The Western Force are out to make a statement in 2022 after their historic last season.
Grabbing their first Super Rugby win in nearly 1300 days, the team would go on an incredible run to their first finals in Super Rugby AU, headlined by a round ten win over eventual champs Reds.
They were then a conversion away from beating the Chiefs to start Trans-Tasman before narrow defeats to the Crusaders, Blues and Highlanders showed they can compete with the best of the Kiwis sides.
With this in mind, Rugby.com.au looks at the five key talking points for the Western Force heading into 2022.
1.Time to build
After showing they can compete with their Australian and Kiwi counterparts, the Force have made it clear that's not good enough, they need wins.
Looking at Trans-Tasman on its own, you could make a fair argument they were near the form Australian side and they need to build from this
Further additions to the squad will have the club confident of ending the domestic portion of Pacific in finals contention, needing wins over Kiwi opposition to likely cement their place
Under Tim Sampson and a revamp coaching staff, the Force have the tools and foundations to loom as a real danger side in 2022.
2. Rodda return
In terms of new singings not named Michael Hooper, the Western Force signing Izack Rodda might be the biggest one for the Australian sides for 2022.
Rodda showed his class for the Wallabies and will be a major boost for a second-row department that added Wallaby Sitaleki Timani midway through 2021.
Adding Rodda to a tight five which includes Wallabies Tom Robertson and Feleti Kaitu'u as well as Argentina's Santiago Medrano will give them some serious power at set-piece time and looms as a huge point of difference for the Force.
Also, it just adds a bit more drama to their round three match against the Reds, the first time he faces Brad Thorn and the Queenslanders since his departure.
3. Chance to shine
After being given limited time to recruit for their return to Super Rugby, the Force looked to the nation's capital for reinforcements in 2022, signing a mob of Brumbies.
The group are headlined by playmakers Reesjan Pasitoa and Bayley Kuenzle, with Pasitoa returning home to Western Australia after being signed straight from school.
Both players have found themselves stuck behind the likes of Noah Lolesio, Irae Simone and Len Ikitau so it will be interesting to see how they look and develop with a greater opportunity to start.
It also sets up a solid combination to build for the future with the return of Issak Fines-Leleiwasa to the Force, who will compete with Ian Prior and Michael McDonald.
4. Feleti firms for hooker
Feleti Kaitu'u was one of many hookers trialled and tested by Dave Rennie in the Wallabies.
Whilst he only featured in just 53 minutes across his three games, Kaitu'u certainly has the potential to lock down a more consistent spot in a strong forward pack.
The 26-year-old provides a different element at hooker and seems to have the skills Rennie is looking for in the position, which he'll have a prime opportunity to showcase as part of a dominant Force pack.
5. The hidden weapon
Manasa Mataele genunialy could be the most under-valued signing in Super Rugby.
Mataele started just three times for the Crusaders in 2021, stuck behind World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Will Jordan and George Bridge.
He showed what he was capable of when facing his new side in June, bursting away to latch onto a Braydon Ennor grubber.
The Fijian International adds another element to the Force's attack and will be a perfect replacement for Jordan Olowofela, with the breakout star's returning home after his loan spell.
