Wellington: Cullen, Lomu and Umaga hold the key

At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, Wellington's chances of retaining their title rest heavily on three characters called Cullen, Lomu and Umaga.

Get them all firing together and it is like target shooting with a cannon.

If they are not - which is not too often - then Dave Rennie's side have a serious hole in the game plan, and there is the lingering question of how Christian Cullen will perform after his knee problem.

However, things are not so rosy up front. The departure of Kevin Yates, Morne van der Merwe and the suspended Mike Edwards has propelled Sam Johnstone and Tim Fairbrother into the propping spotlight.

Loosehead Johnstone has played for second-division Marlborough over the past couple of seasons, and the 124kg tighthead Fairbrother was in the world champion national under-19 side.

Waiting in the wings are the experienced Tony Coughlan and Kas Lealamanua, but it is the area where Wellington appear shaky.

Kupu Vanisi, who missed almost all the Super 12 with a cracked kneecap, is due back to complete a classy loose forward line-up of Rodney So'oialo, Filo Tiatia and All Black Jerry Collins, who may even be available for the early games.

Wellington rugby has a strong vein of continuity now, to the point that Rennie is assisted by Graham Mourie, and they switch about for the Hurricanes.

The real consistency Wellington will want to show is that last year's NPC triumph was not a one-hit wonder.