KEY POINTS:
Glory years: 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987-90, 1993-96, 2002-03, 2005.
2006 finish: 2nd (W7 D1 L3), defeated 30-15 by Wellington in semifinal.
Best result: 48-7 victory over Otago at Eden Park.
Worst result: 15-30 loss to Wellington in Eden Park semifinal.
Dearly departed: Andrew Blowers, Justin Collins.
Sick notes: James Somerset, Brenton Helleur, David Gibson, Jarek Goebel.
Holidaying in France: Joe Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava.
New kids on the block: Troy Flavell, Charlie Faumuina, Stanley Haukinima.
Shooting star: Wing David Smith has shown glimpses of his immense potential. The absence of Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko means he's certain to get his chance in this championship. Also keep an eye out for Benson Stanley, the nephew of Smoking Joe, who has now fully committed to rugby after finishing his studies.
Old stagers: When Nick White started playing first-class rugby, some of his teammates were about to repeat their first year of school. Halfback Steve Devine is the most capped player in the squad with 69 appearances. Lock Bradley Mika has also chalked up over 60 games.
Coaches count: As well as being the only coach in the competition whose name forms a proper sentence (verb followed by noun), Pat Lam is also the only head coach of Polynesian descent. Now in his fourth year, Lam backed up the 2005 title with a semifinal finish last year.
Quirks of the draw: Drawn apart from Harbour so there'll be no regular-season Battle of the Bridge. Also miss out on facing another big drawcard, Wellington. Home: Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Taranaki, Tasman, Otago. Away: Bay of Plenty, Southland, Hawkes Bay, Northland, Canterbury Not playing: North Harbour, Wellington, Manawatu.
Scouting report
A pre-season trip to Thailand means Auckland will be streets ahead of the rest when it comes to dealing with 40C match-day temperatures and even hotter pre-match curries. Not looking so flash between the chalk lines, however, having been touched up 44-21 by Wellington in their lone pre-season hitout.
Prospects
The mighty Auks have won 14 of 31 national titles since the concept of handing out a trophy to the best province in the country was launched in 1976 (roughly 100 years after the concept gained popularity in Britain) - which would suggest they'll be half a chance this time around. Probably the most settled team in the competition with just two new faces in the squad, Auckland can be expected to play with the attacking flair that has characterised Lam's three-year reign. One of the only sides worth watching in the early rounds last year as they racked up 47 tries, their expansive approach was found wanting at home to Wellington in the semifinal. Lam views that result as an unfortunate end to an otherwise successful season, so it's fair to assume there'll be no change of approach this season. Will definitely entertain but might just lack the polish to claim title No 15.
Prediction: Second. Should be in the mix when the choccies are handed out.
