ROTOITI
2013 coach: Kevin Lee
2012 premier finish: (12-8), 2nd
Points for: 550
Points against: 428
Player gains: Arapo Whata, Scott Bogun
Player losses: Wayne Ormond, Joe Gotz, Joe Fenton, Kevin Guptil, Sigfried Fisiihoi, Rob McCann, William Royal, Luke Cassidy
Last year's surprise finalists, who tipped over the more fancied Tauranga Sports 13-10 in one of last year's semifinals, will open their campaign away against Whakarewarewa.
The loss of former Steamers captain Wayne Ormond will be felt, with Whaka's coach last year Kevin Lee taking over. It will be interesting to see if he can lift the team to the lofty heights of last season. Jesse Acton has returned to lead the team for a second season.
TAURANGA SPORTS
2013 coach: Mike Rogers
2012 premier finish: (13-3-3), 3rd
Points for: 788
Points against: 305
Player gains: Mitch Greenway
Player losses: Jeremy Cave
The Tauranga side will be out to exorcise some demons after succumbing 13-10 to beaten finalists Rotoiti in one of last year's semifinals. They travel away to Greerto in a positive mood after a strong pre-season boosted by a reported improvement in depth.
OPOTIKI SPORTS
2013 coach: Mike Smith
2012 premier finish: (9-2-8), 4th
Points for: 500
Points against: 354
Player gains: Hamu Hudson
Player losses: Minimal
Opotiki lost 36-12 to eventual champions Te Puke Sports in the semifinals last year, so will be looking at going at least one better this year. The side beat Rangataua 43-5 in round three and 28-10 in round 12 last season, so will be looking for a win at home tomorrow.
TE PUNA
2013 coach: Vaughan Bidois
2012 premier finish: (9-1-8), 5th
Points for: 512
Points against: 448
Player gains: Courtney Mita, Paul Tietjens, Ben Diamond, Quentin Gardiner
Player losses: Pomare Pearson
Te Puna narrowly missed the playoffs last year despite finishing on the same number of points as beaten semifinalists Opotiki Sports. They travel to meet a Mount Maunganui side whichhad an identical win/loss record last year, in an opening round cracker at Blake Park.
MOUNT MAUNGANUI
2013 coach: Rodney Voullaire
2012 premier finish: (9-1-8), 6th
Points for: 429
Points against: 342
Player gains: David Smart, Sam Gavigan, Johan Bardoul, Karl Perrett, Ryan Wilson, Mark Hodson, Mike Autridge, Logan Walsh, Nik Dyer, Adam McGarvey
Player losses: Warren Smith, Marty Bourke, Mata McGrath
The Mount, with a new coaching staff and inflated pre-season training numbers, play at home to a Te Puna side that beat them 19-23 at home and 36-22 away last season.
WHAKAREWAREWA
2013 coach: Maurice Stone
2012 premier finish: (7-3-8), 7th
Points for: 437
Points against: 514
Player gains: Pomare Pirini, Stefan Squire, Matthew Cuming, Dave Marinkovich, Bruro Kairaoi, Scott Mayhew, James O'Neill, Ricci Herbig, Steven Schenk, Henry Kershaw
Player losses: Caleb Ralph, Willie Ripia, Tyson Repia, Harold Koia, Rawiri Tapiata, Theo Heta, Tony Tataurangi, Shaqulle Stone, Cedric Carston, Courtney Mita, Aliki Kisina
A new coach, some new faces and a new hunger. Whaka supporters were upset with where the team finished last year. However, the team looked dangerous in the Rotorua pre-season competition winning the Banner final. Under Stone's guidance the team appear to have strengthened the scrum and lineout.
GREERTON MARIST
2013 coach: Kane Parker
2012 premier finish: (4-1-13), 8th
Points for: 418
Points against: 678
Player gains: Andrew Hill, Kalem Chan-Boon, Troy Callander, Tim O'Malley, John Bosco Tagaloa, Joe Key, Matt Ropoama, Mike Bradshaw
Player losses: Karl Perrott
After staving off relegation during a promising season last year, the junior rugby powerhouse will attempt to make an impression in their second year amongst the big boys.
They host Tauranga Sports, which won last year's two meetings by a combined 79 points, in round one.
RANGATAUA
2013 coach: Paul Pou
2012 premier finish: (4-1-13), 9th
Points for: 315
Points against: 697
Player gains: Minimal
Player losses: Jason Hona, Adam McGarvey, Quentin Gardiner
Fixing defensive frailties will be top of the agenda for a side that conceded the most points last season.
An away game against an Opotiki side that comfortably won both fixtures last year should provide a decent indicator of where the side is at.
PAROA
2013 coach: George Harawira
2012 premier finish: (17-1-2) Division one champions
Points for: 772
Points against: 230
Player gains: Christian Wetting, Mark Berry
Player losses: Minimal
The promoted division one side of last season play away the defending champs away at Murray Salt Stadium. The newcomers will have a point to prove after winning promotion last year due to scoring first in added time. Rumours abound that Jason Hona might ply his trade for the new side this year.
BAYWIDE RUGBY ROUND 1
(All games to start at 2.45pm on Saturday March 23)
Premier:
Greerton Marist v Tauranga Sports (Greerton Park 1)
Mount Maunganui v Te Puna (Blake Park 1)
Sports Opotoki v Rangataua (Princess Street Reserve 1)
Te Puke Sports v Paroa (Murray Salt Stadium 1)
Whakarewarewa v Rotoiti (Puarenga Park 1)
Division one: (All games to start at 2.45pm on march 23)
Ngongotaha Div 1 v Ruatoki Div 1 (Ngongotaha Domain 1)
Poroporo Div 1 v Te Teko Div 1 (Poroporo Park 1)
Rangiuru Snr A v Marist St. Michaels Div 1 (Centenial Park 1)
Waikite Div 1 v Kahukura Div 1 (Bellvue Road 1)
Whakatane Marist Div 1 v Katikati Div 1 (Rugby Park 2)
WBOP Local senior competition:
Greerton Marist Snr B v Tauranga Sports Sen B (Greerton Park 1 - 1pm)
Matakana v Judea Snr (Matakana Island 1 - 1pm)
Mount Maunganui Snr B v Te Puna Snr B (Blake Park 1 - 1pm)
Rangiuru Snr B v Rangataua Snr B (Oval 3 - 1pm)
Te Puke Snr B v Eastern Districts Snr (Murray Salt Stadium 1 - 1pm)
Papamoa Snr v Arataki Snr (Gordon Spratt Reserve 1 - 2.45pm)
