KEY POINTS:
The list of departures reads like a who's who of Auckland rugby since the turn of the millennium.
Doug Howlett, Brent Ward, Steve Devine, Brad Mika, Sam Tuitupou. And so on. And so on.
Collectively, it adds up to 614 caps of experience that have walked out the
door in the past 12 months.
The 25-man squad that begins its defence of the national championship and the Ranfurly Shield with a challenge on the road in Gisborne today boasts just 437 caps - and almost half of those belong to just three players.
Nick White, who will captain the side today and has been tasked with conducting the history lectures that mark the start of every Auckland campaign, has 81. Centre Ben Atiga has 64 and Daniel Braid, the openside flanker for whom an All Blacks call-up seemingly tolls if he can get through the match unhindered, has 70.
After those three, Taniela Moa, with part of one season under his belt as the first choice halfback, is the most experienced player in the side.
"You can't replace experience but there is certainly enough talent there to challenge," coach Pat Lam said.
That said, the coach who will step down after round five has altered his team's pre-season programme significantly in a bid to bed in the host of new faces.
"These Shield games are fantastic for us. Last year we could get away with one warm-up game. This year we are having four."
Without wanting to be too dismissive of Poverty Bay, whose last match was a thrilling come-from-behind victory over South Canterbury in the Lochore Cup final, today's match won't be a huge step up from a serious training run.
If Auckland don't crack three figures, the Bay will have had a fine day.
The gulf between the professionals and the part-timers may have grown to the extent that a competitive contest is no longer possible but that doesn't make it a meaningless exercise, Lam said.
"Straight after we won the Shield this is what I envisioned ... bringing it to the heartland. We are here to promote the game of rugby and the Shield and the welcome that we have had and the excitement of the kids has been fantastic. That is one side of it.
"The second part is on the field. That is about our structure, about getting guys from club rugby and getting them into the Auckland way, doing the basics well and playing our game.
"It's a Shield game and [Poverty Bay] will be up for it, so it's important we do our jobs. "
Last year's undefeated season will be an almost impossible act to follow for this young Auckland team. Lam won't be expecting them to match that but wants players to be aware of the legacy they represent in a season that marks the 125th anniversary of Auckland's affiliation to the NZRU.
"The guys all know about the history. For the past 125 years Auckland has been the most successful union. They understand what we are playing for. To put on the Auckland jersey is special. It is something that is not given away easily."
* This season's jersey will be a replica of that worn by Auckland in 1883
