A venture into the Pacific will offer Super Rugby something different this year. But the fortunes of the NSW Waratahs, after a historically poor 2021, will be pivotal as Australian rugby regroups for the 2023 World Cup.
The new era begins on Friday with the Fijian Drua's debut against the Waratahs at Parramatta's Commbank Stadium.
New Zealand-based Moana Pasifika have been invited to the party too, adding international flavour to a competition that's farewelled Japanese, South African and Argentinian opposition since COVID-19 halted play in early 2020.
The Queensland Reds have emerged as the domestic powerhouse since then, pipping the Brumbies in last year's final, while the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels have strengthened their squads after promising 2021 campaigns.
Drua and Pasifika flair will attract a new audience, with eyeballs assured on the product thanks to a broadcast deal that combines free-to-air and streaming service match coverage.
Rugby Australia will hope that product is up to scratch ahead of next year's World Cup, with the Waratahs' winless 2021 a sore point that needs addressing.
"Definitely, of course. NSW produces somewhere around 60 per cent of professional players in the country," new Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said when asked how crucial success at Daceyville was.
"If a flagship team is not doing well, it's not inspiring the next generation of kids to pick up the sport.
"The boys are well aware of that, Australian rugby is well aware of that, that we need the biggest province to do well.
"So we've taken that on board and hopefully we can turn it around."
NSW felt the loss of more than 1800 caps of Super Rugby experience in the two years preceding the 2021 season, losing to every Australian team before conceding 53 points on average in games against New Zealand rivals.
But one off-season under Coleman has provided a sunny outlook, with the impending return of captain Michael Hooper from Japan and emergence of Izaia Perese, Lachie Swinton and Angus Bell providing hope.
Three pre-season wins have come under Coleman, who has attempted to reconnect with his NSW club footy roots to rebuild the rugby stronghold.
Already there is talk of how far they can go.
"It's very cliche, so we won't get ahead of ourselves," said Coleman, who arrived back in NSW after guiding the LA Giltinis to the title in their first season of American Major League Rugby.
"But you never know; a winning feeling starts to bubble, momentum builds and you've only got to be in the playoffs.
"The playoffs is a complete knockout so whether we get in there eighth, or we get in there first, you've only got to win three games to win the championship from there.
"The first task is starting well this week, trying to get some wins together, win more than we lose, get into the playoffs and then see how we go then."
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STEPPING UP: Pasitoa to lead Force
WHAT ABILITY: Bell thrives on and off the field
