Since the Pourewa club (merger of Hunterville and Marton) was split up in 2003 Hunterville have won the senior title six times - (2007-09-10-11-12-13), placed third in 2004-06-08 and fifth in 2003-05.
Hunterville have lost just two games and drawn twice in 79 matches over the past five years with Marist Celtic the only side to spoil their unbeaten runs during the period.
Celtic won 16-5 in 2010 and 20-15 last year, both times at Spriggens Park, and drew 13-all at the same ground in 2009 and 15-all at Hunterville in 2010.
Although being beaten 31-17 by Taihape at Taihape last year, Hunterville won the game on a technicality.
Hunterville have also won the senior grade challenge trophy - the Stihl Shop Wanganui Shield - for the last six years.
Last time Hunterville lost at home was a 12-11 defeat to Tech in the 2008 semifinals, finally finishing third that season behind Marist and Tech after also losing twice at Spriggens Park - 10-17 to Tech and 7-10 against Marist.
Nick Tipling (12 tries) and young race horse trainer Harry Bull (11) headed the Hunterville try scorers last year, the team finishing with 73 tries.
Hunterville open their new campaign against Tech in a 1pm curtain-raiser at Spriggens on Saturday with the Stihl Shield at stake.
James Kilmister and Mark Godfrey are again coaches for the defending champions.
Missing from Hunterville will be Peter Duxfield and Glen Weitenberg, who have both joined neighbouring Marton, and Joseph McClure who is with Marist.
After drifting from third in 2012 to 11th last year Tech, the 2003 champions, have a new coach - former NZ Heartland international and Wanganui rep skipper Steelie Koro.
It will come as no surprise to see Koro, who played 50 times for Wanganui between 2003 and 2011, donning the Tech playing jersey this season.
Although Celtic have upset Hunterville occasionally, the side has yet to win a Wanganui title with their best efforts being second in 2011, third in 2010 and 2007 and fourth last year behind Hunterville, Ruapehu and Counties.
Celtic, under coach Jerome McCrea, play Marton away on Saturday.
Ruapehu, winners in 2004 and 2006, also reached the 2010 (pipped 17-16) and 2009 (beaten 14-7) finals, against Hunterville, and had high hopes in last year's final only to be swept aside 38-3 by the defending champions.
Ruapehu, who scored 80 tries last season, including 11 from Kahl Elers-Green and 10 from Haki Henry, will be coached by James Rowe and Nuku Wallace this year and start the season with a game at Kaierau on Saturday.
Counties, the 2002 champions and coached by former Wanganui rep Sean Edmonds, will be looking to improve on fourth place two years ago and third last season.
The side host Marist Buffalos, the 2000 and 2008 champions, at McNab Domain on Saturday. Marist have reached six finals during the new millennium but finished fifth for the last two seasons.
In other first round games, Pirates play Taihape on the Racecourse, Utiku OB host Border and Ratana have the bye.
McCarthy's Ruapehu will defend the premier Grand Hotel Challenge Shield against Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau at Kaierau on Saturday.
