13/02/2008 07:50

Wellington - The depth of New Zealand's rugby talent faces a severe test as their five Super 14 franchises go into the 2008 season missing 30 seasoned players from last year including 19 All Blacks.

In addition to the mass exodus of players seeking the higher-pay grounds in Europe and Japan, there's further intrigue with the split interests of coaching king Robbie Deans.

As he attempts to guide his Canterbury Crusaders to a remarkable seventh Super title, he is unashamedly conspiring to have the All Blacks beaten when he takes over as Australia coach when the international season starts.

In rugby-obsessed New Zealand the disappointment with last year's World Cup failure has heightened the demands for the return of Super 14 dominance after South African sides won both crowns last year.

Again New Zealand's hopes rest with the Crusaders and Deans - the most successful coach in Super rugby history but not wanted for the All Blacks job.

He has stressed his loyalties remain with the red-and-blacks and their quest for another title until the end of the season.

Compensated

"I fulfil my obligations here and then I start there," he said.

The Crusaders have lost All Blacks Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Rico Gear, but the astute Deans has compensated by luring mobile locks Ali Williams from the Auckland Blues and dual international Brad Thorn from the Brisbane Broncos.

Deans believes the five law changes being trialled in the Super 14 this season will speed up the game forcing a need for tireless forwards.

"Teams will out of necessity have to be able to go the distance for the full 80 minutes and that might impact on bench mixes. We may end up with sides carrying an extra forward."

But the Crusaders do not have an obvious back up for openside flanker Richie McCaw now specialist Johnny Leo'o has moved to Japan.

In pre-season matches, Deans has not revealed his preferred backline mix to cover the loss of Mauger.

Although it is expected the promising Stephen Brett will start at No.12, outside Dan Carter, Deans has also used the versatile Leon MacDonald in both positions as well as fullback.

Free to peak squad

The Crusaders' title chances last year were written off early when their top players were sidelined for the first half of the Super 14 because of All Blacks coach Graham Henry's controversial World Cup conditioning programme.

That plan has now been jettisoned leaving Deans free to peak his squad for the Super 14 final, even though the All Blacks play Tests against Ireland and England (twice) in the following three weeks.

New Zealand's other traditional Super 14 threat, the Auckland Blues, have lost nine All Blacks post-World Cup and although they have recruited flyhalf Nick Evans they will be forced to experiment with untried talent.

The Waikato Chiefs are the team least affected by the player exodus with ready replacements in Liam Messam and Brendon Leonard for the departed Marty Holah and Byron Kelleher.

The Jono Gibbes-led side's biggest problem is overcoming their habitual slow start, although their first three games against the Blues, NSW Waratahs and Wellington Hurricanes offer the potential for early points.

The Hurricanes have lost long-time figureheads Tana Umaga and Paul Tito but still have considerable experience across the board including their All Blacks loose trio of Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe.

The Otago Highlanders are the only New Zealand franchise to go into the new season without an All Black in their ranks with their losses including the potent front row of Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman and Clarke Dermody.

With new coach Glen Moore launching a three-year development plan it is hard to see the southerners matching their ninth place of the past two years.