It may still be the cricket season but rugby's Super 14 has been launched in Auckland.
Captains past and present were present at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium to reminisce and look forward to the 15th year of Super rugby and the last Super 14. Next season it's the Super 15 when the Melbourne Rebels debut.
Of the current skippers Richie McCaw as usual attracted the most media interest - like his fellow internationals the All Black captain's been allowed an extended break over summer following the end of year tour.
But unlike, say, the Blues skipper Keven Mealamu, who lines up against the Hurricanes at Albany in the season opener next Friday, McCaw won't be playing for Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder in the first round, or even the second...
Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina is another who'll sit out several rounds - he's not flying out to South Africa with his team-mates on Sunday for their 3-game road trip.
