It may be the first round of Baywide rugby but the top four teams from last year go head-to-head in a titanic battle tomorrow.
Defending Baywide champions Te Puke Sports travel to Blake Park and square off against Mount Maunganui. In a repeat of last year's semifinal. Sports will be looking to start their season off with a win. In last year's semi Sport prevailed by a solitary point, winning 20-19, after trailing by nine points at the halftime break.
Five times Baywide champion Tauranga Sports will have revenge on their mind when they meet Whakarewarewa at Puarenga Park in Rotorua.
Six tries and 22 points from the boot of Whaka kicking machine Kelly Haimona, resulted in the Rotorua side reaching the Baywide final, when they defeated top qualifier Tauranga Sports 52-30 at the Tauranga Domain.
Although the Kevin Lee-coached side don't have the services of Haimona, they have a handy running first-five in Tyson Ripia who will be keen to get his backs firing.
Longtime Western Bay rivals Rangataua and Te Puna will square off at Rangataua headquarters.
Recent encounters between the two sides have been close affairs with no more than a couple of points separating the two sides.
Rotoiti, who won the Rotorua Banner last weekend, will engage in a local derby with Waikite at Emery Park. The lakesiders are a team to watch out for this season and showed in their game against Whaka, they are not a team who get intimidated easily and are happy to take on any side up front.
However, Waikite will be happy if Rotoiti try taking them on up the middle.
The Rotorua side have shown they love to try and grind a side down before using their backs.
In the other premier game, Opotiki host premier newcomers Greerton Marist in the Eastern Bay.
The Division One opening round sees Te Teko, who were beaten by Greerton Marist in the Division One title decider last season, play fellow Eastern Bay side Whakatane Marist. Both sides are sure to be taking aim at the title for contrasting reasons. Te Teko will want to go one better this season and move up into the premier division, while Whakatane Marist was relegated from the premier ranks at the end of last season.
Other Division One games see Marist St Michaels host Poroporo in Rotorua, Ruatoki who regained a Division One place when Katikati withdrew will meet Ngongotaha, Paroa will be at home to Rangiuru with Reporoa hosting Kahukura.
Age Group Rugby is alive and well in the Bay of Plenty with 13 teams kicking off in the Baywide Colts competition.