Northland coach Derren Witcombe has ensured a solid foundation will be behind his side's Mitre 10 Cup Championship efforts to do better than the fourth placing they achieved in the last two years.
A genuine title threat since being elevated to the Premiership in 2017, North Harbour will be a team to watch again in 2019 with a well-balanced squad set for action.
After a bottom-placed finish in 2018, the Southland Stags will be looking for rapid improvement in 2019 with a number of new and returning players named in their squad.
Two harrowing seasons without success in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship have been tough for Southland but hopes of a revival in 2019 are on the cards for Dave Hewett's men.
New Zealand Rugby referee Rebecca Mahoney will create history on Friday afternoon, when she becomes the first woman to officiate a Ranfurly Shield challenge.