Rugby: Rotorua fields two strong contenders

Tomorrow sees the start of the Baywide rugby season. The Rotorua Daily Post senior sports reporter Greg Taipari takes a look at the Rotorua teams competing in this year's competition.

Premier Division

There are only two Rotorua sides competing in the premier division but both sides have the potential to go all the way. Whakarewarewa have looked the most promising with the side having two big wins over Waikite then Rotoiti.

But if last season proved anything Rotoiti are the dark horse in the premier division, with the help of Wayne Ormond and his senior players they led the team all the way to the finals.

However, both sides have some strong competition with Te Puke and Tauranga Sports again looking ominous. Opotiki were always hard to beat at home and Te Puna made a late bid in the final rounds to almost grab a finals spot. It could be a baptism of fire for the new kids on the block, Paroa. However, they showed in their Baywide final last year they are a team who never gives up.

Rotoiti 2013

Coach: Kevin Lee

2012 Premier finish: Second

Player Gains: Arapo Whata, Scott Bogun.

Player losses: Wayne Ormond, Kevin Guptil, Sigfried Fisiihoi, Joe Gotz, Joe Fenton, Rob McCann, William Royal, Luke Cassidy.

Last year Rotoiti took a bunch of no names and turned them into a winning combination going all the way to the grand final. Most of this can be contributed to their inspirational player coach at the time, Wayne Ormond. The former Steamers captain has moved on and the role has been taken up by Whaka's coach last year, Kevin Lee. 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.

Whakarewarewa 2013

Coach: Maurice Stone

2012 Premier finish: Seventh

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. It would be an understatement to say 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 their frailties at scrum time and in the lineout.

Division One

There are four Rotorua teams vying for the right to move up to premier division - Kahukura, Marist St Michael's, Ngongotaha and Waikite.

Rangiuru are the bench mark for this division last year they were the team to beat but were knocked over by Paroa in extra time of the division one final. They won't look to make that mistake again but have teams like Te Teko and Whakatane Marist who can hurt you along with the four Rotorua teams.

Kahukura 2013

Coach: Murray McGregor

2012 Division One finish: Third

With a new coach comes new ideas. The Kuirau Park giants showed plenty of promise last year but fell short at the last hurdle. Under the guidance of McGregor, Kahukura are a proud club who will look to build on the work put in by last season's coach former Steamers player Charlie Hubbard.

Marist St Michael's 2013

Coach: Joe McClutchie

2012 Division One finish: Seventh

Another side who showed glimpses of what they can do but didn't reach their potential. The side will be disappointed with their bottom four finish but it's a new season and all it takes is a couple of wins to get momentum flowing in their favour.

Ngongotaha 2013

Coach: John Moore

If Ngongotaha has one thing going for them it's their coach, former Steamers lock John Moore. His never give up professional attitude will be a strong factor in his team's success this year. The side finished fifth equal with Whakatane Marist. Moore will be expecting more from his team this season and anything less than a top four finish from this side will a disappointment.

Waikite 2013

Coach: Charles Te Kowhai

2012 Premier finish: last

Last year was a huge disappointment for the proud club which has a long history of high achievement. The club has a new coach and a bench stacked full of young new players. Only five players remain from last season. It's a rebuilding year for the yellow and blacks. But under Te Kowhai's guidance the club will look to break back into the premier division as soon as possible.