Hard to see a NZ team picking it up this year, they appear to be at their poorest for a while. The 'Saders seem to be going through a dry patch scores wise with key players out and an obvious transitionary period looming on the horizon. The Highlanders are doing better than previous years in a way, which arguably isn't hard. The Chiefs appear to be stuttering to repeat their feats of the last two years but should still qualify in first. The Aussie teams seem to be doing better than previous years, all of the teams seem more ambitious with the 'Tahs and Brumbies in particular playing the best. One of these two could easily pip this wide open championship. The SA teams have all gone topsy turvy with the Bulls and Stormers absolutely woeful this year. The Lions somehow are one of the standout teams this year, maybe being dropped last year brought the best out of them. The Sharks look like the form side of the championship and will be clear favourites given the lack of real competition this year. Its probably fair to say its theirs to lose given the first six or seven rounds so far. I'd go for Sharks to win with any one of Tahs/Chiefs/Brumbies as dark horses.

Shorks or Brumbies, depending on who finishes top and has home advantage

Same as I say every year, C'mon the Tahs.

Brumbies