KEY POINTS:
Glory years: 1978, 1981, 1986, 2000.
2006 finish: 4th (W9 L3). Def 37-31 by Waikato in final.
Best result: 30-15 semifinal victory over Auckland at Eden Park.
Worst result: 11-3 victory over Manawatu in Palmerston North. Surely one of the worst games of rugby ever played.
Dearly departed: Ben Herring, Luke Andrews, Lome Fa'atau, Ross Kennedy, Mahonri Schwalger, Joe McDonnell, Jason Spice.
Sick notes: Tim Fairbrother.
Holidaying in France: Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Neemia Tialata.
New kids on the block: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Robert Fruean, Tom Harding, Tone Kopelani, Api Naikatini, Hoani Tui.
Shooting star: Serge Lilo might be named after the Frenchman who invented the airbed but he's also a damn promising flanker who turned heads in his debut season. Should get the chance to make the seven jersey his own following the departure of Ben Herring.
Old stagers: Tana Umaga needs four more appearances to bring up 100 for the Lions. With Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison and Tane Tu'ipulotu also in the midfield mix, Umaga will likely feature predominantly as an impact player off the bench and as a slightly disgruntled old man in post-match interviews.
Coaches count: Aussie McLean came through the ranks at Canterbury before earning his chance in the capital. Somewhere along the way he decided he'd rather be known as a country than his real name, which is Brian.
Quirks of the draw: Beat Auckland twice last year and once already in pre-season this year but won't get another chance unless they meet in the playoffs. Also avoid Northland and Southland, thus missing out on valuable air miles. Home: Otago, Manawatu, Tasman, North Harbour, Taranaki. Away: Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty. Not playing: Southland, Auckland, Northland.
Scouting report
Hammered Waikato 38-all in their first hitout (they were leading 31-5 at the break before clearing the benches) then routed Counties-Manukau (85-34) and Auckland (44-21) to round out an impressive pre-season. Plenty of depth and class in the backs and loosies but the front row look light on experience. With Neemia Tialata, Joe McDonnell and the injured Tim Fairbrother all absent from last year's squad, John Schwalger will be expected to anchor the scrum.
Prospects
Traditionally slow starters, the losing finalists in three of the past four years won't be able to rely on the return of the world's best loose forward trio (at domestic level, at least) to bolster their campaign as the competition reaches its climax. A real favourite of that unrivalled bastion of commentary and analysis, Muzza 'Mr Wellington' Mexted - who should be around for the climax given his mob aren't covering the World Cup.
Prospect of shield challenge if Harbour repel Taranaki on first defence and then lose out to Waikato. Always good for a laugh, Wellington shield challenges. The 1982 curse of Wayne Smith still looms large.
Prediction: First. Tana to hoist one last trophy before riding off into the sunset to begin a new life as Women's Day's roving rugby and haircare reporter.
