KEY POINTS:
Australian wicketkeeper Wally Grout was credited with the line; "never give a sucker an even break".
Grout was referrring to another sport, a summer sport in which the Ockers are excelling again although the Super 14 starts tonight when it seems the heat has scarcely descended on New
Zealand.
The annual debate about the start of the competition will get its usual inspection while there will be extra scrutiny about the size of the crowds, given that 22 All Blacks have been removed from the series until round eight. This is where Grout's observation kicks in.
The All Blacks management have mounted a persuasive campaign about the advantages - nay necessity - for their World Cup prospects to be reconditioned for two months before returning to action. Whatever the merits of that claim, it is an issue about the sixth global tournament later this year.
For the Super 14, the absence of New Zealand's leading players has given sides in Australia and South Africa some assistance. Whether they can use that edge is another issue. Since the Super series started in 1996, the Crusaders have taken six titles, the Blues three and the Brumbies two.
No honours for any South African sides - just two finals defeats for the Sharks. No change then for the Republic unless one of their sides can create as great a surprise as Bobby Skinstad taking up a contract with the Sharks after three years in business in London.
For the first two months of the tournament, the suckers will test their skills against a senior All Black-free zone.
Some will profit and one of those could be the Brumbies who play three New Zealand sides in the first half of the series.
But whatever the initial weight of Grout's theory, the restoration of those All Blacks will give a massive impetus to their teams at the fag end of this competition. The odds favour at least two New Zealand teams making it into the playoffs. Settling on their identities now looks as tortuous as Jonny Wilkinson's return to rugby.
It might be easier to delve into the change to the scrum engagement, the touch demand which has been added to the crouch, pause and engage instructions, though let's hope this area of the game is not the most prominent topic after this weekend. But there is that worry because of the grizzles heard after the Blues and Chiefs trial game in Rotorua.
There is some irony in the way that this season, which will be heavily scrutinised throughout for any clues about the World Cup, is starting with some of the lowest excitement levels seen for rugby in this country. Too early, too hot, too much, too many other attractions - all the excuses have been wheeled out.
There have been the intriguing issues. Will Troy Flavell prove to be an inspiring choice as the new leader of the Blues, will the Chiefs build on the provincial success of Waikato, how can the Hurricanes succeed without their All Black loosies, what magic can Robbie Deans wring from his troops and will the Highlanders thank their officials for the local-recruits-only scheme?
It has been left to the Aussies to headline the off-field dramas with Brumbies hooker David Palavi admitting three charges after a clash with police while 18-year-old new Waratah wonderkid Kurtley Beale has pleaded guilty to unlicensed, drink-driving issues.
Former ARU boss John O'Neill has been courted about returning to the admin ranks and it will be unusual to watch Eddie Jones coaching the Reds. John Mitchell and the Force are still searching for their first home triumph.
The return of injured South African stars like Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha will be welcomed, there is high optimism Sharks teenager Frans Steyn will repeat his form from the Boks' end-of-year tour while former Springbok flanker Rassie Erasmus continues to receive rave reviews since he transferred his playing talents to coaching the Cheetahs.
The Cats have morphed into the Lions and play all five New Zealand sides before they reclaim their All Blacks from the conditioning programmes.
If you believe the optimism from the Republic, this is the year when a side will crack this competition but you have to think that team will have to host a semifinal to tilt at history.
