Welcome to a new season of the Air NZ Cup.

The first game is Tasman at home to Taranaki. Tasman actually finished 7th, in the roundrobin, out of the 14 teams last year and they have a good record at home. So I am picking them to start the season with a win over Taranaki who finished 8th.

Friday night doubleheader features Bay of Plenty at home to Northland. There has been quite a disruption to BoP's season start with problems over their coach. However this oftens spurs a team on and they have a reasonable record over Northland at home. BoP were 4th in the roundrobin in 2008. That compares very favourably with Northland's 9th. My pick is the home team.

The more interesting game is the Ranfurly Shield challenge from Otago. They finished 10th in the roundrobin whereas Wellington finished 1st. Wellington's record at home against Otago is very strong so I have to pick Wellington to retain the Shield. I think it will be closer than the TAB odds.

Saturday starts with an interesting home game for Hawkes Bay. They finished 3rd in last years roundrobin whereas Auckland finished 11th - a very lowly position. Auckland have a young team & a new coach. However Hawkes Bay has never beaten Auckland in this competition and therefore I have to go with the stats and pick Auckland to win.

The next game is quite fascinating. Two new coaches (ex All Blacks & both very good players). North Harbour who finished 12th in last years roundrobin would want to give these new coaches a good win to start. However they are up against Canterbury, 2nd last year, with that man Carter back playing. North Harbour have lost more games, at home to Canterbury than they have won so I have to go with the Carter team. I think everyone wants to see him play well and soon be back in the AB's.

The final game on Saturday is quite intriguing too. Southland, who finished 5th last year are pretty hard to beat at home. However Waikato, who finished 6th, are a hard team for Southland to beat. In fact in 15 games in this competition, Southland have only beaten Waikato twice. So my pick is Waikato.

The last game of the 1st round is Sunday. Manawatu finished last in 2008. However they have a good team, a very good coach and the World Under 20 player of the tournament in Cruden. Everyone wants to see how he goes this year at this level. Their opponents have struggled for quite a few years in this competition finishing one place better than Manawatu in 2008. However Manawatu's record at home over CM is superior and so I pick them to start the competition with a win. Enjoy.

Good evening eveyone.

Well we have finally reached the final.

Before we go any further the answer to last week's question. The Crusaders have appeared in ten semi-finals prior to 2009. That's a very good record.