They are strong, they are invincible ... or are they?

Ask Wellington coach Fili Liuaana how you beat a team who haven't lost a game since 1994 and she'll give a chuckle.

That is the dilemma for her side as they prepare for their final Lion Foundation Cup round-robin game against Auckland in Wellington tomorrow.

The Auckland Storm have won the competition every year since it began in 1999. During that time Wellington have been the second-best performers, making the final three times. In 1999 they lost 22-0, in 2001, 28-3, and last year 53-3.

Add in a 24-3 semifinal defeat in 2000 and a 39-3 round-robin defeat last year and you know that Wellington have a big mental hurdle to climb.

Liuaana agrees that the mental challenge is probably greater than the physical.

"With Auckland's record over the past years a lot of girls playing in Lion Foundation Cup teams have come to think that they're invincible.

"History shows us that no team is invincible. We've got the talent within our squad to produce a result. But the challenge is getting them to believe they can do it."

Wellington have been slow starters this season, losing their opening game to Canterbury, then narrowly beating Otago.

Last week they beat last-placed Waikato to secure their semifinal spot.

Despite playing away from home the Auckland Storm still start as hot favourites to end the round-robin undefeated.

If they win by more than seven points they could host Wellington in a semifinal a week later. That would happen if Otago beat Canterbury in Dunedin this weekend.

Canterbury have beaten Wellington and Waikato and held Auckland until halftime. Otago beat cellar dwellers Waikato, lost narrowly to Wellington and were well beaten by Auckland last week.

The ultra-competitive second division continues this weekend with some intriguing clashes. Bay of Plenty travel to North Harbour, and must win at Albany to stay in touch with competition leaders Hawkes Bay, who play Auckland B at Taupo. Northland are favoured to beat Counties Manukau.

In the South Island, semifinal places will be sorted out - Southland's clash against Otago B the most interesting. Nelson Bays host Canterbury B in the other match.

Points . -

First division: Auckland 15, Canterbury 9, Wellington 8, Otago 5, Waikato 0.

Second division (north): Hawkes Bay 13, Manawatu 10, North Harbour 10, Northland 9, Bay of Plenty 9, Auckland B 5, Counties Manukau 0. South: Southland 13, Canterbury B 9, Otago B 9, South Canterbury 5, Nelson Bays 1.