Will the defending champion Crusaders and Chiefs Manawa reign supreme again this season, or can someone usurp the Super Rugby thrones?
The Crusaders and Chiefs Manawa are favoured to defend their titles. Photo: Photosport
Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Aupiki kick off this weekend with 11 times champion Crusaders again favourites to win the men's competition, with the Chiefs Manawa expected to come out on top of the women's tournament for a second straight year.
The Chiefs Manawa may have a new look squad and coaching team, but for head coach Crystal Kaua victory remains a non-negotiable, with her side even more heavily favoured than the Crusaders men to lift the trophy.
"We can't stay where we were last year. Everybody else will move and improve so we need to move and improve. The coaching group that we've brought in this year, they're experienced, they think differently and they're going to push boundaries."
The South Island's Matatū went winless in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki but they're hoping the arrival of eight new players, including two from Australia, will turn around their fortunes.
Former Hurricanes Poua back Cheyelle Robins-Reti is among the newcomers and can see the benefit of having Super W players as team-mates.
"Just them having a different style of play and hopefully we'll be able to learn from them and integrate them into our style of play. Hopefully that will help both us and them and in the bigger picture, help women's rugby."
Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua are also in their second Super Rugby Pacific seasons and the two teams open their campaign in Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
Super Rugby Aupiki Captains 2023. From left, Jackie Patea-Fereti (Hurricanes Poua), Ruahei Demant (Blues), Kennedy Simon (Chiefs Manawa) and Alana Bremner (Matatū) Photo: Supplied: NZR
The Moana first-five, former Wallaby Christian Lealiifano, is expecting a vocal and passionate crowd at Mt Smart.
He's also looking forward to the clash and the team's first ever home game in Samoa, scheduled for round eight against the Reds.
"Mate, my wife's already booked flights and my family have already locked that in! How special is that going to be?
"I think, in essence, what this team's all about is we represent the Pacific and the more games we can get in the Pacific Islands the better it will be to showcase the game and inspire the people that we're playing for."
Coach Scott Robertson has led the champion Crusaders to four straight Super Rugby titles and this will be his last year with the team, before he moves on, possibly into the All Blacks job.
"Our motivation is to be the best team. It's a big thing for myself and the group. We talk about how we're going to enjoy it and embrace the challenge. We'll work hard and we'll look forward to pressure moments, but we'll make sure we enjoy it with our friends and whānau along the way."
Christian Lealiifano Photo: Photosport
It will also be the last season with the Crusaders for veteran All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock and the team are desperate to send both men out with a fifth straight crown.
Whitelock is a multiple Super Rugby winner having played 174 games for the Christchurch based side.
Robertson said the team want to win for their talisman.
"He's had an incredible career. Let's embrace it, let's enjoy that, let's reflect on it, let's use that as motivation, all the incredible time and success he's had with us."
The bookies believe the Blues to have the next best chance of winning.
They won Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in 2021 but the Blues captain and All Blacks loose forward, Dalton Papalii, says he would hate to finish his career without a full Super Rugby title.
He wants to avoid the fate of many NBA legends, who never won a championship, despite their litany of achievements.
Dalton Papalii of the Blues during their match against the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch on 15 April 2022. Photo: Photosport
"Yeah 100 percent. The boys, we talk a lot about the NBA players, all the greats that never got a ring. They will still be remembered as greats, but at the end of the day we play this sport to win those moments and claim those championships...So to win Super Rugby? It would mean the world to me."
It's been almost 10 years since an Australian side won the men's competition, but new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says success this season isn't crucial to his World Cup plans.
"It's important our players play well. The expectation is that they'll play well and they consistently play well. To play well against New Zealand sides is important, but it's not the be all and end all. But, it'd be nice to have an Australian team win Super Rugby."
Super Rugby Aupiki has been extended this year with the competition to be played over five weeks with semi-finals and a final.
Super Rugby Pacific stays the same but there have been some law changes aimed at speeding up the game, including time restrictions on goal kicks, set pieces and rucks, and a streamlined video referee process.
The New Zealand coaches have endorsed the tweaks and they'll be on display tonight, when the Crusaders open the season against the Chiefs in Christchurch.
