A David and Goliath struggle headlines the beginning of the 2013 Premier Baywide rugby season today, with two-time defending champions Te Puke Sports hosting newly promoted Paroa.

Te Puke, which lost just one game last year on the way to a 19-1 record, will be looking forward to playing under blue skies after their final against Rotoiti last year was played in atrocious conditions at Tauranga Domain.

Two-time defending champions Te Puke will host Paroa at Murray Salt Stadium.

With new players Jimmy Roberts, Tim Bond and Junior Tafa Va'a on board, the fixture serves as an ideal hit-out for a side attempting to capture an elusive three-peat, with a trip away to Te Puna beckoning in round two.

Paroa's, promoted from Division One last season courtesy of scoring first in the added period of an even, extra time thriller with Rangiuru may have their enthusiasm for premier competition tempered by an away date with the defending champs.

Rumours abound that Jason Hona may appear among their ranks but coach George Harawira has vowed his side will make its mark on the competition regardless.

Last year's beaten finalists Rotoiti, who surprised many pundits by beating Tauranga Sports in last year's semi-finals, will be looking to back up that impressive campaign without the services of Wayne Ormond, Joe Gotz, Joe Fenton, Sigfried Fisiihoi, Rob McCann, William Royal, Luke Cassidy and Kevin Guptil.

They begin their season with an away game against a Whakarewarewa side minus a number of key players from last year.

Tauranga Sports will be out to get their year off on the right foot away from home, but may find a stiffer challenge waiting for them in the form of Greerton Marist, who have much greater depth than the squad beaten by a combined 79 points in the two corresponding contests last year.

After staving off relegation during a promising first season in the top flight, the Greerton side has added Andrew Hill, Kalem Chan-Boon, Troy Callander, Tim O'Malley, John Bosco Tagaloa and Joe Key to its playing stocks.

Opotiki lost 36-12 to eventual champions Te Puke Sport in the semifinals last year, so will be looking at going at least one better this season.

After beating Rangataua 43-5 in round three and 28-10 in round 12 last season, they will be looking to kick-off their campaign with a win against Paul Pou's men at home.

Fixing defensive frailties will likely be top of the agenda for Rangataua, which conceded the most points of any of the returning sides in the premier competition last season.

Te Puna narrowly missed the playoffs last year despite finishing on the same number of points as beaten semi-finalists Opotiki.

That fact, combined with a round one meeting away from home with a Mount Maunganui side which finished with an identical win/loss record last year, should result in an opening round cracker at Blake Park.

The Mount, complete with a new coaching staff and inflated preseason training numbers, will be out for a measure of revenge against a side that won both contests between the two teams last season.

Premier: (All games to start at 2.45pm)

Greerton Marist v Tauranga Sports (Greerton Park 1)

Mount Maunganui v Te Puna (Blake Park 1)

Sports Opotoki v Rangataua (Princess Street Reserve 1)

Te Puke Sports v Paroa (Murray Salt Stadium 1)

Whakarewarewa v Rotoiti (Puarenga Park 1)

Division one: (All games to start at 2.45pm)

Ngongotaha Div 1 v Ruatoki Div 1 (Ngongotaha Domain 1)

Poroporo Div 1 v Te Teko Div 1 (Poroporo Park 1)

Rangiuru Snr A v Marist St. Michaels Div 1 (Centenial Park 1)

Waikite Div 1 v Kahukura Div 1 (Bellvue Road 1)

Whakatane Marist Div 1 v Katikati Div 1 (Rugby Park 2)

WBOP Local senior competition:

Greerton Marist Snr B v Tauranga Sports Sen B (Greerton Park 1 - 1pm)

Matakana v Judea Snr (Matakana Island 1 - 1pm)

Mount Maunganui Snr B v Te Puna Snr B (Blake Park 1 - 1pm)

Rangiuru Snr B v Rangataua Snr B (Oval 3 - 1pm)

Te Puke Snr B v Eastern Districts Snr (Murray Salt Stadium 1 - 1pm)

Papamoa Snr v Arataki Snr (Gordon Spratt Reserve 1 - 2.45pm)