2014 Super Rugby Kick Off! #SuperRugby

After a (short) summer break, rugby will be back on our screens!

Unfortunately, just like going back to school for the year, this means that the road to winter has started. Oh well, at least, there'll be footie to watch during those colder months of the year!

With talks going on in the background over the future format of Super Rugby from 2016, it's up to the 16 Super Rugby franchises to put on a good show over the next 2 years to show the already competitive and congested world of sport that Super Rugby is one of the very best in the world - I include the Southern Kings as they might very well be back next year at the earliest and certainly will be part of any expansion.

But for now, it's time to focus on the now, who will be contenders in each conference and which players will be the ones to watch.

Given the form of the last 2 seasons, expect the Chiefs to be right up there and be the best of a very tough and highly competitive New Zealand conference (not counting the Highlanders), and likely to be the best of Super Rugby again.

With the Chiefs having now got a double in their bag, the three-peat is the next goal for the Hamilton-based franchise that now includes the Taranaki - a big coup to sign a former major partner union of the Hurricanes. Expectations are higher now especially given the signings the Chiefs have made in the off-season including former All Blacks Mils Muliaiina who will offer experience as well as talent in the autumn of his career.

Dave Rennie appears to be the coach everyone wants to play for - his testament is loud and clear having seen the likes of Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam, Sam Cane etc. develop into leaders and world class players. The likes of Robbie Fruean and Jamie Mackintosh will be hoping that Rennie could revive their stalled careers and catapault them back into the All Black reckoning.

Their former franchises in the South Island have two different aspirations this season - the Crusaders are desperate to win another Super Rugby title - Toddie will certainly be keen to win a championship after 5 years at the helm, and more doubts will surface if he can't bring a title back to Christchurch to a team that has done it all in the past - while the Highlanders will be keen to improve on a shocking 2013 season and will be hoping that Ben Smith stays injury free and continues his golden run of form that made him an All Black star last year.

However, the power of New Zealand rugby might very well now be in the North Island. It may not be with the Hurricanes who despite having Cory Jane and Julian Savea, are set for yet another close shave season (something the stadium officials won't be too happy with given the declining crowds to the Cake Tin).

However, John Kirwan's Blues appear to be building something very exciting. It remains to be seen how Benji Marshall will go in rugby union - it looks like JK is keen for the former Kiwi and Wests Tigers star to lead the action at first five having played him there in both pre-season games. However, the Blues do have plenty of exciting talent including last year's All Black star rookies, Charles Piutau, Frank Halai and Steven Luatua.

So that's New Zealand - Super Rugby's answer to the NFL's NFC East or Major League Baseball's American League East (the one with the Yankees and Red Sox).

What about the other countries?

The Australian conference looks to have improved but still appears to be the weakest conference. With Jake White gone, it'll be interesting to see how the Brumbies go this season without Jake White - they do have Stephen Larkham as coach, and one who knows the Brumbies culture to a tee. The Reds also have a new head coach in Richard Graham but still have Will Genia and Quade Cooper. The Waratahs should be contenders too but really need to improve their brand of rugby especially given the talent at their disposal. The Rebels and Force will be looking for improvement and some respectability too.

So it's South Africa who will provide the stiffest competition to the New Zealand conference - they do have an edge - or handicap depending how you see it - this season of starting a week earlier than the other teams due to their international calendar. Jake White is back at the Sharks meaning they could be the team to watch if he can revive their fortunes quickly while the Bulls should be thereabouts as usual. The Stormers will be looking to improve on a disappointing 2013 season while the Cheetahs will be looking to build on their success of last season although Heinrich Brussouw's health is a concern.

How will the Lions go in their first season of Super Rugby in 2 seasons?

Finally, the Lions are back in Super Rugby. Don't expect them to achieve much after a year away from the action - survival this season is their main aim although that might very well come in their 2 match playoff series against the Southern Kings later this season.

So bring on another long year of rugby and given the weather in many parts of New Zealand, it's time for a sport that we can play in the wind and rain!