Super 14, the sequel

The Hurricanes, led by Mark Allen, faced the Blues for the inaugural Super 12 match. Kenny Rodger / Getty Images

A decade ago, a boisterous crowd of 13,000 erupted as Hurricanes five-eighths Jamie Cameron kicked off the Super 12 against the Blues in Palmerston North.

The interest that evening convinced Sanzar officials they were on to a winner with the international competition.

Fate or some sentimental planning has the same teams meeting tonight at Eden Park for the birth of the expanded Super 14. Links between the old and new series remain.

Highlanders coach Greg Cooper was the Blues fullback on that March evening in 1996. Highlanders draft forward Andrew Blowers scored the first Blues try from the bench, and Sky television broadcast the match live.

But retiring All Black captain Tana Umaga has the strongest connection as the only player in tonight's match who played in that original game 10 years ago. It is a remarkable tribute to Umaga's skill and endurance.

There are no questions about his place among the elite in New Zealand rugby, but there is supposition about the shelf life of the expanded series. Too early, too many teams, too much repetition, say the doubters.

Eden Park ticket sales in excess of 25,000 this week registered the pulling power of the match and the new series. The dearth of quality summer sport in New Zealand and the talent on show tonight helps explain the interest.

This should be a bumper game, a match full of talent and muscular action with the Hurricanes trying to build on the solitary win they had against the Blues in Super 12 in their final meeting last season.

New teams, the Force and the Cheetahs, will bring a fascination for their supporters, but whether the newcomers can cut it in the competition will be reflected in crowd figures when they leave their home patch.

There is widespread pessimism about the play-off chances of all but the Bulls and Waratahs from rugby followers in South Africa and Australia.

The Bulls have a useful draw and can set the tone this weekend by avenging their Currie Cup final loss last season. The Waratahs are favoured largely on the back of their results last season but are hugely reliant on individuals such as Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri.

The Brumbies have seven home games at what used to be Fortress Canberra, and if George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and company respond well to the selection gaze of new Wallabies coach John "Knuckles" Connolly, they could surprise.

Given the history of New Zealand teams and the depth in their squads, it would be foolish not to include at least two, perhaps three, in forecasts about sides to make the play-offs. The Crusaders, Blues and Hurricanes should be a shade better than the Chiefs and Highlanders.

Travel, injuries, the draw and quotas will all have an impact on the standard of rugby. Of greater concern though will be the effect of the referees.

Wisely, the best of those not on duty in the Six Nations will be in charge for the seven games this weekend.

But further into the competition there has to be concern about the quality of some officials and their ability to keep up with the speed and complexity of the game.