HOW THE NZ TEAMS WILL FINISH

01 CHIEFS

They were on track to win the NZ Conference last year – as we said they would – but couldn’t win on the final day of roundrobin action to secure it. Nothing much has happened to make us change our minds that they are well set up, have depth in the key positions – although Beaver might not have much rugby in him should Aaron Cruden be injured – and are well coached. The Cruden, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai combination could be lethal.

02 HURRICANES

It’s dangerous to doubt this side, they can make you look silly. In Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett they have four of the most influential players in the competition. Can make things happen out of nothing and they have the character to defend for an age. Why are we saying, then, they won’t top the group? Call it a sixth sense, or better still, a wild guess.

03 BLUES

This is our biggest call in this issue, but we believe it. Have a look at the Blues team... they have the personnel to make the playoffs and a coaching group that is clever and skilled. If they just had a quality, proven No 10 we would feel a little more confident about our bold call.

04 CRUSADERS

We don’t feel comfortable with this prediction. Well, we kind of do. The Crusaders have enough good players to be crowned champions. Look at their pack and Richie Mo’unga was superb last year at No 10. The arrival of Seta Tamanivalu helps with their attacking thrust, but... will this young coaching team be able to get the best out of their players?

05 HIGHLANDERS

This could end up being embarrassing. Of course it could. Winners in 2015 and semifinalists in 2016 – we are saying the Highlanders will finish bottom of their conference in 2017. Big drop that but their pack has been built on honest toil and maybe that won’t be quite enough this year. Maybe they are just a bit short of ball-carrying punch in their tight five.