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).

Today we're taking a look at the Canterbury Crusaders - easily the greatest Super rugby side of all time. However, there have been a lot of changes in the Canterbury region, and it's going to be interesting to see how these changes affect the Crusaders.

The biggest change is that Robbie Deans has departed, and we all know the impact he had on the side. Todd Blackadder has been given the task of filling the giant boots left by Deans, and while he has experience coaching at the provincial level, this step up will surely test his abilities to keep the Crusaders at the top of the food chain.

The biggest thing to Blackadder's advantage is that he has been able to stick with players from within the Canterbury and Tasman region - only Jason MacDonald has been drafted from Otago. This means the squad will be very familiar with one another, and will be able to gel together quickly. It also helps that the large majority of the squad have experience with the Crusaders.

Life at the Crusdaders will definitely be different without the likes of Ruben Thorne, Caleb Ralph and Dan Carter (off on his sabbatical...), but there is a lot of new talent emerging in the region - none more so than young Colin Slade, who proved capable of filling in for Dan Carter during the Air New Zealand Cup.

Thomas Waldrom has made the move down south from Wellington to help bolster the loose forwards, and when you consider that they already have McCaw and Kieran Read, it makes for a pretty exciting loose forward trio.

Whether or not the Crusaders can continue to dominate like they have for the past decade is any one's guess, but we don't expect too much to change. They may not be quite as filled with superstars as they have been in the past, but don't count them out.

They are the kings when it comes to Super 14 rugby, and it'll take something truly special to dethrone them.

Here's their full squad:

Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Bronson Murray (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Jason MacDonald (Otago, draft), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Ross Filipo (Canterbury), Issac Ross (Canterbury), Michael Patterson (Canterbury), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), George Whitelock (Canterbury), Thomas Waldrom (Canterbury), Nasi Manu (Canterbury), Jonathan Poff (Tasman), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Kahn Fotuali'i (Tasman), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Tim Bateman (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury), Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Adam Whitelock (Canterbury), Kade Poki (Tasman), Sean Maitland (Canterbury), Jared Payne (Canterbury), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury).

There are changes-a-plenty for the All Blacks, as they get ready to face the Scots at Edinburgh this weekend. Only three of the players who started against the Wallabies last Saturday will start this weekend - Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams and Stephen Donald.

Before people start talking about "rotation" again, let's remember that Graham Henry purposely took a large squad so that he could give the new players an opportunity to play at the highest level, and Scotland will definitely be the easier of the four Tests - although that doesn't mean they'll be a walk-over.

Liam Messam and Kieran Read will debut in the loose forwards, while Jaime Mackintosh will make his debut in the front row. All three have earned their spot after consistent rugby over the past year.

The biggest news is that Kevin Mealamu will captain the side for the first time in his long career. With McCaw on the bench and Rodney So'oialo sitting the game out, Mealamu is the most experienced player in the team, and he has experience captaining with the Blues.

Joe Rokocoko makes his long awaited return to the All Blacks after missing virtually the whole year with various injuries. It's going to be interesting to see whether he can continue his good form that he was showing at the end of last season.

Here's the full lineup:

Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Liam Meesam, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Antthony Boric, John Afoa, Kevin Mealamu (c), Jaime Mackintosh.

Reserves: Corey Flynn, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Cory Jane.