Brumbies
Last year: Won 9, lost 5, third, beat Hurricanes 35-28 in quarterfinal, lost to Chiefs 37-17 in semifinal.
Coach: Stephen Larkham (fourth year, second stint).
Key forward: Brumbies hooker Billy Pollard was a try-scoring machine in 2025, so an honourable mention to him. But the Brumbies will again need rampaging loosie Rob Valetini, poised on 96 caps, to have a big season if they are to eat at the top table.
Key back: Lightning-quick winger Corey Toole matched Pollard with 11 tries last year and led all Super Rugby with 24 clean breaks.
One to watch: Tane Edmed moves over from the Waratahs and the flame-haired first five will be eager to stay firmly in the Wallabies’ plans ahead of the World Cup.
Chances: The Brumbies have holes to fill with Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio and Tom Hooper gone, and star fullback Tom Wright out with injury until May. They also have a brutal draw with trips to Perth, Christchurch and Fiji inside the first five rounds. There is reasonable depth, though, and plenty of tough nuts to play classic Brumbies rugby.
Meikle’s prediction: Fifth.
Reds
Last year: Won 8, lost 6, fifth, lost to Crusaders 33-12 in quarterfinal.
Coach: Les Kiss (third season).
Key forward: Fraser McReight is not only a world-class flanker but he is the new Reds captain.
Key back: Not everyone is sold on Tom Lynagh, and he faces stiff competition from the returning Carter Gordon, but the young first five can be highly influential on his day.
One to watch: Dre Pakeho is among a wave of young talent coming through at Queensland and should lock up a spot in midfield.
Chances: The Reds had identical records in the past two years, so consistency is not an issue. Can they go a couple of steps further than the quarterfinals and send Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss out with a bang? On paper, there is no reason why not. Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto form an outstanding locking combination, and McReight and Harry Wilson are unmatched in the loose.
Moana Pasifika
Last year: Won 6, lost 8, seventh.
Coach: Tana Umaga (third year).
Key forward: The man with the magnificent name is now the skipper. Miracle Fai’ilagi scored eight tries in 13 games last year and had 766m in carries last season.
Key back: Former All Blacks and Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape is the headline signing. He turns 33 this year but is a good get for Moana.
One to watch: Not often a prop lands in this category. Keep an eye on the development of Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou.
Chances: No Ardie, no chance? Seems a bit harsh, but there is no question Moana will miss the peerless Savea, who made an immense contribution last year but is now on sabbatical. Losing both him and wonder winger Kyren Taumoefolau (to the Chiefs) is almost cruel. Depth is a concern, but Moana still have the likes of Semisi Tupou-Tae’iloa and Patrick Pellegrini to get things going.
Meikle’s prediction: 11th.
Waratahs
Last year: Won 6, lost 8, eighth.
Key forward: Pete Samu anchors a solid if unspectacular Waratahs pack. The former Brumbies loose forward and 33-cap Wallaby is back in Australia after a stint in France.
Key back: They no longer think he is a wizard on the west coast. Dashing winger Harry Potter has come over from the Force and will add to a Tahs backline that already looks decent.
One to watch: Hooker Ioane Moananu made a big impression at the Crusaders but has headed across the Tasman in a bid to get consistent game time.
Chances: The Waratahs are a classic wildcard team. Look at a backline containing Potter, Max Jorgenson, Andrew Kellaway and the exciting Joseph-Aukoso Sua’ali’i and it is hard not to tip a playoff spot. But the forward pack does not look nearly as strong.
Meikle’s prediction: Eighth.
Force
Last year: Won 4, drew 1, lost 9, ninth.
Coach: Simon Cron (fourth year).
Key forward: Carlo Tizzano led Super Rugby last year with 13 tries and was also in the top seven for tackles. The openside flanker just never stops.
Key back: Max Burey has flown under the radar, but the first five or fullback was named player of the tournament in the inaugural Super Rugby Australia competition that followed the main show last year.
One to watch: Nathan Hastie was just hitting his straps at the Highlanders when he decided to move to the city of his berth. The halfback has the goods if he can stay healthy.
Chances: The Force actually looked decent last year before finishing with a draw and five losses. Darcy Swain and Jeremy Williams anchor an outstanding lineout, Tom Robertson is a top-class prop, and the backs possess plenty of experience.
Fijian Drua
Last year: Won 4, lost 10, 10th.
Coach: Glen Jackson (second year).
Key forward: Lock Mesake Vocevoce was the No 1 target at lineout time for the Drua last year and he is a developing talent.
Key back: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is still just 22 but offers the Fijians a lot at both first five and fullback.
One to watch: Ponipate Loganimasi scored six tries in 12 appearances in his debut season.
Chances: The question remains the same for the Drua: can they win any games away from home? They are usually extremely hard to beat in Fiji, but that can only taken them so far. They had the worst defence and worst lineout last year, and oddly ranked second-last in offloads.
Meikle’s prediction: 10th.
• TOMORROW: Four Kiwi teams
