Blues hooker James Parsons, one of the team's early surprise packages last year, has been given a chance to replicate that form with a start against the Highlanders.

This Chiefs appear as well-equipped as any champions to rise above the impediments and repeat their Super Rugby success.

If co-captaining the Chiefs changes nothing else for Aaron Cruden, it at least provides a legitimate reason to chirp at the ref.

There are a number of obstacles a defending champion must clear to remain at the front of the field.

In Cory Jane's comeback match in November after eight months out with injury he almost scored a stunning try after two and a half minutes.

It's hard to believe the Chiefs spend any time away from each other.

With the rare and exciting talent the Hurricanes have in their squad, even the most traumatised fan should carry a sense of optimism they can return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

For those who don't believe allowing overseas-based players to be eligible for the All Blacks would be disastrous, take heed of what is happening in South Africa.

Ardie Savea's apprenticeship is over. After spending most of his first season as a full-time Super Rugby player making up the numbers at training last year that will change in 2014.

Coach Mark Hammett has spoken at length for the past two seasons about the inexperience and youth in his squad but that won't wash in 2014.

A Charles Piutau knee injury has opened the door for Benji Marshall to start at fullback for the Blues against the Highlanders on Saturday.

There are no hard feelings towards the Melbourne Rebels but Quade Cooper has hinted rugby's lawmakers should investigate outlawing some tackles already banned by league .

Five seasons and counting. Recollections of the Crusaders' supremacy are fading as they continue to go through their close-but-no-cigar routine, writes Wynne Gray.

As a coach, Todd Blackadder is prone to all manner of sayings, and one of his standard lines is the one about the definition of insanity being the inclination to do the same thing over and over again, all the while expecting a different result.

If the Chiefs wanted an early examination of their three-peat chances, visiting the Crusaders and leaving 10 players at home fits the bill.

The Highlanders have scored only three tries in the pre-season but coach Jamie Joseph is not pushing any panic buttons over his attack.

Joe Moody credits his wrestling background with providing him with the requisite mental strength for top rugby and he will need all of that determination this season as he battles back from ankle surgery.

Redemption is the primary goal for the Highlanders in 2014.

It is not often a team's season can be decided by one game but for the Highlanders that may be the case.

This week's Blues' team announcement for their opening match of the season will be keenly awaited because of Benji Marshall's arrival.

Best thing about the Highlanders? Their foxy home stadium, the Smiths, Nasi Manu and Brad Thorn, writes Wynne Gray.

There is a lot of hair to dig under, but a journey to the centre of Liam Coltman would reveal a core that is solid, durable and unlikely to melt even if a blowtorch is applied.

I can't, for the life of me, understand the concept of resting the All Blacks for the opening rounds of Super Rugby.