KEY POINTS:
Glory years: None.
2006 finish: 11th (W3 L6).
Best result: Beat Tasman 42-17 in last repechage match.
Worst result: Lost 29-3 to Auckland in round 3.
Dearly departed: Laurence Corlett, Craig Jervis, Census Johnson, Joe Lawn, Lifeimi Mafi, Brendon McGlashan, Phil Mitchell, Andrew Suniula, Paul Tito, Brendon Watt.
Sick note: Jason Eaton.
Holidaying in France: Andrew Hore.
New kids on the block: Craig Clarke, Matt France, Nathan Hohaia, Courtney Mackay, Chris Walker.
Shooting star: Scott Waldrom might lack the size to dominate at the highest level but he should be in his element in this tournament. A first-rate ball snaffler with a fine turn of pace. Also an outstanding karaoke singer.
Old stagers: Halfback Brendan Haami and prop Tony Penn have 157 games in the yellow and black between them.
Coaches count: Another repeat of last year's below-par season and Kieran Crowley will probably get to add the word 'former' to his current job title.
Quirks of the draw: Visit North Harbour in round two for the first shield challenge of the competition. If they win it they'll have to defend it against Southland and then Otago over the next two weeks. To keep it for the season they'd have to beat Canterbury in their last home game. No trips to the South Island this season, with all four Southern sides visiting Yarrow Stadium. Lucky southerners then. Home: Tasman, Southland, Otago, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury. Away: North Harbour (RS), Auckland, Northland, Wellington, Counties. Not playing: Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu.
Scouting report
Destroyed a below-strength Waikato team (29-12) in Hamilton but also lost to Hawkes Bay and Manawatu pre-season. Way off the pace last year, beating only Manawatu and Tasman (twice). Looked to be adopting a more expansive approach against Waikato, playing two specialist opensides and shifting the ball nicely to speedy Asalemo Malo on the wing.
Prospects
The Naki seldom string together two bad years and have traditionally been able to give the big five unions a bit of a shake. But, the impressive rout of Waikato aside, pre-season losses to Hawkes Bay and Manawatu don't bode well. The loss of ginger assassin Paul Tito, Andrew Hore (World Cup duty) and Jason Eaton (gammy knee) give them a much weaker look, on paper at least, than last year. Personally, I think they need to get rid of the giant inflatable loaf of bread to have any chance.
Prediction: 10th. Not much for Ferdinand the Bull to smile about.