KEY POINTS:
The consternation swee-ping through Auckland rugby circles after all three Blues unions failed to make the quarter-finals is understandable.
Auckland, Harbour and Northland managed to win just 12 games and finished 11th, 12th and ninth.
Assumptions are that the Blues face a grim 2009. Linking provincial failure to
likely Super 14 failure is not wise and caution should be applied before writing the Blues off.
"If you look at both Harbour and Auckland in particular, they were depowered by injury and unavailability," says departing Harbour coach Wayne Pivac.
"I would imagine that Pat [Lam, Blues coach] will have all the players to choose from and, with everyone on deck, they should have the nucleus of a good team.
"I think the issue will be if they have a few injuries - that will really test the depth."
The nucleus to which Pivac is referring the 10-strong contingent of current All Blacks.
The Blues will have one of the strongest, if not the strongest, front five in the competition. Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric and Ali Williams all know what they are doing.
That unit will give the Blues set-piece strength, presence at the collision and ball-carrying mobility.
The backs look just as well served where the challenge will be accommodating Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake (that's assuming he re-signs with the NZRU), Joe Rokocoko and Paul Williams.
Capturing Williams was a nice piece of business as the 25-year-old will give the Blues stability on defence and a counter-attacking edge that comes with a reliable kicking game.
That's the nucleus. The problem areas are the loose forwards and inside backs. That's where the depth will be really tested.
Jerome Kaino is an improving force on the blindside and can play at No 8 if needs be. Last year his loose forward partners were usually Nick Williams and Daniel Braid - both of whom are not available.
The loss of Braid can be covered by Onosai Auva'a, who has impressed at openside for Auckland this year and deserves an extended run in the Blues No 7 jersey.
"He showed great pace and awareness," says Pivac of Auva'a, "and I was impressed with the way he played."
Former Highlander Josh Blackie is also now available, giving the Blues an experienced player who was unfortunate to miss a test cap before he left for Japan last year.
Blackie has pace, hunting instincts and can score from long range. The only question is how much wear and tear he is carrying.
No one has really come forward as an obvious replacement for Nick Williams, although Pivac feels that Harbour's Viliami Ma'afu played consistently well and deserves a chance at the next level.
Auckland's Dean Budd looks a rangy athlete with the necessary skills and attitude to become a good blindside, while Harbour's Chris Smith, who captained the New Zealand under-20 side this year has held his own at both lock and No 6.
Lam will be tempted by these two to bolster his loose forward options but it is probable he will use the draft to try to pick up a No 8 with Super 14 experience.
The draft is also likely to be relied upon to deliver a back-up option to Taniela Moa at halfback.
Harbour's Chris Smyllie, once a red-hot prospect, has again failed to reproduce his blistering form of 2005 while Auckland's Grayson Hart looks like he's not quite ready. That same assessment might be reached in regard to Northland's Brenton Helleur, leaving Lam to chance that a better option will be released by a rival franchise.
The well-documented lack of quality at first five has been solved by luring Tasesa Lavea from the Chiefs and Jimmy Gopperth from the Hurricanes. Both have ample Super 14 experience without ever having delivered the consistency they would have liked.
If there is reason to worry about the Blues it is around their loose forwards and creative backs.
The ELVs have made speed to the breakdown critical. They have also increased the pressure on halfbacks and first fives to make snap decisions and to have a high quality kicking game.
It's debatable whether the Blues have the quality across the field to be title contenders but they certainly have no reason to panic.