KEY POINTS:
Glory years: 1976
2006 finish: 7th (W6 L4). Def 46-14 by Auckland in quarter-final.
Best result: Beat Counties-Manukau 38-11 during the repechage phase.
Worst result: Hammered 45-27 by Auckland in round three and again, 46-14, in the quarter-finals.
Dearly departed: James Afoa, Simon Chisholm, Dan Goodwin, Jeffrey Ierome, Nili Latu, Aleki Latui, Hayden Reid, Mark Sorenson, Bernie Upton.
Holidaying in France: None.
New kids on the block: Jason Hona, Mike Ormsby, Culum Retallick.
Old stagers: Anthony Tahana (63 caps), Simms Davison (52) and Ben Castle (45).
Shooting star: New Zealand under-19 flanker Luke Braid scored a hat-trick against Thames Valley pre-season but didn't make the final cut for the Cup squad. Shame, as the rest boast about as much star quality as Rebecca Loos.
Coaches count: Kevin Schuler has stepped up from the assistant role following the axing of Andre Bell.
Quirks of the draw: A tough start with Canterbury away followed by Auckland at home. Three of last year's semifinalists travel to the Bay, but they at least avoid the champs. Home: Auckland, Northland, Otago, Southland, Wellington. Away: Canterbury, Manawatu, Tasman, Taranaki, North Harbour. Not playing: Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Counties.
Scouting report
Beat Manawatu but lost to Hawkes Bay and Waikato in pre-season. Afoa, Upton and Latu represent key losses to the pack for a team that has favoured 10-man rugby in recent seasons. Their replacements have come through the ranks so are largely an unknown quality.
Prospects
Should go okay but don't expect the Bay to win any spirit of rugby awards for their cavalier, lighthearted approach. The idea of professional sport as entertainment hasn't reached Mt Maunganui yet. But the pack always goes well enough, Jamie Nutbrown impressed at halfback last year after switching from Canterbury and Mike Delaney and Murray Williams are capable first-fives who tend to share game time. Out wider, it's a bit of a mystery. But centre Cory Aporo top-scored with four tries last season, presumably from successful kick chases.
Prediction: 6th. Will eke out the results but won't win many friends.
