After keeping busy in the June break on international duty, training hard or playing friendly matches, all of our Investec Super Rugby teams are back in action this weekend with just three rounds of pool play remaining.
Injuries at the wrong end of the season have the Hurricanes calling on the depth in their squad to prepare for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby game in Canberra against the Brumbies.
Powerful in defending their status as Investec Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders survived a mid-season blip and injury frustrations to come back strongly and look genuine contenders to retain their title, especially if they can play at home.
Another season out of playoffs range and continuing inability to harness the latent talent on call to be able to secure wins in key games sums up the Blues' season.
Near on unbeatable at home with 12 straight wins at their Forsyth-Barr Stadium fortress, the Highlanders will need to be just as imposing away from home if they are to be a genuine title threat in 2018.
It’s been an up and down season for the two-time champion Chiefs, but despite injuries and some patchy form they’re still in the hunt with three rounds left in Investec Super Rugby 2018.
Unpredictable and exciting, the Hurricanes have been true to form this year but will need to arrest a two-match losing streak if they are to be genuine title contenders in 2018.