The national women's provincial championship kicks off tomorrow and the Auckland Storm will, as ever, be the hunted.
The Storm have racked up a record that is comparable to the Black Ferns, having won 14 of 15 titles since 1999, with seven consecutive. New girls to the squad are told in uncertain terms of the standards and the legacy. Leading the way there are co-captains, hooker and Black Ferns skipper Fiao'o Fa'amausili and utility back Tiana Ngawati.
Fa'amausili has worn the Storm jersey since the dawn of the competition, as a teenager in 1999, and she has 81 matches to her credit.
"Fi has a huge passion for the game and with all her experience she is great for this team," said new Storm coach Dean Bickerton, coach of the University men's premier side. He will be assisted by JP Fa'amausili and former Manu Samoa first five Tanner Vili.
There are no less than 10 Black Ferns in the 26-strong squad, and that does not include the injured Emma Jensen, Charlotte Scanlan, Charmaine McMenamin and Brittany Coates. Flanker Justine Lavea will play for Counties Manukau. Auckland do not have access to the contracted sevens players such as Kayla McAlister, who are training for Rio. But they do have depth and a solid mix of seasoned campaigners and greenhorns, the latter including Southern Cross schoolgirl Moana Fineaso-Levi, who on Monday led her First XV to the Auckland championship, beating Otahuhu 30-20 in the final.
The Storm look primed to again give the competition a shake after dispatching Bay of Plenty 81-0 last Saturday in pre-season. Tomorrow they travel to Park Island to face Hawke's Bay, whom the beat 93-0 last season. Wing Mele Hufanga, who notched 12 tries in 2014, ran in four in that game.
But their major competition is likely to come from Canterbury, whom they meet next Saturday in an ITM Cup curtainraiser at Eden Park, 2014 finalists Waikato, Counties Manukau and Wellington. The capital is the only other team to raise the NPC, beating Auckland 11-10 on Eden Park in the 2006 final.
Bickerton wasn't aware of the record dating back to 1999.
"No pressure on the new coaching group then!" he joked. In truth, the expectations are always high with the Storm anyway.
"We're fielding a strong team tomorrow. I just want to see the girls play a really good brand of football. We're trying to lift the level again" he said.
NZ Rugby is seeking to expand the women's NPC, and North Harbour is a chance to join in 2016. A second Auckland XV, the Thunder, will play North Harbour and Northland and in another provincial tournament this weekend in Albany.
Tomorrow's Canterbury v Counties Manukau clash in Christchurch looms as a potentially even contest. Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge is shortlisted for World Rugby's women's player of the year award, largely for her sterling form in the Canadian Super Series last month.
Auckland Storm squad:
Forwards: Aldora Itunu, Aleisha Nelson, Doris Taufateau, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Rebecca Todd, Eloise Blackwell, Aimee Lenssen, Charlene Halapua, Shannon Leota, Moana Fineaso-Levi, Kelvery Longopoa, Lydia Crossman, Linda Itunu, Shannon Willoughby
Backs: Kiritapu Demant, Dayna Harris, Aeron Warbrooke, Ruahei Demant, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Alaiumu Sao-Taliu, Mele Hufanga, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Natahlia Debnorah-Moors, Tuila Fotu-Moala, Tiana Ngawati, Hasting Leiataua
Women's NPC round one, Saturday
Hawke's Bay v Auckland, Park Island, 1pm
Manawatu v Bay of Plenty, Palmerston North, 12pm
Canterbury v Counties Manukau, Christchurch, 12.30pm
Waikato v Otago, Hamilton, 2.30pm