Some of the big guns are already out of the silverware race after the first day of the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament in Taupo.
Last year's Premiership winners and holders of the Graham Mourie Cup Wellington were upended 29-10 in unceremonious fashion by a rugged Taranaki in the final match of eight at Owen Delany Park.
North Harbour, who were top seed out of the Blues region, were defeated 34-18 by an Otago side that exploded out of the blocks, while Auckland A, lacking some of the star quality one might expect from the large union, were beaten 37-20 by Canterbury. North Harbour and Auckland cannot do better than fifth position, but both will have to win on Wednesday to play each other for that final placing.
In the Championship section for the Michael Jones Trophy, Counties Manukau, dead last in 2014, recorded their first win in this event, a solid second half carrying them to a 31-13 victory over the national Heartland side.
Four yellow cards were dished out in this encounter, three of them against the Heartland team.
Counties Manukau fielded a useful 10-12 combination of 2015 Samoan Under 20 rep Jonathan Taumateine at No 10 with Orbyn Leger outside, giving a right-left foot kicking partnership. Leger kicks with his left boot, as did his father, former Steelers and Ikale Tahi Tonga midfielder Gus Leger, now coaching the Sacred Heart College First XV.
Taumateine was full value off the tee, slotting six from eight and scoring the final try off a scrum, making for a 21-point haul.
The Heartland pack hacked away, and held Counties Manukau to 6-6 at the half, but the latter seized the initiative just five minutes into the second spell when halfback Conor Kennedy darted over off a scrum. Hooker Tepuia Luteru came up with two big plays, scoring in the corner from an inside ball by right wing Harley Jenkins and then making a trysaving tackle on Heartland captain, prop Charlie Henare of King Country.
The Heartland team did gain some consolation thanks to a very good surge for a try off a backpedalling scrum by North Otago No 8 Filipo Veamatahau.
Counties Manukau assistant coach Tai Lavea was pleased with the second half output.
"They're talented boys. We just try and give them a bit of structure, but allow them to play their natural game, which is what they are good at," says Lavea of the squad, chosen from first or second year school leavers. The scene is a tad different to the high profile, high pressure world of Auckland's 1A First XV championship, where he coaches the top St Kentigern College First XV.
In other Championship results under sunny skies in Taupo, Hawke's Bay edged Bay of Plenty 18-14, Southland beat Northland 23-22 and Tasman repulsed Auckland B 34-22.
In the Premiership, Waikato, one of the most aggressive provinces in recruitment, hammered Manawatu 67-12.
Otago, second seeds from the southern region, simply fired out of the blocks with some accurate, compelling rugby starting with try between the sticks by centre Jed Thomas before one minute had even elapsed. While North Harbour No 8 Martin Brink replied almost instantaneously when the defence opened up on his pick and go, three more, to first five Thomas Johnson off a chargedown, loosehead prop Jonah Aoina and replacement Grayson Kite, gave Otago a 31-8 halftime lead. Their effort was anchored off a strong set-piece and commitment on the ball.
North Harbour were a far different, more energised outfit in the second stanza, fullback Daniel Lee scoring from a sweet scrum move with Mark Telea providing the incision. But it was all too late.
"We got off to a flier, but the second half we were guilty of being a bit complacent," said Otago skipper and hooker Tom Hardy, last year's King's College First XV and NZ Barbarians Schools captain.
In the last match of the day, the boot of strapping Taranaki fullback Eli Kneepkens was decisive in the 29-10 win over Wellington. But perhaps the pack took a leaf out of the approach of their senior team's pack, who were muscling up to and beating Canterbury in the ITM Cup only an hour or so beforehand.
Wellington started the better, a solo 40m try by second five Lester Maulolo opening up a 10-3 lead, but a double to Taranaki wing Manasa Mataele and 19 points to Kneepkens kept the pressure on. Taranaki tackled everything that moved in a black jersey and made less errors.
"We didn't want to give them a sniff in the second half," said Taranaki vice-captain Duplessis Kirifi.
The upshot of all this means that Wednesday's semifinals day sees Otago versus Waikato and Canterbury against Taranaki in the Premiership.
In the Championship semifinals, Counties Manukau are pitted against 2014 winners Southland, while Tasman are up against Hawke's Bay. Other games are for the minor placings.
TV commentator Mark 'Bull Allen has his boy, Thomas, playing in the Bay of Plenty side, though will not get to call him on Wednesday, as Bay of Plenty play in the early game.
Today, all players are taking part in development programmes, dealing with aspects of professional rugby, to which most, if not all, aspire.
The first session will be part of New Zealand Rugby's education around respect, responsibility, and risk awareness for young players. A panel of Adam Parker, Steven Luatua and Pita Alatini will then address the players on the realities of a career as a professional rugby player, including areas such as travel, playing overseas, the uncertain nature of a career in rugby, implications on lifestyle, et cetera.
You can follow the tournament at www.facebook.com/NationalUnder19s
Jock Hobbs Memorial national U19 tournament
(Owen Delany Park, Taupo)
Day one:
Championship: Hawke's Bay 18 Bay of Plenty 14, Southland 23 Northland 22, Tasman 34 Auckland B 22, Counties Manukau 31 Heartland 13
Premiership: Waikato 67 Manawatu 12, Canterbury 37 Auckland A 20, Otago 34 North Harbour 18, Taranaki 29 Wellington 10
The match featured windy conditions, making play challenging for both.