QUEENSLAND REDS IN: Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha), Cadeyrn Neville (Rebels), Eto Nabuli (NRL), Henry Taefu (NRC), Kane Douglas (Leinster), Ben Matwijow (Canterbury, NZ), Lukhan Tui (Randwick).
OUT: Quade Cooper (Toulon), Will Genia (Stade Francais), James Horwill (Harlequins), James Hanson (Rebels), Ben Tapuai (Force), Lachie Turner (Toulon), James O'Connor (Toulon), Adam Thomson (Rebels), Beau Robinson (Harlequins). 
Last year: 13th.
Coach: Richard Graham (3rd year).
Rate: Centre Samu Kerevi and Japanese Test backrower Hendrik Tui are all important as big metre gainers. New halves Jake McIntyre and Nick Frisby have been backed all the way with time to click in the NRC and trials but this is a big step up for a rookie pairing. Much improved off-field staff with backs boss Matt O'Connor.
Hate: Speculation about Richard Graham's future is a fan turn-off. Crystal ball: Six wins and 11th with a lesser line-up than last year would be progress.
Tip: 11th. UBET: $41.
NSW WARATAHS IN: Zac Guildford (Clermont), Reece Robinson (NRL), Brad Wilkin (Aust 7s), Angus Ta'avo (Blues), Bryce Hegarty (Toyota).
OUT: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Bordeaux), Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux), Peter Betham (Leicester), Jono Lance (Force), Brendan McKibbin (London Irish), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Glasgow), Jacques Potgieter (Sharks), Mitch Chapman (ret), Stephen Hoiles (ret).
Last year: 3rd.
Coach: Daryl Gibson (1st year).
Rate: Israel Folau will be fresh and firing after his enforced lay-off for ankle surgery. Michael Hooper has an incredible engine for work. Wallabies aplenty, settled team and attacking ideas.
Hate: Have turned the interstate series into one-way traffic with 54-10 scoreline across the two games last year.
Crystal ball: Loose cannon Zac Guildford to strike trouble ... again. Tip: 4th. UBET: $8.
ACT BRUMBIES IN: Tomas Cubelli (Argentina), Aidan Toua (Agen), Michael Wells (Aust 7s), Andrew Smith (Montpellier), Nick Jooste (Perth).
OUT: Jesse Mogg (Montpellier), Nic White (Montpellier), RP Smith (Stormers), Fotu Auelua (released).
Last year: 6th.
Coach: Steve Larkham (3rd year).
Rate: Strong core around the top trio of David Pocock, Stephen Moore and Matt Toomua. Steve Larkham is a coach his players want to play for. Best import pick-up of any Aussie team with sparky running half Tomas Cubelli.
Hate: Nearly men. Three straight visits to the playoffs and a golden period may just come up short again.
Crystal ball: The Pocock saga ... off to England to study next year. Tip: 2nd. UBET: $7.50.
MELBOURNE REBELS IN: James Hanson (Reds), Adam Thomson (Reds), Culum Retallick (Blues). OUT: Scott Higginbotham (NEC), Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais), Luke Burgess (Zebre, Italy), Cadeyrn Neville (Reds).
Last year: 10th.
Coach: Tony McGahan (3rd year).
Rate: McGahan has turned them into a team that stands for grit, feisty defence and home ground upsets. Hooker Hanson is a big gain and former All Black Thomson keeps the backrow classy. Club-high seven wins last year.
Hate: It's scheduling stupidity for the Rebels to play three of their first four games on the road in the opening month when there is no AFL in opposition.
Crystal ball: Redhaired halfback Nick Stirzaker to win first Wallabies call-up. Tip: 13th. UBET: $61.
WESTERN FORCE IN: Peter Grant (La Rochelle), Jono Lance (Waratahs), Ben Tapuai (Reds), Tom Sexton (Rebels), Richie Arnold (Qld Country). OUT: Nick Cummins (Coca-Cola, Jap), Sias Ebersohn (Cheetahs), Sam Wykes (Coca-Cola).
Last year: 15th.
Coach: Michael Foley (4th year).
Rate: The urgency to add speed and attack to last year's grinders. It is much needed after a competition-low 28 tries last season. South African flyhalf Peter Grant will not add pace but he is a shrewd playmaker and top goalkicker.
Hate: No meat for the absent Honey Badger so winger Luke Morahan needs to step up with a bundle of tries.
Crystal ball: No classic one-liners or anyone going off like a bag of cats without Nick Cummins.
Tip: 15th. UBET: $151.
TOMORROW: HOW THE OTHER TEAMS STACK UP