Searching questions, insightful answers

RICHARD KNOWLER

1. Crusaders, Crusaders.

2. Highlanders. A modest roster that will be exposed if injuries strike early.

3. Reds, Jaguares.

4. Kirisi Kuridrani isn't a Kiwi but the Fijian outside back arrives as a fresh signing (from the Reds) at the Highlanders. He could offer something under attack coach Tony Brown.

5. Just wait for the hype when he makes his debut for the Blues in mid-April. He has a responsibility to match that on the park.

6. New Reds captain Liam Wright. The young flanker must be a tough nut if he has been endorsed by coach Brad

Thorn.

7: Blues No 8 Akira Ioane. He didn't receive the kindest farewell from ex-All Blacks coach Steve Hansen last year.

8. Given it's near impossible to speak directly to leading officials, there's no point being optimistic. Let's go with a two.

9. A player taken out in the air when rising for a high ball. Confusion is sure to follow.

10. I want to prove to my disbelieving eyes that this competition really is starting today (January 31). It's bloody madness.

LIAM HYSLOP

1. Crusaders, Crusaders.

2. Blues. Because they always do.

3. Jaguares, Brumbies.

4. Emoni Narawa. Really liked what I saw from him in Steamers colours last year.

5. Jordie Barrett. Is he a fullback? Is he a midfielder? Is he a winger? Is he actually as good as his reputation suggests? All questions to ponder since the Rugby World Cup finished.

6. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers). He's the World Rugby player of the year, but, unlike many of his Springboks team-mates, decided to stay in his homeland after the Rugby World Cup.

7. See above re: Jordie Barrett.

Round 1

8. Three.

9. Something to do with a high tackle. It won't be the last tackle-related controversy either.

10. I am employed to.

ROBERT VAN ROYEN

1. Crusaders and Crusaders.

2. The Hurricanes. As Blues fans know full well, it's a tough competition without a quality first-five eighth running the show.

3. Stormers and Rebels.

4. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea has all the ingredients to be a stud at this level. A midfield pairing of Tupaea and All Black Anton Lienert-Brown has to excite Chiefs fans.

5. Akira Ioane. Admittedly Blues coach Leon MacDonald burnt him out last year, but the big No 8 is running out of chances to show he's got the drive and workrate to take his game to the next level.

6. Jordan Petaia. The Queensland Reds' midfielder was magic last year before a foot injury rubbed out most of his season. Wait until new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie gets his hands on him.

7. Rieko Ioane. He lost his starting wing spot to George Bridge last year, and has his mind set on playing at centre for the Blues. Let's see if he can make the shift when he gets a chance.

8. A highly unacceptable three. But that's the standard they've set.

9. When a dimwit TMO gets carried away and overrules a referee. Think CrusadersStormers and Marius Jonker in Cape Town last year.

10. It's going to be refreshing viewing without the All Blacks and a looming World

Cup casting a dark shadow over the Kiwi teams. Enjoy it while it lasts.

MARC HINTON

1. Crusaders/Crusaders. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Stormers and Jaguares appeal, though they'll all play second fiddle to that red-and-black backline.

2. The Blues. Who else? It's now an annual event that the Auks open the year full of promise and optimism. They haven't failed to disappoint for a decade. Highlanders a close second after poor recruiting off-season.

3. Rebels, Jaguares. The Aussie conference looks tight but the Rebs could edge it if they figure out how to close out games; the Jags have the formula now.

4. Jona Nareki (Highlanders) and Kini Naholo (Chiefs) are two young speedsters capable of big impacts. The latter's breeding and schoolboy exploits suggest something very exciting in the offing.

5. Pick a Ioane. Any Ioane. Rieko is looking to re-ignite his All Black prospects with a move to centre and big bro Akira has a rugby reputation to salvage after a poor NPC.

6.? Has to be Joe Marchant. Rising Pommy backline star comes to New Zealand to round out his game. The Blues have been impressed with what they've seen so far. 7.As mentioned, Rieko Ioane. Not so long ago the best wing in the world, can he thrive on centre stage as part of a Blues revival?

8. Leading question this. Poor. Maybe even abysmal, if seasons past are anything to go by. Ostriches bury their heads in the sand less than this lot. 2/10

9. The proliferation of red cards for acts merely resembling high hits. You can bet your bottom dollar on that.

10. I need something to help me stop thinking about Kobe Bryant and his daughter and because Black Caps-India cricket is a one-sided snorer of a series.

AARON GOILE

1. Chiefs for both.

2. Highlanders. The amount of experience and quality they have lost from last season will be too tough to overcome this year.

3. Reds, Jaguares.

4. Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs). The centre has been carving it up in the Mitre 10 Cup for Waikato the last two years and was absurdly not handed a Super contract for last season. Represented the NZ U20s and looks a star in the making.

5. Akira Ioane (Blues). It seems the Blues No 8's name keeps appearing in this section year after year. All the talent, and needs to put it into action, with Kieran Read's retirement leaving another spot up for grabs in the All Blacks loose forwards mix, while Sir Steve Hansen's departure may also help his cause.

6. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs). Get used to writing or saying that one, because, by all accounts, this 19-year-old is something special. A stunning rise saw him star on the wing for the Junior Wallabies at last year's U20 World Championship and has impressed in pre-season ahead of a Super debut.

7. Rieko Ioane (Blues). Not long ago the world's best winger, the younger Ioane was suddenly usurped by George Bridge and Sevu Reece ahead of the World Cup, so needs to remind what he has to offer. However, playing centre this season could muddy the waters, or maybe give the coaches some extra food for thought.

8. A big improvement to 4/10.

9. A missed knock on at the bottom of a ruck which leads to a try, but which is more than two phases back, meaning the TMO couldn't rule on it.

10. It's winter and cricket has finished.