Time now to take a look at the North Island franchises, starting with the Wellington Hurricanes - who really have been the biggest under-achievers of recent years.

For at team packed with so many of the game's best, they certainly have not produced the results expected of them. They've come oh-so-close in recent years, only to slip up at the last hurdle.

They will once again go into the competition with high expectations placed upon them, and for good reason. They have one of the most exciting backlines, a very good loose forward trio, and some very useful backup players waiting in the wings.

With this said, there should be no reason why they can't make a good challenge at the title. The only thing stopping them is themselves...

For some reason they always seem to break down at crucial moments, which in the Super 14 you just can't do. It's a close competition, and there's always someone ready to overtake you.

The biggest hurdle for the Hurricanes will be going into the competition without an experienced first-five. Daniel Kirkpatrick looks like he has the goods, but he is very young, and has not played in the Super 14 before. Willie Ripia got some quality game time earlier in the year, but he too is relatively new and untested. This may see Piri Weepu spend a bit of time at first-five, as he did in the Air New Zealand Cup - which certainly isn't a bad thing considering how well he played. The only problem with this is the simple fact that Weepu is a much better halfback then he is a first-five...

Their outside backs will be something to watch, with Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, David Smith and Zac Guilford all showing their skills throughout the Air New Zealand Cup. Then, when you add Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Tamati Ellison into the mix, you've got one heck of a backline at your disposal.

Their forwards will be strong, and will benefit from the experience of their All Blacks like Andrew Hore and Rodney So'oialo, who will most likely captain the team once again. There are two newcomers to watch - Victor Vito, who showed glimpses of what he's capable of in the Air New Zealand Cup, but has also showed his inexperience at times, is an exciting prospect. And Dane Coles, who had a wonderful Air New Zealand Cup campaign, and has certainly put his name on the All Black selector's minds for the years ahead.

Any team boasting this lineup would be confident of lifting the trophy at the end of the year, and the Hurricanes will certainly be so. However, they will need to overcome the mental aspect of the game if they are to have any success in 2009. It's plagued them for so many years now, and if they can't shake it with this squad, they may never make it over that final hurdle...

Here's their full squad:

John Schwalger (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Tim Fairbrother (Wellington), Andrew Hore (Taranaki) , Dane Coles (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Bryn Evans (Hawkes Bay), Api Naikatini (Wellington), Faifili Levave (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Karl Lowe (Hawkes Bay), Victor Vito (Wellington), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Josh Bradnock (Manawatu), Alby Mathewson (Wellington), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Willie Ripia (Taranaki), Dan Kirkpatrick (Wellington), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Jason Kawau (Southland, draft), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), David Smith (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawkes Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington).