By Stu Piddington

The two Timaru sides in the Crusaders Schools Championships have different goals as it kicks off on Saturday.

A more experienced Timaru Boys' High School First XV will be hoping to make an impact and break into the top eight of the 15-team competition.

Roncalli College will be happy to record a couple wins after finishing 2016 winless with the wooden spoon.

It will however not be easy for either Timaru school as some of their opposition pump plenty of resources into their First XVs.

Defending champions St Bedes College have had a clean out but are still expected to tough alongside Christchurch Boys' High School, the two traditional heavyweights of the competition, with Nelson College also expected to be a top four contender. 

St Andrews College and Shirley Boys' High School were the big improvers in 2015, while Burnside and Christ's College are also expected to filed decent sides.

TBHS  have however 13 caps returning for the 2016 season including seven forwards.

Graham Sharpe and Gavin Miller have also reunited to coach alongside Mark Cvitanich.

Roncalli have nine caps back but it will again be their depth that will be tested as they have smallest roll of boys to select from.

A change in rules has also allowed one of the usual easybeats to bulk up.

Waimea College, had just one win and a draw in last year's competition (and finished ahead of Roncalli), have been allowed to combine with Nayland College, Garin College, Motueka High School and Golden Bay High School.

Dave Richardt, who has tasted success with Roncalli's junior sides has taken over as head coach with Michael Eaton his assistant.

The competition kicks off on Saturday with Roncalli facing St Bedes in Christchurch while TBHS take on Lincoln College in Lincoln.

TBHS then take Ashburton College while Roncalli face a tough road with a trip to Blenheim to take on Marlborough Boys' College.

The third round will see Roncalli host TBHS for their first home game with a midweek encounter on May 11.

If TBHS expect to make the top eight they will need to have bagged three wins before they face th powerful Christchurch Boys' High School.

TBHS assistant coach Gavin Miller was cautious about his side's chances but expected them to be good enough to break into the top eight.

"It is a tough competition but we will be looking to improve on last year."

TBHS's strength will be their pack under captain and lock Cullen Grace.

Prop Thomas Edwards is strong scrummager while loose forward Makatapu Tangitau is other who will be looking for a big season.

In the backs midfielder Kaleb Hunt-Wheeler has had a good start in the preseason games while Fijian wing Sireli Kawa has shown plenty of pace.

Roncalli assistant coach Michael Eaton admitted it will be tough for his team again.

"Our aim is fo the boys to leave Roncalli better rugby players and better for the experience."

"We are by far the smallest school in the championship so our expectation is to grab a couple of wins."

Eaton said they would take things in 10 minute lots and build from that.

Roncalli has been boosted by the arrival of two Fijian front rowers Alfred Vereivalu and and Lionel Monua.

Eaton said they had also introduced some young talent with four Year 11 students in the squad.

Halfback James Arscott, second five Penieli Latu, prop Jack Gibson-Pani and Flanker Will Harding-Richardt had all be given an opportunity.

Roncalli however lost the services of first five Reilly Cormack who opted to go to Christ's College for his final year of secondary school.

Midfielder Tayla Meager will take on the goal kicking duties with Jack O'Shaughnessy named as captain.