Waikato: Pencil the Mooloo men in for a semifinal berth

Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke will have more reason than most to monitor All Black selections.

They could drastically alter the shape of his side in the first half of the NPC, which clashes with the test season.

Waikato are not the only team affected by national duty, but Mark Cooksley, Marty Holah, Mark Ranby, Keith Lowen and Roger Randle are fringe test choices, so could still play a significant part early in the Mooloo campaign.

Searancke has already opted to name his All Blacks in his first NPC squad.

He says Wayne Smith and his fellow selectors have proved good communicators with the NPC coaches, but he also knows that in the heat of the test battles, Smith may delay making decisions on who can or cannot go back to their provinces.

It is a case of playing it by ear.

Waikato have top-drawer NPC class in all departments, and the province is undergoing a revival after providing the heart of a rejuvenated Chiefs side.

They will have a new pivot in David Hill, but he has already had the chance to work up a combination with Rhys Duggan during the Super 12 season.

Ranby and Lowen are burgeoning inside backs and Scott McLeod's power is another option for Searancke.

Randle and Bruce Reihana are two of the best strikeforces in the game, and Todd Miller is a threatening runner into the backline.

A full-strength pack will have power, although if Cooksley is missing and with Royce Willis a few weeks away from full recovery after a groin operation, they might open against Counties Manukau with a lighter-weight second row.

Cooksley and Jonno Gibbes are also aerial aces.

And in Deon Muir they have one of the finest provincial captains, although he will play out his career with the discomfort of a groin injury.

It is hoped, however, that it will not affect his mobility.

Waikato will be without the advantages that Rugby Park has often given them.

Their temporary home is at the city's main cricket ground, but the loss of the traditional base did not affect the Chiefs this season.

Chiefs coach John Mitchell's edict was that wherever you play is your home.

The verdict: pencil in Waikato for a top-four spot.

They are a constant NPC threat, even though they missed the cut last year.

This quality squad are a nice blend of experience and players on the rise.