KEY POINTS:
In exactly one month, New Zealand's Super 14 teams will play pre-season games. They will, of course, have to do so without 22 of the country's best players who will be undertaking three-month fitness programmes.
There isn't much time, then, for the five franchises to get their houses in order and work out just how they are going to cope without their respective absentees.
So, as it's Christmas and the season of goodwill and all that, we at the Herald on Sunday thought we would give the five coaches a hand.
Blues
Missing: Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu and Joe Rokocoko.
The Blues can count themselves a little fortunate that their list of absentees is not more extensive.
Fortunately the All Black coaching panel took the view that Luke McAlister - an almost definite World Cup squad member - would be better served taking control of the backline rather than working on his physical development, while Doug Howlett's self-sufficiency on the training front led to his exclusion.
Covering three of the four spots shouldn't be so hard. Saimone Taumoepeau has test experience at loosehead and can be a devastating runner when given the opportunity.
He doesn't offer quite the same range of skills as Woodcock but he's handy enough and will possibly blossom as a consequence of extended game time.
Derren Witcombe is a former All Black hooker and before his serious neck injury last year was regularly forcing his way past Mealamu into the starting XV.
Strong in the scrum and accurate on the touchline, Witcombe will ensure that Mealamu is not missed too much.
Isa Nacewa will probably be granted some regular time in the No 11 jersey, with James Somerset another prospect. Don't rule out Isaia Toeava making the occasional appearance there either. The youngster has the pace to be a handful.
Replacing Williams might prove a bit trickier.
Greg Rawlinson and Troy Flavell are the likely first choice pairing, with Anthony Boric and Angus MacDonald versatile loose forwards with experience in the boiler room. The onus will be on Flavell to control the lineout and provide the same commanding aerial presence as Williams.
The Blues have a recent history of under-achievement but they appear to have the versatility and experience to suggest they can emerge from the first seven weeks in decent shape.
Chiefs
Missing: Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The Chiefs have escaped lightly and should be able to absorb their losses without too much trouble.
Brendon Leonard was the hottest newcomer to the provincial championship and did enough to catch the eye of the All Black selectors.
His sniping and aggression from halfback will help the Chiefs get some go-forward.
The majestic Richard Kahui was another to emerge strongly from the Air New Zealand Cup and the absence of Muliaina will afford him an opportunity to see if he can be as effective at the next level.
He's a centre who gets himself in the right places and defends strongly.
Sosene Anesi, Anthony Tahana and Roy Kinikinilau are all options on the wing. Here's a random but not entirely stupid thought - if the Chiefs are struggling to accommodate their embarrassment of backrow riches, why not try Liam Messam on the wing?
Hurricanes
Missing: Andrew Hore, Jason Eaton, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo and Piri Weepu.
The Hurricanes will have a battle dealing with their missing players.
Their backrow is world class and so much of their gameplan is only possible because of the ball-carrying threat, athleticism and defensive impact of Collins, So'oialo and Masoe.
Thomas Waldrom will get a long-deserved chance to wear No 8, with Brad Mika an outside candidate for a few appearances.
Nili Latu and Serge Lilo come into the reckoning for flanker berths. Both are explosive but they lack experience and the impact of the men they will be replacing.
Alby Mathewson is rated one of the most promising halfbacks in the country and we will probably know by April whether that is a fair claim. Mahonri Schwalger and Tone Kopelani are good hookers who have had to operate mostly from the bench.
Covering Eaton has been made easier by the arrival of Bernie Upton, who has returned to the capital after a successful stint with Bay of Plenty and the Chiefs.
Expect the Hurricanes to struggle in those early rounds without so many high-impact players.
Crusaders
Missing: Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Reuben Thorne, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Aaron Mauger and Leon MacDonald.
It goes without saying that no side can lose players of the calibre of McCaw and Carter and not be affected.
But let's not forget that the Crusaders have built their success on their seamless ability to replace old heroes with new ones.
Stephen Brett is a talented first five-eighths and could shine if given the chance. Kieran Read looks a younger, bigger, faster version of Thorne. Paul Williams could yet be a classy fullback now he has put his broken leg behind him and Rua Tipoki is a direct replacement for Mauger.
Isaac Ross could become the new Chris Jack and Johnny Leo'o, as he showed this year, is a seriously good No 7 who would probably start in most other sides.
Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks and Ben May are the men to cover for Somerville. Might just have enough quality to still be in touch when the cavalry arrives.
Highlanders
Missing: Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver.
The Highlanders are only being robbed of two players but could still be the team that finds their losses hardest to come to terms with.
Hayman is probably the best tight-head in the world and, while Oliver has his critics, he remains a massive scrummager and an enormously influential player in any environment.
The Highlanders are heavily reliant on their pack and without their scrummaging rocks, they could find it a long season.
They are a bit lightweight in the backs where, outside the classy Nick Evans, they don't have much.
That puts a huge amount of pressure on Chris King and David Hall to fill the No 3 and No 2 shirts respectively.
Those two will have to step up and deliver some huge performances if the Highlanders are to have any chance of reaching anywhere near the top half of the ladder.
