li, Sione Mafileo, Nic Mayhew, Mike Tamoaieta, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Danny Drake, Ben Nee-Nee, Jacob Pierce, James Fiebig, Dillon Hunt, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Glenn Preston, Murphy Taramai, Sione Teu. Backs: Lewis Gjaltema, Bryn Hall, Jack Bergin, Bryn Gatland, Harrison Groundwater, Daniel Hilton-Jones, Loketi Manu, Mark Telea, Matt Duffie, James Dargaville, Tevita Li, Shaun Stevenson.
Coach: Tom Coventry (second season)
TAB odds: $10
Look out for: James Dargaville. The 26-year-old winger is moving on from the Brumbies Super Rugby club after four seasons, and after featuring in just three matches for them this year, he'll be keen on stretching the legs out on the New Zealand domestic scene, with the former Australia Under-20 rep too add to some already dangerous Harbour outsides.
AUCKLAND
FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGESAuckland will be desperate to put some underperforming seasons behind them.Last year: Sixth
SQUAD: Forwards: Robbie Abel, Mike Sosene, Leif Schwencke, Sam Prattley, Jarred Adams, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Marco Fepulea'i, Marcel Renata, Taniela Koroi, Ofa Tuungafasi, Michael Fatialofa, Jamie Lane, Jack Whetton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Faatiga Lemalu, Dalton Papalii, Lyndon Dunshea, Blake Gibson, Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Taleni Seu, Hoskins Sotutu, Evan Olmstead, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa. Backs: Jonathan Ruru, Leon Fukofuka, Desma Liaina, Harry Plummer, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jacob Umaga, TJ Faiane, Tanielu Tele'a, Tumua Manu, Melani Nanai, Joe Ravouvou, Salesi Rayasi, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Jordan Trainor.
Coach: Alama Ieremia (first season)
TAB odds: $12
Look out for: Evan Olmstead. The Canadian international will add some size, physicality and experience in a lock/flanker role, after shifting from English club Newcastle. The 27-year-old was born in Canada, but raised in Australia and played for the Parramatta Two Blues in Sydney's Shute Shield competition, before signing in 2016 with London Scottish, then moving to the Falcons. Olmstead made his international debut in 2015 and has gone on to play 24 tests, including five this year.
COUNTIES MANUKAU
PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGESCounties Manukau are the big outsiders at the TAB for the Premiership division.Last year: Fifth
SQUAD: Forwards: Joseph Royal, Gafatasi Su'a, Suetana Asomua, Sean Bagshaw, Nepo Laulala, Howard Sililoto, Coree Te Whata-Colley, Kalolo Tuiloma, Daymon Leasuasu, Matiaha Martin, Viliame Rarasea, Sam Henwood, Dan Hyatt, Fotu Lokotui, Matthew Vaai, Sikeli Nabou, Kieran Read, Viliami Taulani. Backs: Liam Daniela, Siaosi Nginingini, Jonathan Taumateine, Latiume Fosita, Luteru Laulala, Nigel Ah Wong, Sam Furniss, Obyn Leger, Cardiff Vaega, Sonny Bill Williams, Kalione Hala, Sione Fifita, Toni Pulu, Sione Molia, Tevita Nabura, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Te Aihe Toma.
Coach: Darryl Suasua (third season)
TAB odds: $26
Look out for: Etene Nanai-Seturo. The 18-year-old, who was at the centre of the NZ Rugby-Warriors tug-of-war earlier this year, will make his provincial debut this season. Having shown some dazzling touches with the New Zealand seven's team in 2018, the silky fullback will now be looking to build on that back in 15s, having been a star at St Kentigern College.
TARANAKI
KAI SCHWOERER/GETTY IMAGESTaranaki hold the Ranfurly Shield, after stunning Canterbury with a big comeback last year.Last year: Semifinalists
SQUAD: Forwards: Donald Maka, Ricky Riccitelli, Bradley Slater, Chris Gawler, Mitchell Graham, Scott Mellow, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Proffit, Asaeli Sorovaki, Kyle Stewart, Angus Ta'avao, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Croswell, Fin Hoeata, Jarrad Hoeata, Jack Jordan, Leighton Price, Kane Thompson, Tupou Vaai, Lachlan Boshier, Tom Florence, Toa Halafihi, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Adrian Wyrill. Backs: Logan Crowley, Brendon Leonard, Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Ciarahn Matoe, Marty McKenzie, Stephen Perofeta, Jayson Potroz, Daniel Waite, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, Tehorangi Walden, Jordie Barrett, Avon Lewis, Manasa Mataele, Kiniviliame Naholo, Waisake Naholo, Latu Vaeno, Beaudein Waaka.
