NPC lineup

By CHRIS RATTUE

NORTHLAND

PLUSES: Scarce as All Black tries. Hayden Taylor returns - a strong suit in this company.

MINUSES: Your pick. Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Norm Berryman, Jason Shoemark, Glenn Taylor, Mose Tuiali'i, Tim Knight etc gone.

CATCH CRY: Help!

GOOD ADVICE: Shut your eyes at the Dunedin, Christchurch and Hamilton games.

PROSPECTS: Read 2003. Distant 10th.

NORTH HARBOUR

PLUSES: Sparky backs, steady pack. Newcomer Steve Jackson a lineout steal. Luke McAlister's year?

MINUSES: Back defence; Ron Cribb, Troy Flavell, Matua Parkinson, Tevita Taumoepeau, Chad Alcock, Karl TeNana, Blair Larsen gone.

CATCH CRY: Remember the basics.

GOOD ADVICE: Hold all bets.

PROSPECTS: Mid table, again.

AUCKLAND

PLUSES: Talent to burn. All Blacks galore, if used.

MINUSES: Too many rookies might spoil the trot. Vague on All Black participation.

CATCH CRY: Make the ball available.

OUR ADVICE: Handle with care.

PROSPECTS: With test players, nice ride. Without, needs test drive.

WAIKATO

PLUSES: Strong NPC history. Super 12 confidence. Byron Kelleher and Sitiveni Sivivatu. Coach John Mitchell.

MINUSES: Medical misadventures.

CATCH CRY: Get down in the trenches.

OUR ADVICE: Solid bets.

PROSPECTS: Power into the semis, power down from there if injuries don't mend.

BAY OF PLENTY


PLUSES: Growing confidence. Gained Adrian Cashmore and Rua Tipoki. Settled pack rucks and rolls.

MINUSES: Lost the shock factor. Opponents armed and waiting.

CATCH CRY: We're not one-hit wonders.

OUR ADVICE: Reality check is the mail.

PROSPECTS: Will struggle to match 2003's fifth spot.

TARANAKI

PLUSES: Stung by last year's failure. Coach Kieran Crowley should have more of a clue.

MINUSES: Rot set in last year. Lack of the X-factor.

CATCH CRY: All hands on deck.

OUR ADVICE: Don't hold your breath.

PROSPECTS: A lot better than Northland's.

WELLINGTON

PLUSES: Might relish new era (no Kupu Vanisi, Christian Cullen, Jason Spice, Pita Alatini, Paul Steinmetz, Jonah Lomu).

MINUSES: Then again, that's quite a list. Wellington prefer World Cup years.

CATCH CRY: It's a fresh start.

OUR ADVICE: Expect the miraculous, but not miracles.

PROSPECTS: Fifth (you get the idea)

CANTERBURY

PLUSES: Reputations on the line. Fewer All Black losses. Forward might.

MINUSES: Joe Maddock, Mark Robinson, Scott Robertson, Mark Hammett gone.

CATCH CRY: A call to arms.

OUR ADVICE: Don't mess with.

PROSPECTS: Plenty of black, not much red. Our title pick.

OTAGO

PLUSES: Ball running, test-class pack - Anton Oliver's mobile army.

MINUSES: Kelleher, Tony Brown, Kelvin Middleton, Tom Willis out. Limited lineout. Backs not to the front.

CATCH CRY: Never let a chance go by.

OUR ADVICE: Don't plan any street parades.

PROSPECTS: Homeland security, foreign despairs.

SOUTHLAND

PLUSES: Invercargill. Paul Miller - No 8 fire? Old Crusader Andy Miller - snappy Jap import.

MINUSES: Steve Jackson and Ben Herring gone. Stunts don't match grunt. Opponents now wary.

CATCH CRY: All for one, one for all.

OUR ADVICE: Visitors, bring more than a warm jacket.

PROSPECTS: Southern reverse.


NPC points table

NPC fixtures