With the Super Rugby season descending quickly upon us - yes, it's still summer outside - Newshub rugby tragic John Day casts his discerning eye over how the New Zealand teams are shaping up for next week's kick-off.
CHIEFS
Titles: Two (2012, 13)
Last season: Seventh (7-7-2), lost quarter-final to Jaguares
Coach: Warren Gatland
Squad
Props - Ryan Coxon, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Reuben O'Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta'avao, Robb Cobb, Ross Geldenhuys, Ollie Norris
Hookers - Nathan Harris, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Donald Maka
Locks - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Michael Allardice, Tyler Ardron, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa'i
Loose forwards - Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Dylan Nel, Pita Gus Sowakula, James Thompson, Adam Thomson
Halfbacks - Lisati Milo-Harris, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber, Leroy Carter
First-Fives - Aaron Cruden, Tiaan Falcon, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask
Midfield - Orbyn Leger, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan
Outside Backs - Solomon Alaimalo, Sam McNicol, Kini Naholo, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui
2020 Schedule
Jan 31 @Blues
Feb 8 v Crusaders
Feb 15 @Sunwolves
Feb 22 v Brumbies
Mar 6 @Waratahs
Mar 13 v Hurricanes
Mar 22 @Sharks
Mar 29 @Lions
Apr 4 v Bulls
Apr 10 @Highlanders
Apr 25 v Stormers
May 1 @Hurricanes
May 9 v Highlanders
May 15 v Blues
May 22 v Rebels
May 30 @Crusaders
Biggest loss
Some players can't be replaced and that's the case for Brodie Retallick, who's spending the next two seasons in Japanese rugby. The All Blacks lock is the best in the world, and his playing ability, leadership and massive engine will be sorely missed.
Biggest gain
Being able to recruit Warren Gatland is a huge coup. The Waikato legend has come home to Hamilton with a world-class CV at both Wales and the British & Irish Lions.
Gatland's a proven winner and the Chiefs are definitely one of the favourites with him at the helm.
Biggest question - Can the Chiefs stay fit?
Injuries seem to plague the Chiefs more than any other team. Their top XV should be able to mix it with any other team in the competition, but if key players such as Sam Cane, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson and Aaron Cruden get injured, there could be big problems.
Key player
No-one is more fun to watch in Super Rugby than Damian McKenzie. The first-five experiment appears to be over (thank goodness), which should sound alarm bells to the rest of the competition.
A fully fit McKenzie is the best attacking fullback going around and is set to rip it up, after last season's knee injury.
Who the hell is he?
When it comes to exciting, young talent, Kini Naholo is be right up there. The 20-year-old brother of ex-All Black Waisake carved up for Hastings Boys High School in his final year of school, scoring 40 tries in 20 games.
He hasn't played a lot of first-class rugby since then, but look out when he gets his chance.
Fearless prediction
Dave Rennie did it in his first season, and I'm picking Warren Gatland to do the same and win Super Rugby. The Chiefs are stacked up front, have explosive loose forwards, experienced inside backs and are dangerous out wide.
With a master coach on board, there's no reason why the Chiefs shouldn't add a third title to the cabinet.
John Day is a Newshub sports reporter
