The Queensland Reds will be looking to build off their incredible 2021 campaign as they loom as one of the teams to beat in 2022.
They ended a ten-year title drought during Super Rugby AU in a GOTY-candidate against the Brumbies after an 84th minute James O'Connor try.
Whilst they struggled to start Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, a dominant first half powered them to victory against Aotearoa runners-up Chiefs before defeats to the Hurricanes and Blues to round out the year.
As Super Rugby returns to its usual format, Brad Thorn's men will feel confident they can match it with the best if they can recapture the form that saw them near-flawless through Super Rugby AU.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au looks at the five key talking points for the Reds heading into 2022.
1.Delivering against the Kiwi teams
The Reds wowed crowds during Super Rugby AU as their expansive style of play saw them dominant all sides not coached by Dan McKellar.
However, they really seemed to suffer a rapid title hangover, forced to back it immediately against the Highlanders as they conceded inside 40 seconds.
Whilst Thorn took the chance to rest players, a thumping defeat against the Crusaders showed they still need to find plenty of improvements.
Given the nature of celebrations, it's easy to put their Trans-Tasman form down to potentially peaking in May, however, there will be no such excuses this season.
2. The fullback conundrum
Looking at the Reds squad, the fullback position seems to be the main point of contention heading into the season.
Jock Campbell looms as the safest option and is one of the most underrated players in Australian Rugby, however, found himself on the wing with Bryce Hegarty moved to the back.
With Hegarty departing to Leicester, it looms as a battle of three with Campbell looking to fend off Jordan Petaia and young gun Mac Grealy.
Petaia's move to fullback has been floated for a while now at club and national level so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him start the year there with the ever-reliable Campbell slotted on the wing.
3. Rested Wallabies resurge
Dave Rennie made plenty of headlines after his decision to rest a number of players for the Spring Tour, headlined by Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
Wilson looms as a number eight for the future, however, finds himself in an awkward position when it comes to the Wallabies set-up. The incredible form of Rob Valetini has seen him favoured to start, with Pete Samu's versatility leaving the 22-year-old as a start or sit prospect.
Meanwhile, the gamble with McReight ultimately came back to haunt Rennie with the Reds young gun missing out on a chance to start against Wales with Michael Hooper succumbing to injury.
With both players unable to lock down a permanent spot in the Wallabies, a strong start to the season for the pair will give the selectors plenty of headaches ahead of England.
4. Unleash Suli
Suliasi Vunivalu's first year in the sport was significantly hampered by injuries.
It kept the former Storm flyer out of the Super Rugby AU finals before making a barnstorming return during Trans-Tasman, scoring four tries in three games.
Another hamstring injury kept him out of Wallaby contention for the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour, left at home to ensure his fitness for Super Rugby Pacific.
A strong 2022 season will have Vunivalu firmly in line to make his Wallabies debut, looking to compete to partner Andrew Kellaway with Marika Koroibete heading to Japan.
5. Front row force
The Reds have one of the most exciting front-rows in Super Rugby and will need them to fire if they wish to play on the front foot, allowing the likes of McDermott, O'Connor and Paisami to shine.
Taniela Tupou is the main man at tight-head, needing another strong Super Rugby season to firmly establish himself as the premier prop over Allan Alaalatoa.
Alex Mafi is the forgotten man at hooker and with Brandon Paenga-Amosa heading to France, he could have an unobstructed run at the starting role in both maroon and potentially gold.
Rounding out the front-row is Feao Fotuaika, with the young loose-head firmly on selector's radars as he was brought into Wallabies camp before the French series.
With Rennie seemingly favouring combinations in the past, a dominant showing, in particular against some of the Kiwis teams, could see all three named for the Wallabies sometime in 2022.
