The Super Rugby draw for 2019 has been revealed and that means it's time to pick through each of the four Australian fixtures.
While the teams may take the season one week at a time - or so they say - there are undeniably both good and bad stretches for all teams.
Here's when your side should be looking to peak and when they must buckle up for a rough run.
REDS
Best stretch
After a brutal start to the season (see below) the Reds will have their chance to put some points on the board between rounds five and seven.
They'll travel to Tokyo to face the Sunwolves eager to avenge one of their worst losses of 2018 before hosting the Brumbies and Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
If they want to push for finals football in 2019 they must win all three of those games.
Worst run
It will be make or break time from the get go for the Reds in 2019.
They start their season with a trip to Dunedin to face the Highlanders before hosting the Crusaders and heading south to face the Waratahs at the SCG.
Emerge from that stretch with a 1-2 or 2-1 record and there will be hope for Brad Thorn's men.
Fail to cause an upset in any of those three starts and it might be another long season ahead for Reds fans.
WARATAHS
Best stretch
There is no standout run for the Tahs but they will have a chance to strike towards the back end of the season.
Between rounds 15 and 17 they will host the Jaguares at Western Sydney Stadium before heading south to face Melbourne, a return to western Sydney to face the Brumbies their next assignment.
None of those three teams are easy beats but a 2-1 or 3-0 run should be attainable for the reigning Australian Conference champs.
Worst run
A midseason rut isn't foreign territory for the Tahs and they'll have to be at their very best between rounds 11 and 13 in 2019.
They will face three South African teams - the Sharks (H), Bulls (A) and Lions (A) - in the space of three weeks and must pull at least one win from those matches to retain their place atop the Australian Conference.
BRUMBIES
Best stretch
The best four week run of the Brumbies' season precedes what will be a brutal month.
They'll need all the points they can get from clashes with the Blues (H), Bulls (H) and two showdowns with the Sunwolves.
Worst run
Between rounds eight and 11 the Brumbies will face four of the best teams in the competition.
A trip to Christchurch to face the Crusaders precedes clashes against the Lions (H), Stormers (A) and Jaguares (A).
That's as tough a run as any of the Australian teams will face and breaking square at 2-2 would be an enormous result for their finals hopes.
REBELS
Best stretch
If the best stocked roster is to make their first finals appearance they must make the most of a friendly three week stretch before a tough run home.
They'll host the Reds and Bulls in consecutive weeks before a trip to Tokyo to face the Sunwolves.
All three are must win matches considering the run home which awaits.
Worst run
Melbourne will host the Waratahs before travelling to Christchurch to face the Crusaders.
A showdown against the Chiefs will round out their regular season in very tough fashion.
To see the full list of Australian matches, click here.
