KEY POINTS:
The first fruits of the expanded national championship will be plucked today when the country's 2009 Super 14 squads are unveiled.
The 14-team version of the national championship might be a turn-off for fans and a commercial liability but the strength of this year's potential draft class suggests it is at least performing its primary role as a mechanism for talent identification.
A draft that could include the likes of Air New Zealand Cup standouts Hikawera Elliot, Karl Lowe, Jayden Hayward and Jason Shoemark should go a long way to plugging the gaps created by this year's post-World Cup exodus overseas.
The Hurricanes region, which again enjoyed strong provincial campaigns by Wellington, Hawkes Bay and, to a lesser extent, Taranaki, should provide a good chunk of the talent in the draft.
Magpies hooker Elliot, for instance, could end up being a plumb pick if the back-up job to Andrew Hore he performed this year goes to livewire Wellington rake Dane Coles.
With the Hurricanes unlikely to name three hookers, Coles or Elliot will almost certainly end up exposed to the draft. The Chiefs, who have lost veteran Tom Willis, would seem a natural fit for either.
Midfield standouts Hayward and Shoemark could also struggle to crack the Hurricanes midfield, although the departure of Tane Tu'ipulotu could open up a spot for one of them.
Magpies openside Lowe is another who would provide a tempting target if new All Black Scott Waldrom and Lions fetcher Serge Lilo are preferred by the Hurricanes.
The emergence of Colin Slade at Canterbury means that, despite the absence of Dan Carter, the Crusaders have a surplus of quality first five-eighths.
Stephen Brett is likely to get the starting job despite his injury-blighted national championship and, if Slade gets the number two role, that will leave impressive Tasman playmaker Miah Nikora up for grabs.
The Chiefs have used Callum Bruce as a back-up to Stephen Donald but, with Tasesa Lavea having returned to the Blues, they could be in the market for another pivot.
The Blues look to have the most holes to fill with only 14 of last year's squad certainties to return. Despite the failure of any of the region's teams to qualify for the playoffs, most of new coach Pat Lam's reinforcements should come from within the area.
That core group of returning veterans will be boosted by the return of Ali Williams and former Highlanders flanker Josh Blackie.
Loose forwards Dean Budd and Peter Saili were the best players in an unimpressive Auckland campaign.
Overlooked by the Blues last year, Jay Williams' emergence as Auckland's premier line-out forward should see him get a Super 14 job for the first time. Hawkes Bay lock Bryn Evans was last year preferred by David Nucifora but he was little used and it would be a major surprise if the new coaches didn't plump for Williams, who has been a mainstay of the Auckland pack.
Another intriguing call will centre on the back-up hooker role. Incumbent Tom McCartney had a tough season with Auckland that was marred by line-out throwing problems, while Northland's Auckland loan hooker Francis Smith was a standout for the Taniwha.
Smith, who scored the first national championship hat-trick by a hooker against North Harbour, is extremely mobile but his slight 90kg stature could count against him.
Another Northlander in contention is wing/fullback Rene Ranger. Ranger out-classed his opposites when Northland beat Auckland in round 10 and has reportedly been offered a contract by the Auckland union, a move which suggests his elevation to the Blues is near.
Prop Tevita Mailau should also be picked after a strong season on loan from Auckland.
Harbour's horror season will likely limit its contribution beyond this year's incumbents, although former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth should claim one of the first-five spots and No 8 Viliame Mafu was given an extensive trial in last week's match against the All Blacks. Outside backs Nafi Tuitavake and Josh York could also be contenders.
Those who have made the cut will already know. Lam informed his players yesterday ahead of a squad announcement at 10am today.
