Rugby Union

Not where I expected Brodie McAlister to pop up, filling the spot of Tyrone Thompson who after all the rumours is heading over to join his brother and play some League. Hard to see how he'll get much game time once Samisoni is back from injury but more power to him.

Not a huge amount of change otherwise for the Chiefs, really strong looking squad particularly at lock, the loose forwards are very good as well, and then the 9, 10, midfield and outside back are all really strong.

The Chief's only obvious weakness is at Prop, but its good enough for Super Rugby and with all the strength in the rest of the squad they should be looking for playoffs for sure.

Biggest transfer well flagged in advance is Ardie joining his brother, it'll be interesting to see if he ends up playing 7 for Moana Pasifika as Lotu Inisi was one of their best last year playing at 8.

Huge amount of departing players with a lot of the first signings retiring and otherwise moving on plus second year of Umaga in charge presumably setting up the squad to match how he wants things more.

Brett Cameron will be out with injury for most of the season, Hohepa looked reasonable with the Crusaders last year without stamping a mark (the whole team failed) and Cashmore has been playing off the bench for BoP in the NPC so not a nailed down starter.

Enari & Viljoen for Perenara & Judd means they don't have a lot of backup behind Cam Roigard at halfback as well.

Setting aside the big names like Barrett, Perenara and Savea leaving, its the loss of very good Super Rugby players Moorby, Rayasi, Sansgter that will hurt on top of losing Morgan and having to rely on two much more unproven 10s.

Wonder where Brodie McAlister is off to, if still in NZ its presumably to get some game time rather than being stuck behind Taylor & Bell.

They'll be hoping they get more out of O'Connor than they did Halfpenney, but i'd be surprised if he sees a big chunk of the season - but Kemara & Reihana need someone to learn from.

Loads of experience departing, lots of players coming in that didn't exactly jump out at NPC. Here's hoping for another middling to poor season for the one-eyes.

Very light on locks and Harmon moving on is a huge loss for the 'landers Patchell didn't get to play as much as he'd have wanted but will be missed too. If they can avoid as many injuries as they had to carry last year they might do ok, but definitely not as well balanced a squad as the Chiefs or Hurricanes.

Quite a few players leaving the Blues looking for game time, a bit surprised nobody made a play to get either Plummer or Perofeta as they'd be keen on playing more, but then why would you want to leave the champs?

AJ Lam is listed as an outside back here, but I would expect he'll be playing in the midfield with Ioane which would be quite a formidable pair. The big loss for the Blues is obviously Akira Ioane as its hard to see any of the remaining loosies having the sort of impact he did this year, but Vern was able to get the best out of him & Sotutu so maybe he'll get some of these other lads to step up too.

A back 3 of Clarke, Sullivan and Tele'a is very, very good and they've got a good balance of young and experienced. Like the Chiefs on the basis of the squads alone, the Blues look the goods.