In Cory Jane's comeback match in November after eight months out with injury he almost scored a stunning try after two and a half minutes.

There are a number of obstacles a defending champion must clear to remain at the front of the field.

Scouting is just one part of the Super 15 jigsaw; getting players to sign on and then coaching them to success.

It's hard to believe the Chiefs spend any time away from each other.

For those who don't believe allowing overseas-based players to be eligible for the All Blacks would be disastrous, take heed of what is happening in South Africa.

With the rare and exciting talent the Hurricanes have in their squad, even the most traumatised fan should carry a sense of optimism they can return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Coach Mark Hammett has spoken at length for the past two seasons about the inexperience and youth in his squad but that won't wash in 2014.

There are no hard feelings towards the Melbourne Rebels but Quade Cooper has hinted rugby's lawmakers should investigate outlawing some tackles already banned by league .

Five seasons and counting. Recollections of the Crusaders' supremacy are fading as they continue to go through their close-but-no-cigar routine, writes Wynne Gray.

As a coach, Todd Blackadder is prone to all manner of sayings, and one of his standard lines is the one about the definition of insanity being the inclination to do the same thing over and over again, all the while expecting a different result.

If the Chiefs wanted an early examination of their three-peat chances, visiting the Crusaders and leaving 10 players at home fits the bill.

The Highlanders have scored only three tries in the pre-season but coach Jamie Joseph is not pushing any panic buttons over his attack.

Redemption is the primary goal for the Highlanders in 2014.

This week's Blues' team announcement for their opening match of the season will be keenly awaited because of Benji Marshall's arrival.

It is not often a team's season can be decided by one game but for the Highlanders that may be the case.

Best thing about the Highlanders? Their foxy home stadium, the Smiths, Nasi Manu and Brad Thorn, writes Wynne Gray.

There is a lot of hair to dig under, but a journey to the centre of Liam Coltman would reveal a core that is solid, durable and unlikely to melt even if a blowtorch is applied.

I can't, for the life of me, understand the concept of resting the All Blacks for the opening rounds of Super Rugby.

No team has won a Super Rugby title without a test-class first-five: Carlos Spencer, Andrew Mehrtens, Stephen Larkham, Daniel Carter, Morne Steyn, Quade Cooper and Aaron Cruden are the title-winning 10s. Gregor Paul assesses the current crop of New Zealan

Rugby fans, are you dark that the All Blacks missed the big gong at the Halberg Awards, that league has invaded Eden Park and the Super 15 kicks off early tomorrow?

Rugby season is upon us again and for me there is added intrigue in that 2014 might be the last time we see Super rugby in this format.