We enter possibly NZ's biggest year of Rugby ever, 2007 RWC, and most pundits already have NZ lifting the coveted trophy; however, before this comes about there is the minor matter of the S14.
 
 With all the talk of 'conditioning programmes' for a select group of All Blacks, the Blues lose Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams & Joe Rokocoko for the first 7 rounds. Despite losing players of this calibre the Blues still start the season 3rd equal favorites with the Brumbies.
 
 As usual, on paper, the Blues cast a formidable shadow, but as we know from the past seasons, this has rarely translated into results.
 
 One of the biggest talking points pre-season is David Nucifora's statement that he wants to use former Hurricane David Holwell at 10, ahead of the talented and almost certainly RWC bound Luke McAlister and the extremely versatile Isa Nacewa.
 
 This in itself has created a bit of a stir amongst fans, and not only those associated with the Blues. Nucifora states that Holwell's consistent and back to basics style of rugby is just what the talented Blues outfit needs to control the often explosive players around him. 

Playing Holwell at 10 as opposed to McAlister who is seen as back-up, if not already usurping Mauger form the AB 12 jersey, as well as Carter for the AB's, and it is this reason that people think playing him at 10 would be better for the Blues.

As usual, the pivotal position is always the talking point in the Blues and is crucial to their success or failure, Carlos won, and lost many a game from 10, or was at least seen to have done so, more so in the latter form most South of the Bombays.

What Holwell does is draws the emphasis away form 10 and will hopefully let other players, such as McAlister, play a bigger role in directing play and spreads the load so that the Blues are not totally reliant on the performance of one player alone.

Up front the Blues are still able to field 2 former All Blacks, in Derren Whitcombe and Simone Taumoepeau, with current AB John Afoa knocking around also, add to that the vastly experienced Nick White, the Blues should, despite the messy scrum against Queensland last week, offer a stern test for any foe.

The locking dept. looks solid also, with All Blacks, and new Captain Troy Flavell settling in for his last gasp effort at going to the RWC, and Greg Rawlinson, also looking at his chances of a RWC berth fade away. However, after these 2 the experience and bulk dry up a little.

The loose forward area is another where the inclusion of a Northland player has created a little controversy, with Justin Collins being included, supposedly at the expense of former AB, Andrew Blowers.

While many may question his inclusion in the squad, he does bring that undeniable quality of Super Rugby experience, the Blues need the likes of Jerome Kaino to remain uninjured to see if he can fulfil his much touted potential, and the guiding hand of Gus will be invaluable for the likes of Kaino & Tololima-Auva’a as they put forward cases for higher honours, even if their chances this year are all but gone.

Former AB Angus MacDonald makes his long awaited return, but will most likely play a loose forward cum lock type role, unlikely to get many starts this season unless we see some early injuries.

David Gibson's recall at 9 comes on the back of a top season behind a struggling Northland pack last year in the AIRNZCup, and his battle for the starting spot with former AB Steve Devine should ensure the quality of play here is top notch, and include wider squad member Taniela Moa into the mix, and you have a very promising youngster waiting in the wings should either of the injury prone seniors fail to make the season end.

The Blues mid-field make-up is dependant largely on who plays at 10, if it is Holwell or Nacewa, you would expect McAlister to play 12, meaning hitman Tuitopou is going to be very unlucky and miss out.

Should McAlister start at 10, it lets Tuitopou unleash his fury on all at 12, and teaming up with either Anthony Tuitivake, Isaia Toeava, Ben Atiga or even Isa Nacewa could well form an imposing mid-field combination, provided Nucifora can stick with a combination and give it a chance to gel.

The question is whether any combination of 10, 12 or 13 can release the strike power of the back three, which could include veteran AB Doug Howlett, or speed merchants James Somerset & Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa, George Pisi, Isaia Toeava, and then on his return, Joe Rokocoko.

My starting 15 would be:
Afoa, Witcombe, Taumoepeau, Flavell, Rawlinson, Kaino, Tololima-Auva’a, Williams, Gibson, Holwell, Somerset, McAlister, Tuitivake, Howlett, Toeava

My decision to play McAlister at 12 is based on the fact that I believe he needs to play S14 rugby here if he is to be playing 12 for the AB's in the RWC.

On paper, that is, as usual an impressive side, no less than 9 who have worn Black in the past few years, couple that with the fact that is some really exciting young talent coming through as well, but as usual, whether this lot can turn up week after week and win is another matter all together.

John Afoa (Auckland), Ben Atiga (Auckland), Sam Biddles (Waikato), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Justin Collins (Auckland), Steve Devine (Auckland), Troy Flavell (Auckland), David Gibson (Auckland), Chris Heard (Auckland), David Holwell (Northland) Doug Howlett (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Angus Macdonald (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Isa Nacewa (Auckland), George Pisi (North Harbour), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), James Somerset (Auckland), Saimone Taumoepeau (Auckland), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Onosa’i Tololima-Auva’a (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Sam Tuitupou (Auckland), Nick White (Auckland), Ali Williams (Auckland), Nick Williams (North Harbour), Derren Witcombe ² (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf  (North Harbour).