By Stu Piddington

Celtic begins a quest for an incredible 11th straight South Canterbury senior club rugby championship when the season kicks off on Saturday.

The favourites face a resurgent Old Boys outfit in the first round Hamersley Cup feature match on Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium, with the Blues celebrating their centenary year.

Winless in the past two seasons Old Boys have an added international flavour this season which will hopefully bring a change of luck.

The appointment of new coach Aaron Coles brings not only experience but toughness. Coles had coached Geraldine over the past couple of years but has 99 senior caps for Old Boys and the centennial year had some pull.

READ MORE: The record run continues: Celtic's amazing streak reaches a decade

Old Boys imports include Etienne van Zyl a loose forward from South Africa while Polutele Soape is a big strong centre from Tonga and Jordan Ford, a nippy Canadian halfback.

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Old Boy's have also added Lyric Faolua, a utility back who represented Horowhenua Kapiti in last year's Heartland Championships. Caleb Hapeta has arrived from the Bay of Plenty and brings a huge amount of midfield experience.

A new face to senior rugby is former Timaru Boys' High School First XV wing Joel Hill who has plenty of speed and nous and could prove very handy.

Brad Tunnicliffe and Ryha Broughton are South Canterbury sevens reps who will add value with their pace outwide.

Celtic, however, are a tough ask first up especially as they are celebrating prop Matt Fetu's 250th senior game.

New coaches Andre de Joux and Craig Cahill will no doubt continue to base the team's game around a strong forward pack.

The front row will however have to step up in the absence of Garret Casey (recovering from a knee operation) and Graison Dale (playing in England). The handy Jarred Gilmour has also opted to play in Christchurch rather than travel each week.

Celtic has promoted three players - Will Richardt, Ben Simpson and Matt Blackler - from last year's B squad and has three new imports in Samoans Ray Totolua Faatauvaa (loose forward) and Walker Tuitautaioaiga Setu (wing) while former Roncalli front rower Inia Kolinisau is also back in Timaru.

Veteran loosie Kali Latu returns along with captain Nick Strachan. The pair, along with Fetu, have been part of Celtic's decade long winning run.

The game kicks off at 2.45pm at Alpine Energy Stadium.

Old Boys: Liam Cooper, Toby Foster, Ben Rawcliffe, Rhya Broughton, Luke Haslam, Robert Hough, Jared Carey, Zane Carey, Cody Wakefield, Ronnie Clement, Jarrid Cooper, Harry Escenbach, Lyric Faolua, Malili Faolua, Jordan Ford, Caleb Haptea, Doug Hill, Joel Hill, Finn Hunt (c), Brad Leonard, Levi McCoy, Cory Murdoch, Phil Richardson. Brad Tunnicliffe, Rob Stevens, Etienne van Zyl, Feki Pauuvale, Hene Faaumu, Sammsoni Puafisi, DJ Dillon, Polutele Soape. Coaches: Aaron Coles, Haden Powell.

Celtic: Matt Fetu, Aidan Barnes, Dominic Visesio, Viliama Logavatu, Inia Kolinisau, Matt Stewart, Kerry O'Connor, Andrew Darling, Will Richardt, Josh Mehrtens, Nick Strachan (c), Ray Totolua Faatauvaa, Tom Fleming, Kali Latu, Ben Simpson, Tom Watson, Willie Wright, Zac Saunders, Aiden Barnes, Willie Taylor, Asola Mika, Matt Blackler, Ben Watson, Jarred Mannex, Walker Tuitautaioaiga Setu. Coaches: Andre de Joux, Craig Cahill.

Article added: Tuesday 26 March 2019