The Blues are on the rise, the Chiefs have some class, the Hurricanes are the defending champions and the Crusaders are always in the mix.
It really is a tough call to pick who is going to come out on top in the New Zealand conference of Super Rugby.
Last season, the Chiefs were sitting top of the ladder going into the last game of the regular season but they lost and found themselves back in sixth.
Much can be made about losses in the final couple of rounds but performances over the whole season ultimately decide the positions in the playoffs and the hard-won, and often very valuable, home advantage.
The Chiefs are always going to be in contention. They have some real quality players and have plenty of speed out wide.
It is Aaron Cruden's swansong and he is still the key to the Chiefs' performance. He guides the team round the park and pulls the strings.
The loss of halfback Brad Weber is a blow as Tawera Kerr-Barlow has often been injured over the past couple of years.
The Chiefs should be strong at the set piece and, with plenty of pace out wide, will again ask plenty of questions.
Up the road, there is some confidence at the Blues that after years of being in the doldrums the side has turned the corner.
Big names have been shipped in and there is some steel in the forward pack. Loose forwards such as Jerome Kaino and Akira Ioane have plenty of size and strength while Steven Luatua, you would think, has plenty to prove.
Halfback Augustine Pulu has arrived but he must learn to distribute better, Rene Ranger looked tired and inaccurate at the tens while the big question is whether Sonny Bill Williams will come back the same. Time marches on for every man.
Winning away from home is big for the Blues and down this way there is interest in the performance of Michael Collins, who is having his first crack at this level.
In the capital, the Hurricanes will set out to win back-to-back titles.
That is not going to be easy. Much revolves around the form of Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara and whether they can stay on the field.
A few players really took a step up last year and one wonders if they can do that again.
Nehe Milner-Skudder is back and will be dangerous along with new boy, the much hyped Jordie Barrett.
In Canterbury, the Crusaders have a new coaching team and will once again be strong up front.
But Kieran Read is out to start with and Andy Ellis has also moved on. He is a bigger loss than many think as is winger Nemani Nadolo.
He was one of the main attacking weapons for the Crusaders and they may lack some spark in the backline.