Nelson Bays senior comp preview [Nelson Mail]

Wanderers' return after a five-year absence heralds a seven-team 2012 Car Company Nelson Bays division one club rugby competition which kicks off tomorrow.

The division one championship has increased from five to seven teams over the past two seasons, placing some pressure on the region's player resources, although Wanderers are determined, given time, to establish themselves as a viable, competitive side.

Taylor's Contracting Wanderers' most recognisable faces will be former Tasman and Bay of Plenty hooker Dan Perrin, who joins the club as player-coach, and midfielder Sione Holani who has transferred from Stoke.

With the club now back in the top division and with Perrin and Johnny Bloxham at the coaching helm, it is looking to promote some young local talent.

Included among that group are halfback Bobby Palmer, utility forward Liam King, locks Marcus Parker and Jayden Roeske and Blair Palmer, back from a serious injury suffered two seasons ago. Wanderers club stalwart Norm Johnston has four sons, Kirby, Stacey, Ethan and Riley, playing for the club this season.

Front rower Todd Bavin and midfield back Alex Lean have transferred from Waimea Old Boys.

Wakatu Marist's big signing is Samoan Rugby World Cup halfback Jeremy Sua, although the club has lost a swag of last season's championship-winning squad.

Gone from the backline are James Proctor, George Westenra, John Gbenda-Charles, Rudolf Meredith, Lucky Mulipola and Bryce Bird, Westenra to a serious eye injury. The forwards are without Mark Bright, Kahu Marfell, Callum Taylor and Gavin Briggs, with lock Dan Squire expected back from overseas in May and prop Paa Thompson another possible late inclusion.

The club has retained key forwards Francis Smith and Liam Squire and centre Kieran Fonotia, and has also picked up two of Canterbury's extended squad members from last season, flanker Gary Redmond and first five-eighth Jason Merrett.

Wing Latham Jones has been signed from Nelson College and utility back Connor Trathen moves up from the Bs. Nick Bright assumes the coaching mantle from Mike Fraser.

Star and Garter Waimea Old Boys are also feeling the pinch, with several key players missing from last season's lineup.

Their one significant signing is the Tasman Makos' new 2m-tall Fijian lock Tevita Cavubati who will accompany another Tasman representative Riki Hoeata in the second row. Front rower Sam Prattley also returns.

Otherwise, they're without lock Ben Coman, prop Hamish Cochrane and flanker Kieran Williams, with loosie Brent McKenzie overseas and Scott McKenzie recovering from shoulder surgery. The backline is missing Andrew Letham, Alex Lean and Trael Joass, meaning senior roles for halfback Kade Whiting and centre James Lowe. Threequarter Cam Arnold and first five-eighth Josh Rutledge are new to the side.

Dion Mytton, Rick Taikato and Mark Milne return as coaches.

Accessman Stoke's backline has suffered a massive hit, with Shawn Begg, Jack Umaga, Sione Holani and Leon Guerin all gone.

Wing Brenton Connell has suffered a preseason foot injury, although Stoke have picked up new halfback Matt Gaines, first five-eighth Jake Beleski and utility Joe Kirker and will be relying on a core of experienced forwards to help establish an early footing.

Props Siaki Peti and Hoani Takao are missing, but Jared Aberhart, Ben Douglas, Stu Tunnicliff, Mike Tyler, Tevita Koloamatangi and Lofi Ula remain as the key elements in Stoke's pack. Gary Alsop is the new coach.

Galbraith Nelson coach Murray Scott has avoided massive player defections, despite the loss of playmaking representative first five-eighth James Marshall, prop Craig Moore, loosie Willis Scott and hooker Danny Glover.

The return of utility forward Dan Hyatt and lock James Foster from lengthy injury breaks strengthen a Nelson pack in which Shane Christie, James Hadfield, Jake Cooley, Mitchell Thwaites, Shane Grieve and former Nelson College, Huia and West Coast prop Christian Tupuola will provide the framework.

Nelson will still field arguably one of the competition's sharpest backlines, including Louie Harvey, Steve Alfeld, Andrew Goodman, Robbie Malneek, Kim Bateman and Mitchell Scott once injury niggles and availability are sorted.

Brent Steinmetz remains as Enza Riwaka's coach, with older heads like halfback Seta Sauira and front rower Logan Balsom also back to help provide some crucial onfield guidance.

The squad will rely on the basis of last season's lineup although an injury cloud hanging over outstanding No8 Lucuster Mati could rob the side of a key performer. Wing Sete Sauqaqa is also missing, with Steinmetz banking on the development of local players through the club's academy to help fill some gaps.

Midfielder Kevin Lynch will provide experience for the backs.

New World Huia have a new coach, Gareth Cornelius, at the helm with the basis of last year's squad remaining intact.

One significant loss however, is their bullocking skipper and hooker James Mei who is heading to Wellington at Easter. Otherwise, Cornelius is confident he will have another mobile and committed forward pack and some talented backs, including New Zealand under-20 trialist Mike Wells, Buller's Heartland fullback Tema Faifua and tryscoring wing Lote Niue.

First five-eighth-fullback Jesse Rush has returned to the club from Christchurch and flanker Kane McLeod will captain the side.

In tomorrow's opening round matches, Nelson and Marist meet at Neale Park, Wanderers host Stoke at Brightwater and Huia are at home to Riwaka in their local derby