FAMILIAR FACE: Former Highlanders player Glen Horton is one of the big names to crop up in Wanganui club rugby for 2015.PHOTO/FILE
THEY don't like it, but they'll find a way to make it work.
Coaching is an art, not a science, so the heads of the leading contenders for 2015's Tasman Tanning Premier 1 title have had their thinking caps on in planning a season that starts in March and must accommodate four bye weeks in the wake of the shock departure of Marton.
It is a draw that has frustrated Wanganui Rugby Union club development officer Paul Kenny, who was still having to reshape it only days before kickoff and, as a result, means Spriggens Park will not have a season opener as the country clubs all host the week one matches.
"Someone described [the byes] to me as a sabbatical," said Integrity Motors Pirates coach Phillip Morris, as his 2014 champions prepares to bus to Memorial Park to face 2014 semifinalists PGG Wrightson-Ballance Taihape tomorrow.
This game was rescheduled to week one to help avoid a scenario where both Pirates and Taihape would not have a home game for a month due to byes.
Morris looked into the possibility of friendly games for their off weeks, but the other team on the bye was always a country side.
"It's going to be hard to keep the players motivated," he said.
"It just puzzles me it was festering over the summer and nothing was done about it.
"The [Marton] boys want to play there - we've got a couple playing for us but I'm sure they wanted to play there."
One positive spinoff for Pirates is Steelform Wanganui wider squad member Meni Faasau has joined the team at lock, given Simon Hillis is still rehabilitating his broken leg from last July.
Although the squad has come together a little late, due to shifts at the meatworks, Pirates had a good pre-season win over Wainuiomata, the Wellington club champions.
Morris is also mindful of a slow season start against a team like Taihape, who again could be on the cusp of a banner year.
Pirates also lost 28-18 at Memorial Park last season.
"Sometimes we get on the bus and the switch is not switched."
Great improvers over two seasons under coach Kerry Whale, Taihape won't have young representative first five Dane Whale, but have made a major pickup in former Highlander Glen Horton.
"He'll be a real asset for them," said Morris.
The 31-year-old fullback, earned 21 Super Rugby caps (2003-8) and played 60 NPC games for Otago and Southland, has returned to New Zealand after playing in Russia since 2012.
Pirates maestro Denning Tyrell will need two weeks for match fitness due to a calf injury, while Lasa Ulukuta again captains the team from No8.
Prospects in the midfield, following the departure of NZ Heartland Under-19 rep Kameli Kuruyabaki, are Samoan A and sevens rep Saena Vili, who will partner Patrick Hiscox, back from the Manawatu sevens scene.
Alongside his new deputy in former Wanganui halfback Paul Mitchell, Waverley Harvesting Border coach Ross Williams is looking at a start where his team, the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield holders, must have two byes in four weeks.
"I can't believe Marton, it's disappointing," he said.
"It's probably the better of the starts, you don't get pre-season."
There is no easing into the campaign, as they will host the always unpredictable Harvey Round Motors Ratana at Dallison Park.
Expecting the traditionally strong forward pack from the visitors, Border can't yet unveil their ex-Heartland rep lock Andrew Retallick, back from Taranaki but currently nursing injured ribs, yet have plenty of cover from Sam Madams and Jack Hodge.
Fraser Middleton will return to fullback after being a stop-gap first five last year, and captains the team.
Ian Honeyfield has retired, but there is muscle in the front row with NZ Heartland hooker Cole Baldwin, rep prop Kamipeli Latu and new Irish arrival Drew Young.
Williams is also going to start 2014's top points scorer Bobo Ulukuta at blindside flanker, although acknowledging he may yet migrate back to the wing.
"He's a work in progress, he's a game breaker out wide."
Young Jack Lupton graduates from the bench to slot into the troublesome No10 spot, while able to cover first or second five, former Horowhenua Kapiti representative James Forsythe joins the team.
Most looking forward to putting Marton's woes behind him is their former coach Cornel Mason, back in the Pa guiding his beloved Ratana with new group of assistants.
"Hopefully some new ideas and we some new foundations for the club," he said.
"Ratana always had the same forward pack, solid up front. For myself, we like running rugby."
An Achilles heel of Ratana in 2014 was the inability to secure four-try bonus points, even against teams at the lower end of the table - a key factor on just missing out on the championship semifinals.
The other opening match will see 2014 runners-up Ruapehu host Kaierau at Ohakune.
Marist and Utiku Old Boys have byes.