All Black halfback Piri Weepu's big game experience may see him land the Hurricanes No 10 jersey for their Super 14 opener against the Waratahs in Wellington on Saturday.
Weepu appears to be in a head to head battle with last year's incumbent Willie Ripia for the pivotspot.
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper admits it is a wide open race. But he says against a strong looking Waratahs side, he will be looking for leadership.
";Experience, defence, vision, voice... there's a whole lot of things there that you've got to pick from what you want - if depends what you want."
Cooper has taken the Hurricanes to four semifinals but appears uncomfortable being labelled as one of the sides to beat in 2009.
"I don't know who's tagging us as favourites... (we've) never won it, I don't know how we can get to be favourites," he said.
"(We) haven't won the NPC, yet you still call us favourites. It's a tough competition."
Cooper says All Black hooker Andrew Hore will definitely miss the opening round match, while centre Conrad Smith is an outside chance to play as he is still struggling with a nagging groin injury.
