So the week is finally here.

After a restless summer of watching Rugby World Cup highlights and re-runs on top of trying to predict the Super Rugby standings and hazarding guesses at starting lineups of each team, the time has finally come to strap myself onto the couch, set up a chilly-bin at my feet and sit, comfortably awestruck, at the wonder and excitement that is Super Rugby.

With three new teams and an expanded format that includes a myriad of groups and conferences as well as incorporating the cultural and rugby style of Japan and Argentina, 2016 looms as being one of the most exciting, interesting and progressive years of rugby in a long time.

SUPER RUGBY TEAMS

I digress; the point of this article isn’t to publicise or endorse the changes to the Super Rugby system; I’m sure that’ll happen enough throughout the season as we see how successful or otherwise this revised tournament seems to be. What I want to do is discuss the upcoming games of the round and highlight where either team could win the match, which players are going to be the game changers and listing each starting XV.

So, without further ado, here are the fixtures for Round 1:

Blues versus Highlanders

First game of 2016 and the chase for a title defence is already on with the Highlanders trying to replicate their 2015 successes against the Blues – a team who were only one position away from a wooden spoon last year.

While the Blues have faced quite the exodus in some key positions, they’ve also retained a fair bit of their youthful talent and the return to Super Rugby of players like Tanerau Latimer and Rene Ranger could be just the spark needed to take Tana Umaga’s Blues back toward their best.

Coming up against the might have the Highlanders should prove a step too far for the Blues though, especially when their opponents can field virtually the same, if not an improved, side to the one that won the grand final last year. I’ll back the Highlanders to start this season the same way they ended the last one.

Blues:
15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Male Sa’u, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Joe Edwards, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Rene Ranger

Highlanders:
15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Matt Faddes

Brumbies versus Hurricanes

Immediately after the 2015 Champions play, the Hurricanes – who were minor premiers and eventual runners up – get to stake their claim for a title in the 2016 season.

Here we have a fantastic clash of two heavyweights, two fantastic teams who already look like they’ll be battling it out for top spot come finals time.

The Brumbies and Hurricanes last met in the 2015 semi-final where the Canes ran out comfortable 29-9 victors, but with a depleted midfield for the men from Wellington facing a Brumbies outfit that remains largely unchanged, I expect the outcome to be a bit different.

Both teams have a point to prove and will want to hit the ground running, but for now I’ll be backing the Brumbies to take this one out in front of their home crowd, albeit in a tight, exciting Round 1 affair.

Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Allan Alaalatoa

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Nigel Ah Wong

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Leni Apisai, 1 Reggie Goodes
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Otere Black, 23 Willis Halaholo

Cheetahs versus Jaguares

The Cheetahs get the honour and opportunity to welcome the new Argentinian team – the Jaguares – into Super Rugby, giving them their first taste of the calibre of Southern Hemisphere club rugby.

Despite their newcomer status, I’m sure the Cheetahs know as well as everyone not to take the Jaguares lightly.

With a team packed to the rafters with Test-level players and World Cup finalists, the Cheetahs would be wise to play a slower, controlled game and try to kick their way to a victory. The boys from Bloemfontein haven’t had the best luck with player exodus and with experienced players like Coenie and Caylib Oosthuizen, Joe Pietersen and Willie le Roux all departing, the Cheetahs will want to hit the ground running and snag a win at home straight off the bat if they are to intimidate any of their opponents this year.

The Jaguares, on the other hand, will relish the chance to get used to the intensity and conditions away from home and will be viewing this as a great chance to show the rest of the competition just what they’re capable of.

Despite the relative inexperience of Super Rugby, it’s hard to look past the Test level experience that the Jaguares possess over the Cheetahs, and for that reason I’ll back them to stir an upset win.

Cheetahs:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (c), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais

Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Paul Schoeman, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Niel Marais

Jaguares:
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Rodrigo Báez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Lucas Noguera

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Matías Orlando

Sunwolves versus Lions

This is truly a mouthwatering prospect. Not necessarily because of the teams facing off, or because it’s the Japanese Sunwolves’ first game, or because they get to play it at the Prince Chichibu Stadium, which I’ve never seen before, but I’m excited because it marks the first game in a series of six consecutive games! That’s right, six consecutive games! I’ll let that settle in for a moment.

