Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the 14 sides which will run out over the next few months.
PREMIERSHIP
Canterbury
Coach: Glenn Delany (new)
Last year: Champion
Key player: Flanker Matt Todd
The oil: Lost a few but still with plenty of depth. Has the added burden of keeping hold of the Ranfurly Shield but players are still coming off the conveyer belt.
Question: How hard will it be to stomach a Crusaders-Canterbury double in 2017?
Prediction: Champion
Tasman
Coach: Leon MacDonald
Last year: Finalist
Key player: Utility back Mitch Hunt
The oil: The Makos have continued to collect some quality players and have a solid set of forwards. Veteran lock and Highlander Alex Ainley will lead theteam and it also welcomes back Jordan Taufua.
Question: How much will Marty Banks, who has departed for Italy, be missed?
Prediction: Semifinals
Taranaki
Coach: Colin Cooper
Last year: Semifinals
Key player: Utility back Stephen Perofeta
The oil: Taranaki has got back all the top Barrett brothers but may not see any of them on the field in the Naki colours. It tends tosplash the cash and that gets results.
Question: Will Cooper care now he has his next job at the Chiefs lined up?
Prediction: Finalist
Counties-Manukau
Coach: Darryl Suasua
Last year: Semifinals
Key player: Halfback Augustine Pulu
The oil: Always plays an enterprising style and with Tim Nanai-Williams back and Pulu looking for a big season could bea threat. Solid enough tight five.
Question: How many times will Pulu not pass when he should?
Prediction: Semifinals
Waikato
Coach: Sean Botherway
Key player: Prop Atu Moli
The oil: For all the Chiefs’ achievements, it has had little to dowith Waikato. The Mooloos are full of young players and guys on the cusp.
Question: Zac Gilford on his last chance for about the 25th time. Will it end in tears?
Prediction: Sixth
Auckland
Coach:Nick White
Last year: Sixth
Key player: Loose forward Blake Gibson
The oil: Lots of players as usual but may lack atouch of class. Big forward pack and Patrick Tuipulotu will want to make an impact. Speed out wide but has lost some quality players to higher honours and overseas.
Question:Dan Bowden was the big thing 10 years ago and we are still waiting. Is he the best Auckland have got?
Prediction: Fifth
North Harbour
Coach:Tom Coventry (new)
Last year: Won Championship
Key player: First five-eighth Bryn Gatland
The oil: Recruited heavily as lost a lot of players, with a couple of key departures in midfield back Michael Little and skipper Chris Vui.
Question:Last two teams to come up have gonestraight back down. Will it be third time lucky for Harbour?
Prediction: Seventh
CHAMPIONSHIP
Hawkes Bay
Coach:Craig Philpott
Last year: Relegated from premiership
Key player: Hooker Ash Dixon
The oil: Got on a losing run and never got out of it last year. Needs key players to stay on the field. May be the tipping point for some players if they do not perform this season.
Question: Will the overrated Ihaia West even start in the No 10 jersey?
Prediction: Finalist
Otago
Coach: Cory Brown
Last year: Finalist
Key player: Flanker James Lentjes
The oil: A solid core who have been together for a few years. Some talent in the loose forwards and outsides. Will miss some experienced campaigners.
Question: Will the absent forwards be too much of an obstacle to overcome?
Prediction: Semifinals
Wellington
Coach: Chris Gibbes
Last year: Semifinalist
Key player: Loose forward Brad Shields
The oil: Plenty of depth and young talent coming through. Could beat anyone on its day. But equally could lose by lots on another day.
Question: If your options in the No 10 jersey are Jackson Garden-Bachop, Trent Renata orDan Kirkpatrick, then how good can you really be?
Prediction: Winner
Bay of Plenty
Coach: Clayton McMillan
Lastyear: Semifinals
Keyplayer: Flanker Mitch Karpik
The oil: Has boosted its stocks with some impressive buys and there is some young talent out wide. Has a handy draw not playing Canterbury or Tasman.
Question: Mike Delany back to the Bay but is there anything left in the tank?
Prediction: Semifinals
Manawatu
Coach: Jeremy Cotter
Last year: Fifth
Key player: Flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
The oil: Will battle away and will be more than competitive. But may lack class when needed. Skipper Callum Gibbins is a big loss.
Question: Howmany times will the Bucketheads be mentioned?
Prediction: Fifth
Southland
Coach: Hoani MacDonald
Last year: Sixth
Key player: Hooker Brayden Mitchell
The oil: Southland is skinny on quality players and has to get the best out of what it has. A fair bunch on cast-offs and upand-comers.
Question: Howmany former Dunedin club players will line up for Southland?
Prediction: Seventh
Northland
Coach: Derren Witcombe (new)
Last year: Seventh
Key player: Loose forward Dan Pryor
The oil: Northland has potentially astrong backline but they have to stay on the park. Halfback Sam Nock needs abreakout year.
Question: Has there been aworse return to the country than that of Rene Ranger?
Prediction: Sixth