Coach: Willie Rickards (first season)
TAB odds: $6.50
Look out for: Kiniviliame Naholo. He might be the brother of All Blacks flyer Waisake Naholo, but this winger comes with his own impressive pedigree, heading into his first season of Mitre 10 Cup. The 19-year-old scored a remarkable 40 tries in 20 games last year for the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV, and has already dotted down three times in 60 minutes across the two pre-season Ranfurly Shield defences.
WELLINGTON
MARTY MELVILLE/PHOTOSPORTWellington are back in the top division after claiming the Championship crown last year.Last year: Winners of Championship, promoted
SQUAD: Forwards: Leni Apisai , Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, James O'Reilly, Tolu Fahamokioa, Alex Fidow, Joel Hintz, Xavier Numia, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Tietie Tuimauga, James Blackwell, Sam Lousi, Will Mangos, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Vaea Fifita, Greg Foe, Mateaki Kafatolu, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, Galu Taufale, Thomas Waldrom. Backs: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, TJ Perenara, Carlos Price, Sheridan Rangihuna, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Pakai Turia, TJ Va'a, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Billy Proctor, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Losi Filipo, Ben Lam, Trent Renata, Malo Tuitama.
Coach: Chris Gibbes (second season)
TAB odds: $4.50
Look out for: Dane Coles. Having not played for nine months due to knee and calf injuries, the 31-year-old has been included in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad but is set to get back into the swing of things on the provincial scene in coming weeks. With South Africa's Malcolm Marx now effectively laying claim to being the world's best hooker, 56-test veteran Coles has ground to make up, but will certainly just be content with lacing up the boots as a start.
TASMAN
HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGESTasman have been in three of the last four finals after making their way up to the Premiership.Last year: Runners-up
SQUAD: Forwards: Vernon Fredericks, Andrew Makalio, Ray Niuia, Ryan Coxon, Wyatt Crockett, Kane Hames, Tyrel Lomax, Tim Perry, Blair Prinsep, Isaac Salmon, Alex Ainley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Jed Brown, Shannon Frizell, Sione Havili, Liam Squire, Jordan Taufua. Backs: Finlay Christie, Billy Guyton, Mitchell Hunt, Tim O'Malley, Levi Aumua, Alex Nankivell, Rupena Parkinson, David Havili, Solomon Alaimalo, Leicester Faingaanuku, Tima Faingaanuku, Will Jordan.
Coach: Leon MacDonald (third season)
TAB odds: $6.50
Look out for: Kane Hames. The Chiefs loosehead prop spent the entire Super Rugby season on the sidelines due to an ongoing concussion issue, but could be in line to return to the fold at some stage during the domestic campaign. After winning a debut for the All Blacks in 2016 then adding eight caps to his name last year, the 29-year-old will be keen on showing he still has what it takes to push back into the international frame.
CANTERBURY
CHRIS SYMES/PHOTOSPORTIt's been the ever-familiar sight - Canterbury celebrating their championship status.Last year: Winners
SQUAD: Forwards: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Codie Taylor, Nathan Vella, Sef Fa'agase, Owen Franks, Alex Hodgman, Oliver Jager, Chris King, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Joe Moody, Siate Tokolahi, Hamish Dalzell, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Tom Christie, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Billy Harmon, Reed Prinsep, Tom Sanders, Luke Whitelock. Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Ereatara Enari, Brett Cameron, Richie Mo'unga, Sam Beard, Phil Burleigh, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, Caleb Makene, Josh McKay, Ngane Punivai.
Coach: Joe Maddock (first season)
TAB odds: $2
Look out for: Sef Fa'agase. The 27-year-old Auckland-born prop, who can play both sides of the scrum, has been in Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds since 2015. But after nine appearances off the bench this season, the man who was part of the Wallabies' extended training squad for the Rugby Championship last year will be hungry for more game time in a quality competition.
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