Two new teams, the Palmerston North-based Central Falcons and the Taranaki Wildcats, will feature in this season's Bartercard Cup rugby league competition starting on Sunday.
With just one Wellington-based franchise in the competition this year, the capital city should field a strong side. Two Wellington teams competed last year.
The competition, played
over 16 rounds with a top-five play-off system getting under way in late August, starts with a split round over the next two weekends.
All three new teams will be in action on Sunday. Wellington host the 2000 champions Canterbury, the Central Falcons are up against Marist Richmond Brothers from Auckland in Palmerston North and Taranaki travel to Auckland to play the Mt Albert Lions.
Wellington now have the benefit of one of New Zealand's most experienced and respected coaches, Gerard Stokes, who will be assisted by Tony Lajpold and Ralph Moore.
They now have Canterbury fullback Lusi Sione, one of the most exciting fullbacks in competition over the last two seasons.
A player to watch will be Wesley Henry alongside the experienced Tenga Pickering and Frank Rameka.
The Canterbury Bulls, coached by Phil Prescott, should continue to be one of the front-runners in the competition.
They also have a number of new players under the wings of Shane Beyers and Danny Champion.
The Falcons have attracted a number of players from Wainuiomata, including their coach last year, John Lomax.
He also has two of his brothers, David and Tony, in the squad.
Other players such as Mark Graham, Jason Bell, Delany Edmonds, Michael Price and Richard and Michael Sharp will bring enough experience into the squad to ensure they will be competitive.
Marist Richmond Brothers have always got off to a good start to the season, only to fade later on.
Ricky Henry, Jamie Cook, James Nicholson and Mark Passi have transferred from Northcote. Passi and Nicholson should add a little more solidity to the defence while Cook, on his day, is an effective game breaker.
The Wildcats have no experience at this level of competition although they have a few players who had played in the old Lion Red Cup.
Long-time Taranaki and Wellington player Alan Jackson is the Wildcats coach.
Taranaki have always been able to put together useful teams.
Players such as Cheaf-Lee Fakavamoeanga, Jermaine Awahou and Brent Snooks will be the major contributors to the teams.
Mt Albert's most notable acquisitions are Steve Buckingham from Glenora and who has in the past been a Warrior contracted player, and Keneti Asiata, a long-time Auckland representative player from Northcote.
They also have Ben Lythe, returning after a couple of seasons with Glenora.
The Lions could threaten more fancied teams such as Hibiscus Coast, Otahuhu and Canterbury this season.
Six teams will start their season next week to complete round one competition.
Bartercard Cup players will be selected in the New Zealand A squad to tour the United States and France later in the year.
- NZPA
Two new teams, the Palmerston North-based Central Falcons and the Taranaki Wildcats, will feature in this season's Bartercard Cup rugby league competition starting on Sunday.
With just one Wellington-based franchise in the competition this year, the capital city should field a strong side. Two Wellington teams competed last year.
The competition, played
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