With New Zealand's (well at least most of the North Island's) summer feeling more like a winter anyway, it's fitting that as the last of the long days prepare to come and go, Super Rugby is ready to announce its arrival in 2023.
This year is a bumper year for rugby, with the small matter of a Rugby World Cup just eight months away and several players in a fight for selection to be on the plane to France.
But the next four months will be all about chasing down the Crusaders as they attempt to march towards an unprecedented seventh title.
So who can stop them? Here's what the make-up of Super Rugby's top eight may be in a few months' time.
1-Crusaders
There is no shortage of motivation at Rugby Park in Christchurch, with club stalwarts Richie Mo'unga and Sam Whitelock likely in their final season in red and black, along with coach Scott Robertson.
They've got a great mix of experience and youth, and expect we'll get a good look into the Crusaders future with young guns Macca Springer, Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara ready to get a taste of Super Rugby.
The desire to achieve even more history burns bright for the Crusaders.
2-Chiefs
I love everything about this Chiefs side. They are incredibly well coached by Clayton McMillan, a man of immense mana who every single player is ready to run through a brick wall for.
The return of Damian McKenzie is also a huge boost, and with a full season out of Anton Lienert-Brown, I expect them to be right there at crunch time this year.
McMillan knows how to get the best out of this group and they're highly motivated to make amends for their semi final defeat last year.
3-Blues
Another force in New Zealand who are determined to erase the memories of their disastrous showing in the Super Rugby final last year and claim their first title since 2003.
They have all the cattle to be able to do it as well, but need to find a way to get the best out of players like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu.
In a World Cup year, those three are in a tough race to book a ticket to France. Too much talent and too well coached not to be featuring at the business end of the season though.
4-Brumbies
Again, the top Australian side for me, who have club stalwart Stephen Larkham back in Canberra as head coach.
They're a team that's chocker full of experience who went oh so close to knocking over the Blues in the semi final last season. Expect them to go close again.
5-Waratahs
They're not quite the 'Lakers of Super Rugby' they might want you to believe they are- or actually maybe they are, sitting lower down the table like the once great LA side.
But the Waratahs are at least showing signs of growth. The strides made under Darren Coleman last year was almost one of the forgotten stories of Super Rugby.
This is a side who proved they can compete on their day, and are ready to surprise a few. Michael Hooper is likely in his last year with the franchise and with an abundance of youth in their ranks, I think they can shock a few teams this year.
6-Hurricanes
It feels like something of a rebuild in Wellington. While they've got no shortage of experience in the likes of Ardie Savea, Dane Coles and Jordie Barrett, they have a lot of young blood still finding their feet in Super Rugby.
But they have great leaders and are well coached by Jason Holland, so I have them as a top six side.
7-Reds
The Reds aren't quite the finished product yet and have proven to be woefully inconsistent when it really counts, but they have the talent in their ranks to be able to push into the top eight.
Their backline is stacked full of attacking weapons, with James O'Connor back to lead the side from first-five, while fellow Wallabies Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia can be absolute game changers.
Also expect a huge shift from Fraser McReight at openside flanker this season.
8-Highlanders
I again have the Highlanders sneaking into the top eight this year, but feel this spot is very much up for grabs.
The side is farewelling club legend Aaron Smith and will be desperate to send him off on the right note. Ethan de Groot transformed himself into the country's best loosehead last year and will be pivotal for the Highlanders up front.
There is a lot missing from this team though, and with a new coaching group who're also finding their feet in Super Rugby, I don't see it all going off without a hitch.
After only just sneaking into the top eight last year, I think they're gonna have their work cut out for them once again in 2023.
Ollie Ritchie is Newshub's rugby reporter
