As the end of October approaches, speculation rises about who will or won't make the final cut for the 2013 Super Rugby season, and this applies to players, coaches, and administrators.
Players are being traded, shelved, and enticed back from overseas in an attempt to put together a team that has a mixture of experience and excitement. As a result, players and their agents are keeping their cards close to their chests.
Rumours suggest players like Ma'a Nonu and Brad Thorn will cross paths in mid-air between Japan and New Zealand, while others like Hadleigh Parkes wait to see if the South African Rugby Union (SARU) soften their stance on a maximum of two foreign players per South African Super 15 franchise, which could see him playing for the controversial Southern Kings team.
Other players like Quade Cooper use twitter to hint a switch to league may be on the cards which is countered by the Queensland Reds representatives who are adamant he is committed to them.
In New Zealand, players are preparing to pack up and move north or south as they ply their trade while they still can.
Players in the smaller provinces hold their breath in anticipation as the ITM Cup season draws to a close, wondering if they still have a chance of making the draft selection process or wider training squads.
It would take an outstanding performance to turn the heads of selectors and coaches at this late stage, but one can always hope and dream.
While players are hoping and dreaming, coaches for each of the Super 15 franchises are also hoping and dreaming.
Those fortunate enough to hold on to or gain a job in Super rugby are keen to put their stamp on their respective franchises through the player selection process. Jamie Joseph, in particular, seems keen to get a few 'old school' players in the Highlanders, with the likes of Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock and now Thorn ready to toughen up the tight five.
There might be a bit of 'prototypicality' going on here in terms of selecting players who represent the qualities and traits Joseph himself was known for in his day, and it seems to be a formula that has worked for him in the past, so why mess with it?
A lack of prototypicality, however, has derailed once again the not so fortunate John Mitchell.
After being suspended from coaching the Lions, he once again finds himself in limbo land along with assistant coach Carlos Spencer. Spencer has moved on and is back to face another 'fight for life' bout to occupy his mind, while Mitchell is linked with a return to his former English Premiership Rugby club Sale Sharks.
Does a man who consistently meets resistance from his players reflect on why this keeps happening?
Does he consider changing his ways, or is it a matter of trying to find a group of players that appreciates his coaching methods and man-management style?
Perhaps the Sale Sharks appreciate his approach more than the ousted Golden Lions or struggling Western Force players did.
One thing is for sure, he has thick skin and doesn't seem to take these player revolts as a sign he needs to change careers.
The need for a combination of 'experience and excitement' in Super 15 teams refers not only to players but to coaching staff as well.
The revamped Blues duo of Graham Henry and John Kirwan is an example of this mix, and they are also de-listing, re-contracting and signing up players from all over Aotearoa to create what they believe to be the right mix of experience and excitement. Henry is happy to play second fiddle, but for JK this is a chance for him to prove his worth as a coach on New Zealand soil.
Administrators are also under the pump to prove their worth.
CEOs who have dual leadership roles with a Super 15 franchise and a provincial union, such as Hamish Riach (Crusaders and Canterbury), Andy Dalton (Blues and Auckland) and James Te Puni (Hurricanes and Wellington), may have to split their operations and appoint different chief executives and new boards if the NZRU insist the way Super 15 teams are managed and operated changes.
The Chiefs and Waikato are probably saying 'about time' as they did this several years ago, and from a provincial perspective this would seem the fairest thing to do. So, as the season changes, so too do the careers, roles, and responsibilities of those involved in Super rugby.
Gone are the days of job security, loyalty to a particular region or team, and long-term career stability. Professional rugby is a cut-throat and fickle code, and as a spectator and supporter I'll wait to see where my loyalties lie when the final squads are announced, the coaches prove their worth, and the administrators decide which house they want to be head-honcho of.
