Highlanders

Coach: Tony Brown
Ground: Forsyth Barr Stadium

Key players in:
Siate Tokolahi (Chiefs), Tevita Li (Blues)

Key players out:
Fumiaki Tanaka (Sunwolves), Mark Reddish (Harlequins), Ross Geldenhuys (Kings), Josh Hohneck (Gloucester)

Strengths:
Much like the Hurricanes, their 2016 squad is still in tact. With their free flowing rugby style set to enthral crowds once again, they will be a hard nut to crack for any team, wherever they play this season.

Weaknesses:
One of Otago’s favourite sons, Tony Brown has been named to step into the head coach’s role, but for only one season before he follows his predecessor to Japan in 2018. Its not an ideal situation for the Highlanders and could hurt them somewhat.

Player to watch:
Lima Sopoaga – With Aaron Cruden set to move abroad at the end of the season, Sopoaga will look to keep current All Black’s first choice flyhalf Beauden Barrett on his toes with some impressive performances in 2017.

Last season: Semi-finals

Prediction:
The Highlanders have plenty talent and experience to make it to the play-offs. However with the amount of competition in this years tournament, they will end their hopes of claiming back the title in the semis. Semi Finals.

Hurricanes

Coach: Chris Boyd
Ground: Westpac Stadium

Key players in:
Sam Louis (Waratahs), Jordie Barrett (Canterbury), Ben Lam (Blues)

Key players out:
Jason Woodward (Bristol), James Marshall (London Irish), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Victor Vito (La Rochelle), Motu Matu’u (Gloucester)

Strengths:
Of their starting XV that faced the Lions in the 2016 final, only Vito and Halaholo have moved on. They ooze quality from 1 through to 15, and will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Their defense is flawless which saw the men from Wellington progress through the knockout stages in 2016, without conceding a try.

Weaknesses:
They’ve lost Victor Vito and will be without Vaea Fifita for the early part of the season and with Lock James Broadhurst set to miss the duration, the Canes may have a few minor hiccups in the pack than they would of liked.

Player to watch:
Nehe Milner-Skudder – Fan favorite with his sparkling feet, the All Black international unfortunately missed most of 2016 through injury. He is back, and with a good showing at the Brisbane 10’s, he will be eager to get back into the thick of things from the get go.

Last season: 1st.

Prediction:
They will look to achieve what the Blues, Crusaders, Bulls and Chiefs have done previously, and win for the second time in a row. Back to back titles are not unheard of and its not beyond them to do it again. Finalists.

Blues

Coach: Tana Umanga
Ground: Eden Park

Key players in:
Pauliasi Manu (Chiefs), Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), Augustine Pulu (Chiefs), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)

Key players out:
Josh Bekhuis (Lyon), Tanerau Latimer (Bayonne), Bryn Hall (Crusaders), Ben Lam (Hurricanes), Tevita Li (Highlanders), Quentin MacDonald (Oyonnax).

Strengths:
Tana Umanga has managed to lure in some big names to the City of Sails with Sonny Bill Williams and Augustine Pulu headlining the transfers. With an All Black loaded pack and a plethora of talent in the backs, the Blues will be a lot of fun to watch.

Weaknesses:
2016 saw them win just one game out of six against all New Zealand competition. They will need to improve their local derby track record in 2017 if they want to challenge for play-offs this season.

Player to watch:
Sonny Bill Williams – All eyes will be on him when he returns from a ruptured achilles about six weeks into the competition. If he is able to replicate the form he was in before his injury, he’ll make a huge impact at centre, and a treat to watch for Blues fans.

Last season: 11th.

Prediction:
They have recruited well but making it out of the most competitive pool is a stretch too far for the Auckland boys. 9th.

Chiefs

Coach: Dave Rennie
Ground: Waikato Stadium

Key players in:
Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh Black Rams)

Key players out:
Pauliasi Manu (blues), Siate Tokolahi (Highlanders), Ma’ama Vaipulu (Castres), Augustine Pulu (Blues), Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders), Sonny Bill Williams (Blues), Andrew Horrell (Coca-Cola Red Sparks)

Strengths:
They play a great brand of rugby. The Chiefs showed in winning the Brisbane 10s a fortnight ago that they have a potent strike force, spearheaded by Damien McKenzie, along with Aaron Cruden and recent signing Nanai-Williams. They also have a great forward pack who are all comfortable with ball in hand.

Weaknesses:
From having three outstanding scrum halves they’re down to just one. With Brad Weber out injured for six months and Pulu departing for the Blues, it might be a lot to ask from just Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Player to watch:
Damien McKenzie – the electric fullback will be hugely influential yet again in his sides attempt to lift the Super Rugby trophy for the first time since 2013. In 2016 he led the stats in carries, clean breaks and defenders beaten, and will look to impress once again in 2017.

Last season: Semi Finals.

Prediction:
Losing Weber is big blow, and with the departure of Tamanivalu, the Chiefs might be pipped at the post by their New Zealand counterparts. Quarter Finals.

Crusaders

Coach: Scott Robertson
Ground: AMI Stadium

Key players in:
Digby Ioane (Honda Heat), Seta Tamanivalu (Chiefs), Tim Bateman (Coca-Cola Red Sparks), Bryn Hall (Blues)

Key players out:
Jimmy Tupou (Blues), Andy Ellis (Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers), Ben Volavola (Rebels), Robbie Fruen (Bath), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Nemani Nadolo (Montpellier)

Strengths:
A dozen All Blacks, including a core of tight forwards look impressive. They are also blessed with loosies Matt Todd, Kieran Read and Jordan Taufua, up their with the best in the competition. This Crusaders squad definitely has an abundance of skill and talent available.

Weaknesses:
They’ve lost their big strike weapon in Nemani Nandolo, which will force them to look elsewhere for tries this season. A new coach and the Lions series in June, the Crusaders will need to adapt this year if they are to compete for Southern Hemisphere’s top honours. They will also be without skipper Kieran Read for the first 5 weeks after wrist surgery.

Player to watch:
Israel Dagg – Fresh from a new deal that will see him stay in New Zealand, despite rumours suggesting he might head to France. With the Lions series in June, don’t be surprised to see Dagg in some of his best form to date.

Last season: Quarter Finals

Prediction:
The Crusaders, who have won the title a record 7 times, have not won the title since 2008. They are my pick to challenge the Hurricanes right till the very end this season. This may be the first time in the post McCaw and Carter era we actually see the Crusaders really challenge for the tournaments top honours. Finalists.

By Tristan Renaud