Now that we’ve all come to grips with what a beautiful, man-made phenomenon we have been blessed with, I should digress and admit how excited I’ll be excited to see the Sunwolves unveil their first team and demonstrate their unique playing style under the former Hurricanes coach, Mark Hammett.

The Lions won over many fans by expanding their kicking-based game to further involve some of their lesser known backs like Harold Vorster, Ruan Combrinck and Andries Coetzee in crisp set moves and brilliant counter-attacks.

This created a new and dangerous element to a team that already boasted one of the best backrows in the competition for pilfering and tackling and they’ll have only further developed these attributes in the offseason with a largely unchanged roster.

This game looks to be a rough initiation for the Sunwolves and not even home ground advantage and an excited crowd should be enough to stop a first up loss for the newcomers. If it’s any consolation, it won’t be through a lack of effort or enterprise.

Sunwolves:
15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Harumichi Tatekawa, 12 Yu Tamura, 11 Yasutaka Sasakura, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Atsushi Hiwasa, 8 Edward Quirk, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Liaki Moli, 5 Hitoshi Ono, 4 Timothy Bond, 3 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Keita Inagaki

Replacements: 16 Masataka Mikami, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Koki Yamamoto, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Yoshiya Hosoda, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Derek Carpenter, 23 Hajime Yamashita

Lions:
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Ruan Dreyer.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Jaco van der Walt, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg

Crusaders versus Chiefs

It’s a shame that these teams have to face each other in heir current circumstances, for neither side will resemble just what their full strength outfit could look like. Before the season even begins, the Crusaders are without Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean, their starting midfield combination, which is complemented by the Chiefs losing their two Crusaders imports, the talented, up-and-coming pair of Nepo Laulala and Dominic Bird.

The exodus of players before these injuries further exaggerates the difference between these teams over a course of a year, but thankfully that won’t stop this match from being a fantastic clash.

The Crusaders always seem to fire and have seldom missed out on a finals appearance, whereas the Chiefs, who won back to back titles in 2012 and 2013, have shown the most consistent success for New Zealand teams over the last five years and with young guns Aaron Cruden and Damian McKenzie firing, it’s hard to see this team playing many games without notching some impressive tries among the scoring. A very tough one to call, but put me down for the Chiefs to take this one out.

Crusaders:
15 David Havili, 14 Jone Macilai, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Replacement: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Johnny McNicholl

Chiefs:
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Alarvice, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Pauliasi Manu

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Mitchell Graham, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Maama Vaipulu, 20 Johan Bardoul, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Latu Vaeno

Waratahs versus Reds

Another derby to start off an enthralling first round of action, and what better way to test out my home-team the Reds but against Australia’s best performing Super team over the last two seasons, taking out the title in 2014.

The Waratahs enter 2016 with a new head coach, though Daryl Gibson is no stranger to these men and the players will already have a great working relationship with him.

This should do their quest for another title no harm, but the loss of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu, in particular, are big shoes to fill. They’ll take comfort in having a good mix of experience and youth in the pack, and despite some departures you’d still fancy their chances against the Reds.

It seems 2016 looms as more of a building year for the beleaguered Queenslanders. A solid forward pack and hard-working backs sprinkled here and there, but the lack of Super Rugby caps in the backline, particularly taking into account how many of those have been from off the bench, will show just how much they’ll miss the departing, experienced players.

Plenty of potential, and I’m not writing them off for causing some upsets and winning some impressive games, but a first up trip to NSW would be hoping for a bonus point at best.

Waratahs:
15 Israel Folau, 14 Matt Carraro, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 David Dennis, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Paddy Ryan

Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Jeremy Tilse, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Reece Robinson

Reds:
15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Curtis Browning, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Rob Simmons (c), 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 Ben Daley

Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ben Matwijow, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 Scott Gale, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Ayumu Goromaru

Force versus Rebels

Despite what might be thought when first inspecting the two teams in this fixture, I’m penciling this one in as a must watch. With plenty of new faces in the Force backline and a reshuffle in the Rebels pack, expect a much more entertaining and eventful affair than last year’s two ‘dead rubber’ type fixtures.

Force coach, Michael Foley, has already promised a revamped style of play focusing on using his outside jets, including Dane Haylett-Petty and new recruit Ben Tapuai, a lot more. If he can get the balance right between that and using his ruck-hungry loosies and workhorse locks, they’re in with a chance to repeat or improve upon their 2014 heroics.

