Entering our third season back where we belong in Division 1, once again we can find the positives that suggest we will achieve a mid-table finish free from Promotion/Relegation worries and pick up the odd big name scalp along the way – along with the Ranfurly Shield – naturally…

Among the factors that currently spring to mind this year that lead to the blind optimism/faith/desperation are:
 

-   Being the third season back in Division 1, some of the guys have now had two full seasons in Division 1 and know how fast, hard and tough it is and are learning now how to back up week after week.

-   While the other teams will suffer in varying degrees from the loss of All Blacks to the World Cup, unless the Mafia campaign is successful in getting Glen Jackson into the squad of 30, the Bay will be untouched.

-   Kevin Senio looks to be an up-and-comer of real class to give decent service to Glen Jackson

-   Grant McQuoid is injury free this year and has been playing well in France by all accounts.

-   Wayne Ormond is now a full-time pro-rugby player and according to the Chiefs fitness trainer really lifted his fitness levels during his time with the Chiefs

-   Aleki Lutui, Taufa’ao Filise, Kevin Senio and Dale Rasmussen have all benefited from varying amounts of time inside the Chiefs set-up during 2003.

-   Alan Buntting appears to be over his stress fractures that apparently plagued him in 2002.

-   Another decent young front rower has landed from Otago – this time Ben Castle.

-   Doesn’t look like we will have Scott Barton or Jason Tiatia to drop every ball that is spun wide.

-   The return of Nathan Strongman will bring some much needed experience to the midfield.

-   The win over Italy was a promising start to the representative season along with a win over a Waikato XV, some early momentum to build on.

 But to also worry about:

-   How will our amateur and semi-pro players compete against the mostly pro-setups of the Super 12 Franchise hosts?

-   Is Paul Tupai a red-card risk we can’t afford?

-   Will Vern Cotter continue his 2002 rotation policy in a team that lacks the necessary depth for one?

-   Will Glen Jackson stay injury free?

-   No Mark Weedon to add steel to the forward pack 

-   Will we get the crowds we need in Tauranga?

-   Can we string consistent performances together...

So for the staunch Mafia member there’s quite a few signs to suggest that 2003 could bring the solid mid-table finish we’d all like to notch up in order to build our assault on the top four from (and eventual NPC win, wresting control of the Chiefs from Waikato etc etc)

But as always there are a couple of dangers that could result in a repeat of 2001 and 2002. (as a realistic man once told me “don’t forget Donsteppa, this is the Bay”) Although unlike the past, in 2003 we have the BoP Mafia to “fix” things behind the scenes.

Naturally, there’s only one way to find out for sure which way it will go. Roll on the 2003 NPC...