Monday's announcement of the composition of next year's squads is leading to some intriguing questions about who will represent the five New Zealand franchises as they set out to win Super 12 for the sixth successive year.

New Zealand's domination has relied on the performances of the Auckland Blues in 1996 & 1997 and the Canterbury Crusaders in 1998, 1999 & 2000. There are expected to be few surprises or changes in the Crusaders in 2001, although an interesting newcomer could be former Brisbane Broncos' league star Brad Thorn. He has played very little rugby union and would represent something of a gamble, but if he is included this would have to be taken as a very clear signal from Robbie Deans and Steve Hansen that they believe that Thorn can make an impact.

Ron Cribb and Glenn Taylor are expected to return to the Blues' fold, where they really should have been last year. With Robin Brooke expected to retire at the end of 2001, there is the fascinating possibility of him forming a locking partnership with Taylor so that Troy Flavell joins Cribb and Justin Collins in a formidable-looking back row combination. This could easily turn out to be the eventual test formation later in the year.

The Wellington Hurricanes will be hoping to build on their NPC triumph in 2000 and their squad can be expected to reflect that success. The Otago Highlanders are looking forward to the return of Jeff Wilson - and an All Black back division of Cullen, Wilson, Umaga and Lomu - and will be expecting greater coaching stability with the recruitment of John Boe.

Most interest, however, centres on the Waikato Chiefs and the composition of John Mitchell's first squad.There is a big job ahead for the former Waikato skipper who went on to become Clive Woodward's England assistant.His first priority , surely, will be to put out a pack of forwards who can compete physically and set the platform for the establishment of some sort of tactical control.Southland fly half David Hill has been recruited to replace the inconsistent and often unreliable Glen Jackson.