FIVE REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT SUPER RUGBY IN 2019:
* 1. AUSSIE TEAMS ARE ON THE UP:
While only the NSW Waratahs cracked the 2018 Super Rugby finals, numbers suggest Australian teams have definitely improved.
Collectively, the Aussie teams won 29 of a possible 64 games last season - for a win percentage of 45.3 with every side bringing better returns. That's dramatically up from the woeful return of 27 per cent from the five Australian teams in 2017.
And Australian teams improved their overall return against overseas teams from 12 per cent to 42.5 - the highest figure since 2014.
* 2. A SEASON OF REDEMPTION:
Everyone loves a story of redemption and there are a couple of good ones in the Australian Super Rugby teams. Firstly, Karmichael Hunt, who has grabbed a career lifeline at the Waratahs. Banished from Queensland in 2018 under new coach Brad Thorn after his second drug-related incident, Hunt says he knows it's his final chance.
Another Queensland discard Quade Cooper is also looking to reignite his international career with the Melbourne Rebels. Reuniting with his long-time halves partner Will Genia, it's now or never for Cooper.
James Slipper is also hopeful of returning to the Wallabies for the World Cup after enduring a horror 2018 when he twice tested positive to cocaine and battled injury and depression. Now at the Brumbies, Slipper is working hard to win back fans.
* 3. THE KIWI BATTLE:
Three wins over New Zealand rugby rivals is hardly news to shout about but it's better than the big, fat zero Australian teams had in 2017. Those three wins from 20 trans-Tasman matches is the best haul for Aussies since 2015.
NSW broke the two-year 40-game drought against Kiwi teams with a win against the Highlanders and only the Reds finished 2018 without a victory over a New Zealand foe.
The Rebels in particular will be eager to sink their teeth into the New Zealanders after they blew a 14-point lead in their final-round clash with the Highlanders which cost them a maiden finals berth.
* 4. THE WORLD CUP:
It's hard to look past the sport's glittering prize - the World Cup - from September to November in Japan.
Defending champions New Zealand will start favourites with the sixth-ranked Aussies given little chance.
But that won't stop players pushing their claims for selection from round one. Very few in the Wallabies' squad are certainties so there's plenty on the line in their Super Rugby performances.
* 5. FAREWELL TO SOME FAVOURITES:
The end of the World Cup cycle means an exodus of big names chasing big dollars overseas and plenty have already announced their intentions.
Waratahs Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona will head to Premiership club London Irish, while locks, Rebel Adam Coleman and the Brumbies' Sam Carter, also are making plans.
It could also be the last hurrah for veterans David Pocock, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
