Super rugby kicks off for New Zealand franchises tonight in what is arguably the most intriguing competition for years. The Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Rugby titles but can they win three in a row? The Crusaders are the only franchise to manage the feat since rugby players began toget officially paid in 1996 but there is a real prospect of the Chiefs doing so - and with relative ease.
Why am I so confident? Simple, really. The Chiefs have quality in depth and a steely determination to keep winning that simply oozes out of the players and coaches. They are an impressive lot these Chiefs.
Head coach Dave Rennie has put together the perfectly balanced squad. He kept together most of last year's winning group and added an array of depth most franchises can only dream about. Back from Japan come former All Black Mils Muliaina - by all accounts in better shape physically than when he left our shores - and tough grafter Kane Thompson, while former Crusaders backs Tom Marshall and Robbie Fruean are my buys of the season.
The loose forwards mix is fundamental to success as they suffer so many injuries. The Chiefs head in to tonight's opener in Christchurch against the Crusaders without injured Bay of Plenty and All Blacks flankers Sam Cane and Tanerau Latimer but still field a competitive trio in Liam Messam, Thompson and Tasman opensider Tevita Koloamatangi on debut.
Another key in the Chiefs' favour to win the New Zealand conference and have home semifinal and final prospects is that the former powerhouses of the Crusaders and Blues are not what they were. The Crusaders have not won a title since 2008 and Dan Carter is on leave for the whole campaign.
The Blues will play Bay of Plenty's Chris Noakes as their starting 10 if they have any brains as the sideshow around Benji Marshall finally came a gutser on the beautiful playing surface of Rotorua International Stadium last Friday. Marshall looked so far out of his depth and is a shadow of his former self.
Noakes will not let the Blues down, will get field position and take good options.
Many people think this is the year for the Hurricanes but I have to disagree. Yes they will win some games in brilliant style with the talent they have but consistency? No. They already have a chronic injury toll and the draw has not been kind. They start this weekend in South Africa against the Sharks, then they face the Stormers at Newlands before the Brumbies in Wellington.
History also says the Hurricanes are not title contenders. Since 1996 they have made just one final so have nothing to draw on from the past.
Over the Tasman Sea, the lack of playing depth in Australia is plain to see. The recruitment of eight South Africans has certainly stiffened the strength of the Western Force, who will be tough to roll at home in Perth.
In South Africa, the Sharks under new coach Jake White could well surprise this year and certainly the transformation he made with the Brumbies in two years was remarkable. They got off to a winning start against the Bulls last weekend.
I can't wait for kickoff tonight. Bring it home Chiefs.
