The Australian challenge has been expanded with the arrival of the new Melbourne Rebels. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn take a look at the chances of the Australian sides and whether the new side will indeed cause a stir or be quickly tossed aside.
The Australians were the real winners in the expansion of the competition to 15 teams.
Not only did they get a new side in the Melbourne Rebels but they also got a longer season, which is all important to Australian rugby which has no domestic competition to speak of, and fights fiercely with other winter sporting codes for attention.
A side like the Waratahs also now has the bonus of getting to play both the Rebels and the Force twice, instead of facing up to the Hurricanes and the Stormers.
So it is advantage Australia, which is somewhat strange considering how insignificant rugby is in Australia, compared with the other two counties in Sanzar.
The Rebels will at least be interesting. They are a patched up side with players coming from all corners of the globe. They have plenty of experience with the likes of Greg Somerville and Adam Frier up front while out the back there is the potential of Danny Cipriani and Luke Rooney.
The big question is whether they can gel quickly and manage to log a few wins.
But will anyone turn up to watch in the Australian football-mad city?
Rugby league's Storm grabbed success, almost instantly, and sometimes corruptly, but still the crowds were not massive. It is hard to see them rolling up in masses to see the Rebels.
Further north, the Waratahs have made few changes to their team. One of the more boring sides in the competition, it managed to get into the semifinals last year but was not an exciting watch.
The Waratahs welcome back Wycliff Palu from a knee injury and Phil Waugh will bandage himself up for another year.
With the likes of wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner, and fullback Kurtley Beale, it is hoped the ball is given more air in Sydney.
The Reds surprised last year, finishing in fifth position on the coat-tails of inside-back combination Quade Cooper and Will Genia.
Cooper virtually ran games last year and there are few in the game who can match his attacking ability. Further out they have the speed of Rod Davies and Digby Ioane to convert the chances created. Give the backline room and it will cut you to shreds.
But sides may have cottoned on to Cooper's poor defence and the Reds could feel the loss of flanker Daniel Braid.
The Brumbies campaign is under an injury cloud with Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom fighting a serious hamstring injury.
Matt Giteau faces a big year. His test jersey is under threat, his best years may be behind him and he is linking with Toulon. He has been handed the captaincy and has he got one season left in him to send the Brumbies to the play-offs.
George Smith has gone to France and leaves a big hole to fill.
The Force are Mitch-less now and new coach Richard Graham will take charge of the team along with former league star Phil Blake, who will look after the defence.
The side, when it can get everybody on the paddock, can be competitive. James O'Connor is really starting to bloom as is David Pocock but one wonders if Willie Ripia is the man to set the backline alight. David Smith has plenty to play for after being jettisoned from first the Blues, then the Hurricanes.
Nathan Sharpe will lead a competitive forward pack but there are doubts about its ability to step up when the heat is on.
~ AUSTRALIAN SUPER 15 TEAMS ~
Waratahs
• Coach: Chris Hickey (third year)
• Captain: Phil Waugh
• Key forward: No 8 Wycliff Palu
• Key back: Fullback Kurtley Beale
• Last year: Semifinalist
• Prediction: Fourth
Reds
• Coach: Ewen McKenzie (second year)
• Captain: James Horwill
• Key forward: Horwill
• Key back: First five-eighth Quade Cooper
• Last year: Fifth
• Prediction: Sixth
Rebels
• Coach: Rod McQueen
• Captain: Stirling Mortlock
• Key forward: Greg Somerville
• Key back: Utility James Hilgendorf
• Last year: N/A
• Prediction: 13th
Force
• Coach: Richard Graham (replaces John Mitchell)
• Captain: Nathan Sharpe
• Key forward: No 8 Richard Brown
• Key back: Fullback/wing Cameron Shepherd
• Last year: 13th
• Prediction: 14th
Brumbies
• Coach: Andy Friend (third year)
• Captain: Matt Giteau
• Key forward: Lock Mark Chisholm
• Key back: Halfback Josh Valentine
• Last year: Sixth
• Prediction: Eighth
