However, Kenny said there should hopefully still be some very good talent on display for returning Whanganui sevens coach Tom Wells to select for his representative team which will try to re-qualify for the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua in January.
"[Ngamatapouri] are the team to beat, but Taihape will give them a run for their money, they've already played a tournament I believe.
"Marist are a very young side, a lot of Under 18's, and Kaierau are looking strong - they nearly had enough for two teams."
The Ratana side has also been training under their Steelform Wanganui halfback Kane Tamou.
Taihape players formed the nucleus of the Whanganui team that won the Shield final in Rotorua in January 2016, with Tremaine Gilbert the captain and keen to continue this year.
The lack of Border and Pirates squads could mean a handful of their players may pop up as invitational players in other teams, which has happened over the past two tournaments.
In addition, this year's winner and runnerup will invited to attend the Melville Sevens tournament in the Waikato.
While the local club sevens is down, the women's game will take their share of centre stage with a seven team representative regional tournament.
Wellington are sending A and B squads to Marton, along with women's teams from Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Horowhenua Kapiti.
Kenny said the Whanganui women's team is predominantly players from this year's Under 18 representative team.
They will be in Pool B with Hawke's Bay and Horowhenua-Kapiti, while Pool A will be the Wellington sides along with Taranaki and Manawatu.
The games will start at 10am tomorrow, with the women's final at 2.20pm and the men's club final at 2.45am.
Both playoffs will be played under 10 minute halves, with the rest of the games being seven minute halves.
