Most All Blacks are conditioning themselves for pre-World Cup camps but the handful on active duty and those unwanted for France will attract plenty of scrutiny during the opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup.

With the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup secure for another season, attention should divert to what is essentially the new "grass roots" domestic competition -- but the black jersey is guaranteed to cast a shadow over the initial rounds.

The second edition of the revamped competition is launched without much fanfare in Palmerston North tonight, and with due deference to Manawatu, the spotlight will fall on a select few this weekend.

Otago's visit to Wellington is a case in point with tomorrow night's match in the capital dominated not so much by how Piri Weepu plays, but what he says afterwards.

A surprise omission from New Zealand's World Cup squad, Weepu's alarming slide down the halfback rankings has been the subject of intense speculation since the squad were named last Sunday.

Weepu has maintained a dignified silence since returning to Wellington training but he may offer his slant on the demotion after a match where another All Blacks discard, Ma'a Nonu, never even made it on to a reserves bench featuring Tana Umaga on the final leg of his farewell tour.

Otago, who recently lost Nick Evans and Highlanders coach Greg Cooper to Auckland and the Blues, also have their first opportunity to adjust to life without front rowers Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman as well as former captain Josh Blackie.

Offered Evans for a couple of games, the Otago Rugby Union declined on the basis of the first five-eighths' fleeting involvement being disruptive to established team patterns.

Otago were not alone in keeping their available All Blacks at arm's length.

Waikato coach Warren Gatland opted against using loose forward Sione Lauaki against Manawatu on fitness grounds while Auckland coach Pat Lam has given lock Troy Flavell a fortnight to get over his disappointment of missing the All Blacks squad.

Ali Williams plays club rugby, giving a Counties-Manukau side bolstered by Samoan utility back Tanner Vili, some solace ahead of their visit to Eden Park on Saturday afternoon.

Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley has included All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore for their match against Tasman in New Plymouth, tomorrow night's second game.

The home side carry contrasting form into the contest having beaten Waikato comprehensively before stumbling to Manawatu in their final pre-season outing.

Tasman may do it tough without a recognised playmaker and dangerous wing Lucky Mulipola, who is out for the season.

Ranfurly Shield holders North Harbour, buoyed by the re-signing of 10 players this week, head to Whangarei before defending the shield for the first time against a major union next Saturday when Taranaki visit Albany.

Coach Wayne Pivac's young squad -- Greg Rawlinson is the oldest at 28 -- have plenty to prove with a shield tenure and spots in the 2008 Blues squad on the line this season.

"This is only round one but (Blues coaches) David Nucifora and Greg Cooper will be there," Pivac said.

"Individuals will want to play well in front of the selectors and we want to get off to a good start."

Meanwhile, although Weepu may well do his talking off the field, halfback Andy Ellis will be looking to erase any doubts about his reprieve when Canterbury host Bay of Plenty in Saturday's night's late game in Christchurch.

Elevated to the World Cup squad after missing out to Brendon Leonard earlier this season, Ellis has three rounds to justify his place to a public querying Weepu's omission.

It will also be a significant match for recuperating prop Greg Somerville, who will round out the squad for France providing he proves his achilles tendon injury has healed before August 14.

In Sunday's game, Southland and Hawke's Bay have the opportunity to get an early leg up in Invercargill, mindful tougher challenges await.

Teams for the first round of Air New Zealand Cup rugby matches this week:

TONIGHT

Manawatu v Waikato at Palmerston North, 7.05pm

Manawatu: Matty James, Tomasi Cama, Johnny Leota, Frankie Bryant, Aaron James, Graham Smith, Joggie Viljoen, Daniel Alofa, Josh Bradnock (captain), Ray Allen, Hayden Triggs, James Goode, David Te Moana, Rob Foreman, Grant Polson. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Talau Hala, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Good, Siaosi Anamani, Francisco Bosch.

W aikato: Jared Payne, Sosene Anesi, Dwayne Sweeney, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Roy Kinikinilau, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Toby Lynn, Jono Gibbes, Nathan White, Tom Willis (captain), Craig West. Reserves: Vern Kamo, Aled de Malmanche, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, William Ripia, Jackson Willison, James Kamana.

FRIDAY

Wellington v Otago at Wellington, 7.35pm

Wellington: Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison (captain), Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Thomas Waldrom, Serge Lilo, Chris Masoe, Bernie Upton, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger. Reserves: Dane Coles, Hoani Tui, Api Naikatini, Faifili Levave, Alby Mathewson, Tana Umaga, Tane Tu'ipulotu.

Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Matt Saunders, Aaron Bancroft, Alipate Fatafehi, Callum Bruce, Toby Morland, George Whitelock, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly (captain), Ross Kennedy, Chris King, Jed Vercoe, Keith Cameron. Reserves: Silao Vaisola, Jeremy Aldworth, Uili Koolafai, Ezra Taylor, Chris Smylie, Chris Noakes, Brett Mather

Taranaki v Tasman at New Plymouth, 7.35pm

Taranaki: Scott Ireland, Shayne Austin, Mark Stewart, Mathew Harvey, Paul Perez, Kurt Morath, Brett Goodin, Jarrad Hoeata, Scott Waldrom, John Willis, Courtney Mackay, Craig Clarke, Hamish Mitchell, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn (captain). Reserves: James Annabell, Daniel Middlemiss, Tomasi Soqeta, Raymond Stark, Brendan Haami, Jack Cameron, Asalemo Malo.

Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Kade Poki, Andrew Goodman, Sione Holani, Afeleke Pelenise, Tim Taylor, Lualua Vailoaloa, Peter Nixon, Zane Winslade, Alex Ainley (captain), Rees Logan, Chris Bentley, Ben Franks, Mark Stewart, Tristan Moran. Reserves: Steve Fualau, Sakaria Taulafo, Kahu Marfell, Mark Bright, Tim Lempriere, James Foote, Blair Cook.

SATURDAY

Northland v North Harbour at Whangarei, 2.35pm

Northland: Hayden Taylor, Fetu Vainikolo, Leo Taliu, Dan Bowden, Rene Ranger, David Holwell, Corey Tamou, Jake Paringatai, Joel McKenty, Justin Collins (captain), Dan Goodwin, Brad Taylor, Bronson Murray, Tim Dow, Tony Coughlan. Reserves: Jamie McQueen, Tevita Mailau, Junior Gadolo, John Cocker, Josh Levi, Glenn Martin, Rhyan Caine.

North Harbour: George Pisi, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Jack McPhee, Tusi Pisi, Junior Poleleuligaga, Nick Williams (captain), Rob Colhoun, Anthony Boric, Greg Rawlinson, Ryan Wilson, Ben Afeaki, Tom McCartney, James Afoa. Reserves: James Hinchco, Chris White, Chris Smith, Tom Chamberlain, Daniel Deveraux, Michael Harris, Zar Lawrence.

Auckland v Counties-Manukau at Auckland, 5.30pm

Auckland: Brent Ward, Doug Howlett, Jamie Helleur, Sam Tuitupou (captain), David Smith, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Jay Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau. Reserves: Nick White, Charlie Faumuina, Brad Mika, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Tasesa Lavea/Benson Stanley, Ben Atiga

Counties-Manukau: Tanner Vili, Lelia Masaga, Male Sa'u, Nigel Watson, Siale Piutau, Troy Nathan, Kane Hancy, Taiasina Tuifua, James Maher, Kristian Ormsby (captain), Andrew Van der Heijden, Dave Duley, Simon Lemalu, Grant Henson, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Ilaisa Maasi, Poaloi Taula, Fritz Lee, Sione Kepu, Chad Tuoro, Tekori Luteru, Simione Saravanua/Nigel Staniforth

Canterbury v Bay of Plenty at Christchurch, 7.35pm

Canterbury: Scott Hamilton, Steven Yates, Casey Laulala, Ben Nowell, Paul Williams, Stephen Brett, Kevin Senio, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Kevin O'Neill, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, (captain), Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u Campbell Johnstone, Reuben Thorne, Hayden Hopgood, Andrew Ellis, Hamish Gard, Sean Maitland

Bay of Plenty: Mike Delany, Lance MacDonald, Cory Aporo, Rena Schuster, Anthony Tahana, Murray Williams, Garrick Cowley, Solomon King, Tanerau Latimer, Warren Smith, Aaron Rameka, Culum Retallick, Ben Castle (captain), Ngarimu Simpkins, Simms Davison. Reserves: Marcel Cummings-Toone, Matt Wallis, Aidan Kuka, Colin Bourke, Charles Hubbard, Wayne Hughson, Teu Nafe.

SUNDAY

Southland v Hawke's Bay at Invercargill, 2.35pm

Southland:

Hawke's Bay: