Super Rugby

As always New Zealand sides are favourites and bear the burden of some lofty external expectations.

Rugby reporter Joe Porter looks at what should be a watershed year for the new and old hands at the Super Rugby helm.

The Hurricanes are a stable unit, with an improved culture and record of success, their biggest challenge will be weathering the storm that comes with being defending champions.

Captain Dane Coles knows other teams will be out for retribution.

Bay of Plenty prop Aidan Ross and Counties Manukau halfback Jonathan Taumateine come into the Super Rugby squad, after Graham (fractured tibia and fibula) and Weber (fractured femur [thigh bone]) were ruled out for six months after both picking up leg injuries at last weekend's Brisbane Global Tens.

Halfback Brad Weber and prop Mitchell Graham will miss the entire 2017 Super Rugby season with respective broken legs.

It's understood Weber has undergone surgery after fracturing his femur (thigh bone) in his side's 12-5 win over the Crusaders in the final on Sunday evening and his estimated recovery time is a minimum of six months. Graham was also been sidelined for a similar period after fracturing his tibia and fibula, which requires surgery.

The Johannesburg-based Lions, who lost to the Hurricanes in last season's final, also start on the road but their journey is considerably shorter as they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein later on the same day.

Argentina's Jaguares will also be in South Africa on the opening weekend to play the Kings in Port Elizabeth, while the heavyweight Crusaders-ACT Brumbies and Stormers-Bulls clashes should also attract plenty of attention.

RNZ reports the Johannesburg-based Lions, who lost to the Hurricanes in last season's final, also start on the road but their journey is considerably shorter as they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein later on the same day.

Argentina's Jaguares will also be in South Africa on the opening weekend to play the Kings in Port Elizabeth, while the heavyweight Crusaders-ACT Brumbies and Stormers-Bulls clashes should also attract plenty of attention.

RNZ reports the team won 20-3 over the Lions at Westpac Stadium at the weekend, the first time they had won the competition in 21 seasons.

The parade left Parliament at midday, where Prime Minister John Key turned out for a photo with the team.

Fans are lining the streets to see the players parade down Lambton Quay and Willis St, with victory speeches to be held when the parade ends at Civic Square.

For long-time fans, such as Avril Ringrose of Plimmerton, a win in the final would be the perfect end to a season in which the Hurricanes weren't expected to match last year's efforts - especially after losing legends like Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Loni Uhila, Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes celebrate beating the Chiefs in the Super Rugby semifinal at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

"I definitely think they'll win it this time. They have to, as they're the only New Zealand team not to have won it."

Whiteley picked up the injury in the 42-25 quarter-final victory over the Crusaders last weekend and his loss is a blow for coach Johann Ackermann both in terms of his work with the ball and his leadership qualities.

The captain's armband moves to flank Jaco Kriel with the coach's son, Ruan Ackermann, taking over at the back of the scrum.

That is the only change to the starting line-up announced on Thursday from the side that thumped the Crusaders, though loose-forward Steph de Witt and scrumhalf Dillon Smit come onto the bench.

RNZ reports the New Zealand-born, Australian-raised winger already has played 86 Super rugby matches, mostly for the Queensland Reds between 2008-2013.

Ioane, who's played 35 tests, has since played for the Stade Francais in France and is about to return to his second season with the Honda Heat in Japan.

"I have had a great time playing in France and Japan, but the opportunity to be part of a New Zealand Super Rugby team is too good to pass up," said Ioane.

The recently appointed Crusaders Coach Scott Robertson said Ioane was a key signing for the team.

The hosts overcame one of the tightest defences in the competition despite appallingly wet conditions in the New Zealand capital, condemning the Sharks to the ignominy of being the first side to be held scoreless in a Super Rugby playoff.

Tries from prop Loni Uhila and fullback James Marshall in four minutes of the first half put the visitors well on the back foot and winger Jason Woodward and lock Vaea Fifita crossed inside two minutes of the second to seal the win.