If there has been one constant feature of Blues rugby since its introduction, it has been the amount of versatility coaches have been able to utilise from within the squad.
Coaches David Nucifora and Greg Cooper should find that nothing has changed in that area for the 2008 campaign.
They have the core of the Air New Zealand Cup-winning Auckland side to call on plus more than useful support from the high-flying Hawke's Bay side to call on.
As a result, no-one can be assured of his position heading into a season already been made interesting by the implementation of new laws.
"We've got a lot of positions that are up for grabs, so our training and trials will be really important," Nucifora said before the side's Tuesday training run.
Questioned about the possibility of All Blacks centre Isaia Toeava being given the chance to develop for Auckland, and possibly New Zealand in the absence of Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister, at second five-eighths, Nucifora said that Toeava had played well in that position in last year's Super 14 semi-final against the Sharks.
"He did a good job there before he got injured, so 12 [the position number] is one thing that we will consider for him," he said.
Nucifora added that Toeava had also been an impressive performer at centre for the side last year and that was still in the selectors' minds for him as well.
"We've got options - that's the thing with this team. So many boys play different positions and we've got to find the right combinations," he said.
Highlighting the mid-field and three-quarters resources he said that apart from the consistently well-performed Anthony Tuitavake there were players like Benson Stanley who had been very impressive and Jamie Helleur, who was working his way back well from injury.
Longer term injury concerns for Daniel Braid, Danny Lee and George Pisi were progressing well. Most of the players had presented themselves well physically for the new season.
"The majority have been here for years now so have got a better understanding of what is required.
"We are improving each year with the way we manage ourselves," he said.