They certainly did, scoring just 16 tries in eight Heartland games, with no bonus points for four tries. To that end, Roe says there is a new look to the backline, with just three returning from 2014. One of the rookies is an exciting young wing out of the COBRAS club, Tyrone Keith, while second five Moss Doran brings the experience of 23 games for Poverty Bay and a good finish to his club season to the Swamp Foxes. Prop Keti Tu'ungafasi, one of the numerous Tu'ungafasi tribe, can play either side of the scrum, and will come off the bench in this first game.
There are a smattering of loan players, mostly from Hamilton. Roe was more than happy to see one of the 2014 loaners, halfback Richard Judd, make a good fist of his Counties Manukau debut in the ITM Cup last weekend.
Strangely, all of Thames Valley's home games will be played at Paeroa Domain, which has had a lot of work done to it. There will be no fixtures for Te Aroha's Boyd Park and Thames' Rhodes Park.
Wairarapa-Bush have enjoyed a busier pre-season than Thames Valley, and they acquitted themselves very well for the opening 40 minutes of their 58-7 Ranfurly Shield defeat by Hawke's Bay last month. They are coached by former St Kentigern First XV coach Josh Syms. They will have the novelty of playing a Saturday rep game under lights (August 29 v North Otago) at their revamped Memorial Park, which now has an artificial turf.
King Country, who qualified fifth last season but bowed out in the Lochore Cup semis, make a trip to Buller, where they will face, inevitably, Almanack player of the year, flanker Luke Brownlee, who will play his 146th consecutive game for that union. Naturally, under new coach and former Ram Daniel Alofa, King Country will be seeking to run Buller around and avoid too many breakdown opportunities for Brownlee and the rugged Buller pack to make capital.
King Country had a thin pre-season, having to play their Development XV after the trip to Wanganui was scrubbed following a road closure. The Rams have five debutants for their opener in Westport, while they will look to lock Aarin Dunster and No 8 Anthony Wise in the pack. Dean Church will be seeking scoring opportunities on the wing. In 2014 he was the joint leading tryscorer with four.
Defending Meads Cup champions Mid Canterbury host neighbours South Canterbury, while Lochore Cup champions Wanganui will travel to Horowhenua Kapiti.
"With a grassroots feel we are all familiar with, this competition, like the ITM Cup, offers something that no other country can match - a national, inter-provincial tournament that covers the depth and breadth of the country across both large urban to small, rural communities," said NZ Rugby general manager of rugby Neil Sorensen.
"These players, coaches, management teams and fans are a huge part of what traditional rugby is about. They go to work, come home, head off to train twice a week with their mates before travelling what can be hundreds of kilometres just to be at the game on Saturday - before starting all over again on Monday.
"It's the passion and dedication that speaks volumes about our game. I love watching this sort of rugby," he said.
