Some of the older heads are clearly struggling. And one of the supposed power sides in the country is at the wrong end of the table.
But Steve Hansen says it is nothing new.
It has happened before and will do so again.
Hansen was in Dunedin yesterday speaking at the Otago Medical Research Foundation-Club Otago luncheon at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
He told the Otago Daily Times he has been impressed by much of what he has seen in the Super 15 so far.
"Some of it has been outstanding and some of the current All Blacks are playing well. Some aren't, but that is no different than previous years," Hansen said.
"Most encouraging is some of the young talent that has put their hand up and said 'Hey, look at me.'
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that our All Black squad is starting to age and that we are going to have to introduce some young talent in the next 12 to 18 months.
"How we do that is very important.
"There are probably about 40-odd names in the picture. It is a lot about what happens in the next few weeks."
Previous form would come into account for "those guys who have been there and done it and performed," he said. They had a little bit to fall back on.
"The young guys do not have that so they have to do a little bit more, I suppose."
Pressed to name players who have impressed, he threw out Hurricanes fullback Andre Taylor and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick, and said the inside backs in all sides were doing well.
But he is in no race to throw out all the wise heads and bring in a cast of youth.
"We can't afford to get rid of all that experience. We have got to win test matches today and then prepare to win tomorrow.
If we do not introduce some, then we have to introduce a whole lot at once and that makes it really difficult to win test matches."
The first test for Hansen is against Ireland in Auckland on June 9.
The first All Black squad of the year will be named on June 3, and there would be two short camps in the final two weekends in May, which would involve 35-40 players.
The camps would go from Sunday to Tuesday and would lay a foundation for the side for the coming year.
"It is important we do not clutter the players' [thinking] but nailing those few things which will help us play well."
All Black skipper Richie McCaw was progressing nicely as he recovered from surgery on his injured foot, Hansen said.
His other key man, Dan Carter, was now back on the field, but any chance of seeing him in the No 12 jersey for the All Blacks, as he is for the Crusaders at present, appears slim.
"To me, he is the best five-eighth in the world so why would you play him anywhere else?
"But I can see why Todd [Blackadder] is playing him there, in terms of the team, and where Dan is in his comeback, as it takes a little bit of pressure off his groin [injury].
"It will be good for him to see what the demands are in that position [second five], and that can help him in 10."
Hansen was in the crowd last night to watch the Highlanders take on the Blues and was not overly worried about the Blues' woeful start to the season.
"Last year it was the Hurricanes. Things are just not quite right and sometimes that happens in rugby. What ends up happening in that situation is everyone tries harder, forcing things and your timing goes.
"When you watch them [Blues] play that is exactly what is happening.
"The little things become really difficult to do. For some reason, you do not have any less luck or any more luck.
"You just do not use the luck you do get to your advantage because you are not in a mental shape to do that."
In contrast, Hansen had high praise for the Highlanders.
"The Highlanders been operating really well. They have done very well.
"There are not a lot of superstars in the side but a lot of good players and they play for each other. Jamie [Joseph], Simon [Culhane] and Kieran [Keane] and the whole management team are obviously working really hard."
The former Taieri High School pupil said the head coaching job was holding few surprises.
"Eight years have prepared you to face what is coming up. If I was brand new and had no experience with the All Blacks it would be bloody daunting. But that is not the case."
He says he has barely sought advice from his predecessor, Sir Graham Henry.
"Really, it is time to stand up for yourself. It's a bit like father and son.
"Some point you've got to leave the family nest and get on with it."
