KEY POINTS:
The best summer in living memory rolls on and yet footy is about to start again.
There are a lot of uncertainties. You could ask, are we ready for rucks, mauls and tries when we still have beach sand between our toes and sunblock smeared over our faces? Will the public turn up and tune in to the Super 14? How will the new rules affect the quality and style of play? Will the recently rested and rotated relish actually getting game time? With most franchises facing high player turnover through retirement and overseas exodus, who of the new guys will become the new stars of year 12 in Super Rugby?
I think there is enough in all these questions to make this year's Super 14 more exciting and interesting than the past few years. To have a great competition you require stars, and all the New Zealand franchises have plenty of big guns raring to go - aside from maybe the Highlanders.
The likes of Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Daniel Baird, Stephen Donald, Sione Luaaki, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Ali Williams and Richie McCaw lift players around them with their quality and should ensure supporters make the effort to get to the grounds and tune into the television coverage.
The break between seasons has been enough to refresh the minds of the public. The NZRU marketers say they have stirred from their RWC slumber and are keen to give the Super 14 the marketing resources and cash it warrants. This should translate into better promotion before matches, more emphasis on individual clashes, better facilities at the grounds and a more personal marketing approach to the various types of supporters.
With the problems at provincial level - and the unmentionable occurrence in Cardiff last year - we should make the Supe r14 the showpiece of our game. Last season the NZRU's focus was on that other tournament played in France. I am confident their promises for change in 2008 will not just be words but will be followed by action.
The Sky TV guys have also reviewed the build-ups and coverage so look for some fresh content and personalities. If team managements and players live up to their title of being "professional" then we should get to see and hear more than the standard cliches and propaganda served up year after year. The NZRU must push their employees - the players - to give the public not only quality on the pitch but also personality and colour off it. Here's hoping.
The new rules have already been analysed and assessed by coaches, players, media and even some brave referees. For me the proof will be in the play. I suspect we won't really know what effect they will have until a few rounds of the competition. Let's be honest: anything will be better than the turgid slop we have been served up in recent seasons.
If the new rules simplify and speed up the game they will have succeeded.
Comment that the changes will make stout front rowers dinosaurs and negate the skills of the Bairds and McCaws seem to me the rantings of doomsday fanatics. The 5m defence line behind a scrum will make the value of having a quality tight-head prop even more significant. If your No 3 can push up 15cm on his side of the scrum then his attacking loose forwards and backs will have a huge advantage over that defensive line which is already back an added 5m.
At the ruck and maul the accuracy and precise technique of the Bairds and McCaws should be rewarded by the new laws. The clumsy, lazy and dumb will be punished with the new speed and skill required.
The exodus of talent overseas has created opportunities for some new guys. Every young Kiwi player will know that Graham Henry and co will be looking for talent all over the paddock. Opportunities at All Black level can be found at prop, hooker, lock, halfback, second five-eighth, centre and wing. Get used to hearing the names of MacIntosh, Eaton, Boric, Stanley, Kahui, Weepu, and Messam being dandied about in the search for All Blacks regulars.
Perennial favourites Crusaders and Blues face a season with much of the previous talent. Both have talent depth which the likes of the Highlanders can only dream about.
The Chiefs and Hurricanes always have great hopes about now ... This year could be their time.
So, is it too early for rugby? No way! Everything points in the direction of an exciting competition with all the right ingredients - the best players, simpler rules, better marketing and new stars.
