Squad is

Forwards: Tanerau Latimer - captain (Rangiuru) James McGougan, Marcel Cummings-Toone, Culum Rettalick, Luke Braid (Tauranga Sports) Joe Savage, Matt Vant Leven (Whakarewarewa) Josh Hohneck, Zac Hohneck, Josh Olsen (Rotoiti) John Moore (Ngongotaha) Ted Tauroa, Colin Bourke (Mount Maunganui) John Pareanga (Te Puna) Josh Katene (Te Teko) Solomon King (Te Puke Sports)
Backs: Junior Poluleuligaga (Te Puna) Josh Hall, Phil Burliegh (Tauranga Sports) Mike Delaney, Cory Aporo, Zar Lawrence, Lance MacDonald (Mount Maunganui) Jason Hona (Rangataua) Wayne Hughson (Whakarewarewa) Clinton Toopi (Whakatane Marist) Nick McCashin, Nigel Hunt (Te Puke Sports)
Loan Players - Andre Ellison, Ben Smith
Head Coach: Greg Smith            Assistant Coach: Steve Miln       Manager: Sean Horan

There we have, the squad that will carry our hopes in 2009. Who knows if this will be final NPC/Air New Zealand Cup given the way the NZRU and the provinces are struggling.

Junior Polu, the former North Harbour half-back is a current Samoan international and from memory, a big unit. Clinton Toopi is a former Warrior and Kiwi international, an immense talent with ball in hand but we will see whether he can adapt to Union.

My guess at a first XV with all available (and Lats not in the ABs).

Savage, Pareanga, McGougan, Moore, Retallick, King, Latimer, Bourke, Polu, Delany, Hona, Hunt, Aporo, McDonald, Lawrence.

I know, not very ambitious - just a half-back swap from last season. Notable absentees from last season are Ruki Tipuna, Aidan Kuka and Kelly Haimona.