The Australians will again have one or two contenders for a Super 15 title. Steve Hepburn looks at the Aussie challenge.
The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Australian teams in the Super 15.
Players have moved teams, coaches have left, and imports have been whistled in from the other two nations that make up the competition.
But one gets the feeling the two heavyweights - the Waratahs and the Reds - will be the teams in contention when playoff time comes around.
The Brumbies did exceedingly well last year, making it all the way to the playoffs and going close in the final against the Chiefs.
But they have lost coach Jake White, who has gone back to South Africa, and his absence will be a massive loss.
Watching White-coached teams will never have you dying with excitement but they do what is needed - win - and his absence will have a big bearing on the Brumbies.
Stephen Larkham is the new head coach and Laurie Fisher is the director of coaching, whatever that is.
Captain Ben Mowen is off to France at the end of the season and that may affect his motivation.
Injuries always have a big impact on any team in the competition but especially with the Australian side, which lacks depth.
The Brumbies need to keep their top talent on the field and sides may have worked out a a way to get past them. Do to them what they try to do to everyone else. Give them the ball and keep them trapped in their own territory.
The Waratahs look like a team on the rise after a disappointing ninth place last season.
Kurtley Beale is back and if he can stay on the rails and team up with Israel Folau, then the Waratahs should not lack for enterprise.
The team has a big experienced pack and needs to convert a few close losses from last season into some victories.
The Reds finished in the playoffs last season but it was a stop-start season from them.
As usual, much will depend on Will Genia and Quade Cooper, but perhaps it is time for the Reds forward pack to start dominating games.
The Reds engine room has a fair bit of experience and hooker Saia Fainga'a is just one of many Reds forwards who have the runs on the board to make an impact at this level.
Over in the west, the Force has assembled its usual mix of fallen stars, overseas journeymen and rising prospects.
The side has been fighting in the cellars of the competition for the past few years and it is hard to see it doing any better this season.
Four South Africans have crossed the Indian Ocean to join the Force and they should stiffen up the defence and add some toughness up front.
A few players are entering the side through the Western Australian system and that can only be good for the sport.
The Rebels are under new coach Tony McGahan and have had a cleanout, with James O'Connor and Beale shown the exit door.
The side came good near the end of last year and is always a good watch.
But its defence has always been soft and that must improve if the Rebels hope to get anywhere near the right end of the table.
The Australian franchises
Brumbies
Coach: Stephen Larkham (first year)
Captain: Ben Mowen
Key forward: Hooker Stephen Moore
Key back: Five-eighth Matt Toomua
Last year: Finalist
Prediction: 12th
Force
Coach: Michael Foley (second year)
Captain: Matt Hodgson
Key forward: Lock Willem Steenkamp
Key back: Midfield back Kyle Godwin
Last year: 13th
Prediction: 14th
Reds
Coach: Richard Graham (first year)
Captain: James Horwill
Key forward: Flanker Liam Gill
Key back: First five-eighth Quade Cooper
Last year: Fifth
Prediction: Third
Rebels
Coach: Tony McGahan (first year)
Captain: Scott Higginbotham
Key forward: Lock Cadeyrn Neville
Key back: Halfback Luke Burgess
Last year: 12th
Prediction: 11th
Waratahs
Coach: Michael Cheaka (second year)
Captain: Dave Dennis
Key forward: Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau
Key back: First five-eighth Bernard Foley
Last year: Ninth
Prediction: Fifth
