A good set of forwards, an able set of backs, a reliable and accurate goal-kicker, and a winning culture.
And that is the big question mark when casting an eye over the Blues, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Chiefs. There is no complete side.
The Blues have plenty of speed among the outside backs and quality up front, but have little depth in the tight five, and doubts over goal-kicking.
The Chiefs have a classy set of backs but little experience in the engine room, while the Crusaders have lost a large group of quality players and also some guy called Carter.
The Hurricanes have plenty of good players but no clear cut first five-eighth, and may lack the mental hardness to go the whole way.
New Zealand sides have dominated the Super 12-14, ever since it started in 1996.
In the 13 years of the competition, New Zealand sides have appeared in the final 15 times.
Compare that with Australia's seven appearances, and South Africa's four, and it is a competition lapped up by the New Zealand teams.
The most successful team is the Crusaders, who have won the competition seven times, including three wins in the past four years.
But essential to those victories were coach Robbie Deans and first five-eighth Dan Carter.
Deans has gone and Carter was playing in France but is now laid up on crutches after injuring his Achilles tendon.
Also gone from the Crusaders are Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i, Campbell Johnstone, Ali Williams, Greg Somerville and Caleb Ralph.
That is a lot of experience lost, especially up front, but they still have the likes of Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Corey Flynn to call on.
Leon MacDonald brings experience to the backline, but one wonders why he is still playing rugby after so many head knocks.
Andy Ellis will be under pressure at halfback and it is his combination with Stephen Brett which could well decide the destiny of the Christchurch-based side.
The Crusaders are still impressive but not quite as daunting as a couple of years ago.
Further north the Hurricanes look a settled side, and have been in the running over the past few years.
But there are doubts over the side having the temperament to go the whole way.
Often the Hurricanes play their worst game on the biggest occasion.
Why that is would leave the most able minds stumped, and coach Colin Cooper could be running out of time to find out.
This is his seventh year in charge, and he has to discover the winning recipe soon.
If he was managing an English football club he would be long gone. As it is, he has a contract until next year.
The Wellington-based side has a strong tight five, capable and exciting loose forwards, good midfield backs and plenty of firepower out wide.
But it has Daniel Kirkpatrick and Willie Ripia as its options to wear the No 10 jersey and though he is loathe to admit it, Cooper will probably, at some stage, put Piri Weepu in the first five-eighth position.
Weepu is firstly a halfback, but has a good rugby brain, and knows how to steer a side round the paddock.
Also looking for big seasons will be locks Jason Eaton and Jeremy Thrush, while prop John Schwalger will want to show he is not a one-season wonder.
Hooker Dane Coles is one to watch, especially with Andrew Hore slowly coming back to fitness.
The Chiefs have recorded an impressive pre-season, beating the Blues, Highlanders and Hurricanes, and the backline, at full strength, is as good as any going around.
Fullback Mils Muliaina will captain the side, and will have around him game breakers such as Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga and Richard Kahui.
All Black halfback Brendon Leonard returns from a knee injury, which ruined his season last year, while Stephen Donald will want to prove he has the goods to replace the injured Carter in the black jersey.
But it is up front where the pressure is on.
The side has some new boys in its engine room and lock Kevin O'Neill, the chief ball-winner at line-out time, is coming back from shoulder surgery.
Sione Lauaki will want to make headlines with what he is doing on the rugby field, while fellow loose forward Colin Bourke comes back into Super 14 rugby after an indifferent year with the Highlanders in 2005.
The Chiefs have always been slow starters and face three of last year's semifinalists in the first three rounds.
Coach Ian Foster will be facing serious questions if his side does not get near the play-offs this season.
The Blues also have a tricky opening, playing three games on the road. But if they win two of those games, the rest of the season is set up.
The side, under new coach Pat Lam, has plenty of firepower out wide in the form of Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf.
Isaia Toeava will want to have a big season while Paul Williams has returned to his home town after time spent in the South.
But inside backs Jimmy Gopperth and Tasesa Lavea have been running hot and cold for years, and need to show more consistency, especially with goal kicking, to help the side win games.
Flanker Josh Blackie has returned to his home town, after a stint playing in Japan, and he is the key for the side.
If he had maintained his form of two years ago and stayed in New Zealand he would have been an All Black by now.
He should ably fill the shoes left by Daniel Braid.
Ali Williams' return is also a massive boost, as he has been in outstanding form for the past two years, although a back injury is a worry.
Keven Mealamu is captaining the side, taking over from Troy Flavell, now plying his trade back in Japan.
Captaincy style will go from one extreme to the other.
The rangy, loud and ill-disciplined Flavell is miles away from the quiet, diligent, and hard-working Mealamu.
The squads:
Blues
Coach: Pat Lam (replacing David Nucifora)
Captain: Keven Mealamu
Key forward: Josh Blackie
Key back: Tasesa Lavea
Last year: Sixth
Prediction: Sixth
The squad:
Backs: Paul Williams, Jamie Helleur, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Michael Hobbs, Tasesa Lavea, Jimmy Gopperth, Taniela Moa, Chris Smylie.
Forwards: Chris Lowery, Onosai Auva'a, Josh Blackie, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Kurtis Haiu, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Jay Williams, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailua, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney.
Chiefs
Coach: Ian Foster (sixth year)
Captain: Mils Muliaina
Key forward: Kevin O'Neill
Key back: Brendon Leonard
Last year: Seventh
Prediction: Seventh
The squad:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Soseni Anesi, Leila Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Richard Kahui, Jackson Willison, Callum Bruce, James Wilson, Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Toby Morland.
Forwards: Liam Messam, Colin Bourke, Serge Lilo, Tanera Latimer, Sinoe Lauaki, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Mark Burman, Craig Clarke, Sona Taumalolo, Joe Savage, James McGougan, Ben May, Aled de Malmanche, Hikawera Elliot.
Hurricanes
Coach: Colin Cooper (seventh year)
Captain: Rodney So'oialo
Key forward: Jason Eaton
Key back: Piri Weepu
Last year: Semifinalists
Prediction: Champions
The squad:
Backs: Cory Jane, David Smith, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Jason Kawau, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Alby Mathewson.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Karl Lowe, Faifili Levave, Josh Bradnock, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Jeremy Thrush, Api Kaikatini, Bryn Evans, Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Tim Fairbrother, Dane Coles, Andrew Hore.
Crusaders
Coach: Todd Blackadder (replaces Robbie Deans)
Captain: Richie McCaw
Key forward: Richie McCaw
Key back: Stephen BrettLast year: Champions
Prediction: Semifinalists
The squad:
Backs: Leon MacDonald, Jared Payne, Sean Maitland, Kade Poki, Adam Whitelock, Casey Laulala, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Kahn Fotuali'i, Andy Ellis.
Forwards: Thomas Waldrom, Nasi Manu, Jonathon Poff, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Keiran Read, Michael Paterson, Isaac Ross, Ross Filipo, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Bronson Murray, Corey Flynn, Jason Macdonald.
