In the Chiefs Cup, Counties Manukau champion Wesley College is in Pool A, while runner-up and 2013 national co-ed finalist Manurewa High School lines up in Pool B. Other top-ranked schools in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley and King Country will do battle, though defending champion Hamilton Boys' High School, fresh off its triumph in the Sanix world youth tournament last week, will not play its first game until Tuesday, hosting Cambridge High School.
Pukekohe High School, with a new squad and head coach in Michael Abraham, is aiming to lift the Chiefs Trophy this season and win back a place in the top two schools in the union to win promotion to the Chiefs Cup. Pukekohe was fourth in Counties Manukau last season, behind Rosehill College, alma mater of Kieran Read. Pukekohe today travels to Hamilton BHS to face that school's Second XV, while Rosehill travels to Otorohanga College.
The competition runs for three weeks before pool winners meet in finals on May 31.
The Counties Manukau premier competition, in which there are eight sides, including James Cook High School, Alfriston College, Waiuku College and Wesley Second XV, will start next month.