SOON after rugby's Grim Reaper claimed the World Cup scalps of the All Blacks and the Wallabies on the same October day, a New Zealand tourist in France asked an anguished question with his last flicker of humour.

"If there was a play-off for seventh and eighth positions in the World Cup, what would they call the trophy?" he inquired of a busload of Australians. "The Bledisloe Cup."

One thing is set in stone. New Zealand's Test coach Graham Henry will never again wade in with his chainsaw and carve out an All Blacks squad for half of the Super 14 tournament. With the influx of young, emerging representative players, New Zealand's franchises face a challenging and exciting new era.

BLUES: Australian coach David Nucifora took the Auckland-based operation to fourth position last year, but for various reasons they have lost no less than nine internationals, most significantly their giant, 46-Test lock, Ali Williams, who has joined Robbie Deans's Crusaders after his much-publicised dispute with Nucifora.

Also gone is another Test lock, Greg Rawlinson, placing more responsibility on captain Troy Flavell. The Blues' scrum remains formidable with an All Blacks trio in prop John Afoa (120kg), hooker Keven Mealamu and prop Tony Woodcock.

Nick Evans, the All Blacks back-up five-eighth, is back after four years with the Highlanders. His ambition is to become New Zealand's No.10, with Dan Carter moving to inside-centre. On the wing, Nucifora will have the superb Joe Rokocoko and Auckland-born David Smith, a flying machine who was a sensation with the Hurricanes last year.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 4th. Rupert Guinness 5th. Phil Wilkins 5th. Spiro Zavos 1st. Last year: 4th

CHIEFS: The Chiefs finished sixth last year, scoring over 100 points more than the Blues, who were semi-finalists.

However, since then they have lost Test halfback Byron Kelleher, lock Keith Robinson, openside breakaway Marty Holah and No.6 Steven Bates. Sione Lauaki is a dynamic back-rower, but with Tasesa Lavea ruled out for the season, goal-kicking pivot Stephen Donald is more important than ever.

Hooker Tom Willis will organise the scrum, but there remains a suspicion that the team's tight five lacks the ball-winning skills to be dominant at the highest level. But if new recruit Ben May with fellow props Ben Castle, Simms Davison and Aled de Malmanche provide the platform, the Chiefs have the wingers in Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga and fullback Mils Muliaina to destroy any defence.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 10th. Rupert Guinness 10th. Phil Wilkins 10th. Spiro Zavos 3rd. Last year: 6th

CRUSADERS: The ability of this franchise to retain important players and recruit at the highest level are crucial factors in its success. Since 1996, they have won the championship six times and been beaten finalists twice.

They have lost midfielder Aaron Mauger and lineout champion Chris Jack, but secured Ali Williams and Brad Thorn. From props Greg Somerville, Campbell Johnstone, Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett and hooker Corey Flynn, they have the hard men to tangle with the toughest scrummagers.

When Dan Carter was unavailable last year, they produced an exceptional goal-kicking five-eighth in Stephen Brett. The pair could form an exceptional partnership with halfback Andrew Ellis and outside-centre Casey Laulala.

Once again, Test captain Richie McCaw will lead a mighty team. He could give Robbie Deans a farewell to make Graham Henry green with envy.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 1st. Rupert Guinness 1st. Phil Wilkins 2nd. Spiro Zavos 2nd. Last year: 3rd

HIGHLANDERS: Of all the franchises, the Otago side has suffered the cruellest losses with Test front-rowers Carl Hayman Anton Oliver and Clarke Dermody, as well as five-eighth Nick Evans all leaving

They are irreplaceable. And with lineout winner James Ryan still injured, captain Craig Newby has an enormous task to lead the Highlanders to a respectable midfield position. Big, ball-running forwards Tom Donnelly and Hoani MacDonald will need to be at their best in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. New Zealand's franchise delegation system must be examined more thoroughly for the Highlanders to be reduced to this plight.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 13th. Rupert Guinness 14th. Phil Wilkins 14th. Spiro Zavos 10th. Last year: 9th

HURRICANES: Considering the Hurricanes without Tana Umaga (Toulon, France) is like having a cola without the rum and ice. But this team will be one of the forces of the competition.

Jason Eaton is back after major injury to be their lineout kingpin while their front row of Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore and John Schwalger is an All Blacks trio. Similarly, their back row of Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins is a formidable Test combination. Halfback Piri Weepu is still smarting after World Cup omission and centres Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu will provide opportunities for a pacy back three in Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford and Cory Jane.

Final four contenders, and perhaps higher.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 7th. Rupert Guinness 9th. Phil Wilkins 1st. Spiro Zavos 7th. Last year: 8th