What a journey the search for a new Captain Hurricane and Leo the Lion has been.

The month-long process definitely came with a few surprises, but we're pleased to announce the search has come to a successful end, with two fantastic individuals picked to share the role.

Auditions were held last week where eight finalists strutted their stuff for judges Reggie Goodes, Makere Bradnam (CGW) and former mascot extraordinaire, Nathan Lewer. Contestants were grilled with all the tough questions, before having to give a 30-second routine to Wiz Khalifa's Black and Yellow.

It didn't take a genius to realise the applicants were certainly all unique in their own way.

One half of the duo chosen from the auditions was 31-year-old father of two, Noel Dornan. Noel's an easy-going chap, who made the judges get up and dance during the audition so we could all point and laugh while we "watched them whip".

Noel said he wasn't sure what his motivation or thinking was when he applied for the role, but thought it would be a bit of fun and a great way to become part of the team.

"I wasn't good enough to make it into these teams when I was younger, and I'm way too ugly to be a cheerleader, so this was my way of being involved with the teams I love so much," he said on his application.

"I didn't think it would come to anything, then I got the phone call advising me I'd made the top 10 - that's when things got real."

Noel said his family and friends didn't believe he'd even applied, until he announced his success.

"They then started throwing comments at me saying "I would suit the role" and that "I was born for it". I'm not sure what that says about me."

The process analyst said he looked forward to working with the team to bring smiles to the supporters' faces, and cheering on the teams we all love.

"I look forward to seeing a lot of you in the stands waving your Lions and Hurricanes flags with pride and if you see me walking around, please come up and give me a high five."

Hiring the other successful applicant wasn't so straight forward, and it turns out he will probably be a familiar face, or name, to you all.

Having been Wellington Rugby's mascot for 21 years, Nathan Lewer decided to retire gracefully after the 2015 Super Rugby final. He kindly offered to help us through the process of finding his replacement, but after judging the auditions, it turned out he still had way too much love for his former position.

Nathan said when you do something for such a long time, it was always hard to pick the right moment to bow out.

"Obviously I'd thought long and hard about it before announcing my retirement, but after the final I started to realise I still had the drive and passion for the job.

"That was definitely confirmed during the search for a new mascot, in particular the audition process, so I had a long chat to my wife and kids and they told me to go for it if it was still something I wanted to do.

"I'm stoked the union has given me the opportunity to come back, and it will be great to work with, and share the role with Noel."

Action from last week's auditions will air on the Crowd Goes Wild tonight.