The Rebels have imported well and have retained their smorgasbord of backrow options, all of which with quality to offer. How their backline holds up will be interesting, but if Mitch Inman and Sef Naivalu can repeat their performances of 2015, I think they’ll do just fine. All eyes fixed on the battle of the halves too, should be a great clash, with the Force just edging them out.

Rebels:
15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Sean McMahon (c), 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith

Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jonah Placid, 23 Tom English

Western Force:
1 Pek Cowan, 2 Nathan Charles, 3 Guy Millar, 4 Steve Mafi, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Brynard Stander, 7 Matt Hodgson, 8 Angus Cottrell, 9 Alby Mathewson, 10 Jono Lance, 11 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 13 Ben Tapuai, 14 Luke Morahan, 15 Dane Haylett-Petty.

Replacements: Heath Tessmann, Jermaine Ainsley, Chris Heiberg, Ross Haylett-Petty, Chris Alcock, Ian Prior, Peter Grant, Semisi Masirewa.

Kings versus Sharks

The last we saw of the Southern Kings was in the 2013 installment of Super Rugby where they replaced the Lions in the competition due to relegation.

Sadly, for all those who aren’t Sharks fans, the Kings have not improved since then. In fact, given their financial status and the list of names that appear in their squad, it seems quite miraculous they’re in the competition at all – yet here we are.

Round 1 and they get the opportunity to host a game against South Africa’s biggest underachievers of 2015. I sense this will be a year of marked improvement, though, as the Sharks look set to mount a return to their peak and hopefully push for a spot in the finals amid the toughest conference to call.

With two sets of newcomers in the Kings and the Jaguares, the unpredictable Lions and a reconfigured Sharks, this conference could really go any way.

The Sharks, who look depleted without Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the forward pack, have been bolstered by the unique playing style of Jacques Potgieter, Paul Jordaan and Willie le Roux and I think the Durban men will have enough to topple their new-kid-on-the-block compatriots.

Kings:
15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 JC Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 TBC, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Cyril-John Velleman, 21 Leighton Eksteen, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Charles Radebe

Sharks:
15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (c)

Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Dave McDuling, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Garth April, 23 S’bura Sithole

Stormers versus Bulls

What a way to end the round! Two heavyweights of the South African group and they happen to be pooled together in the same conference too.

In my opinion, these are the two teams from South Africa to fear the most and what better way to gauge their credentials than in a Round 1 clash after having watched 16 hours of televised rugby in the two days prior!

A few changes between the teams, the most upsetting being that the Stormers’ Damian de Allende has an injury, meaning he has to watch as his Springboks centre partner, Jesse Kriel, tears up the turf beneath him for the Bulls with his blistering pace and surprising strength.

The battle of the forward packs should prove quite a show, especially with Steven Kitshoff, Duane Vermuleun and Victor Matfield heading overseas, a few new faces will have to step up to fill the void left by these men.

Very hard to call, and not often do teams come away happy when visiting Newlands, so I think I’ll stick to the status quo and back the Stormers to take this one in a close encounter.

Stormers:
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Leolin Zas

Bulls:
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Nic de Jager, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Burger Odendaal

The last thing I want to touch on is what I’ll call The Thought of the Round. For Round 1, having asked around my local clubhouse and after reading a few websites’ articles, the biggest question seems to be:

“Can one of the new teams manage a first-up win in the first round of play, and if so, which team has the best chance?”

As it stands, none of the new teams will have an easy run for a first up win. The Kings play at home, but against a Sharks team filled with international talent and fresh from a victorious two-game tour of France, I’ll have to fancy the newcomers to lose this one rather comfortably.

The Sunwolves also play at home, up against the mixed-bag, hard-to-predict Lions team. Not a perfect set of trial matches to open up the season, but with a squad that largely resembles the successful group of 2015 players, I favour the strength of the Lions pack and direction of underrated Elton Jantjies to topple the Japanese newcomers.

That leaves us with the Jaguares. Playing away and against the Cheetahs means your defence has to be top notch or they will pile on try after try as they always seem to do. Thankfully for the Argentinians, they’re stacked full of internationals who know their way to the tryline and will have absolutely no hesitations in throwing some risky passes and dabbing through lucky kicks.

By no way a sure thing, but if any of the newcomers are to win a match I’d be backing the Jaguares to be that team in a fairly high-scoring encounter.