2023 finish: 3rd
Projected 2024 finish: 3rd
Major gains: Halfback Harrrison Goddard (LA Gilitinis), centre Austin Anderson (Waikato).
Major losses: Halfback Nic White (Force), Pete Samu (Bordeaux), fullback Jesse Mogg (retired), centre Chris Feauai-Sautia (released).
Talking point: This season could be the making of halfback Ryan Lonergan, who gets to call all the shots following the departure of veteran Nic White to Perth, while also slated to take over as captain.
- Melbourne Rebels
2023 finish: 10th
Projected 2024 finish: 11th
Major gains: Prop Taniela Tupou (Reds), lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Northampton), halfback Jack Maunder (Exeter), Jake Strachan (Force), centre/winger Filipo Daugunu (Reds), centre Matt Proctor (Northampton), winger Darby Lancaster (sevens), fullback Jake Strachan (Force).
Major losses: Utility back Reece Hodge (Bayonne), lock Trevor Hosea (Tokyo Sungoliath), lock Matt Philip (Yokohama Canon Eagles), winger Monty Ioane (Lyon), centre Stacey Ili (Hawke's Bay), flanker Richard Hardwick (Ealing).
Talking point: With a beefed-up forward pack including Test prop Tupou and fresh speed out wide, can the Rebels perform with the financially-stricken club's future hanging in the balance?
- Queensland Reds
2023 finish: 8th
Projected 2024 finish: 6th
Major gains: Prop Alex Hodgman (Blues), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Ulster), Joe Brial (Canterbury).
Major losses: Prop Taniela Tupou (Rebels), centre/winger Filipo Daugunu (Rebels), prop Dane Zander (Los Angeles), Lock Luke Jones (retired).
Talking point: Replacing coach Brad Thorn, Les Kiss has brought in two ex-All Blacks to cover the loss of prop Taniela Tupou while young playmaker Tom Lynagh should flourish with a season under his belt.
- NSW Waratahs
2023 finish: 6th
Projected 2024 finish: 10th
Major gains: Prop Tom Ross (Brumbies), prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer (La Rochelle), lock Miles Amatosero (Clermont), flanker Mesu Kunavula (Brive), back-rower Fergus Lee-Warner (Bath).
Major losses: Flanker Michael Hooper (sevens), five-eighth Ben Donaldson (Force), prop Nephi Leatigaga (Dax), back-rower Will Harris (Force), halfback Harrison Goddard (Brumbies), winger Nemani Nadolo (retired).
Talking point: The Waratahs have made the quarter-finals the past two seasons but coach Darren Coleman has reportedly being given a four-round deadline to show they are capable of a top-four berth.
- Western Force
2023 finish: 10th
Projected 2024 finish: 7th
Major gains: Halfback Nic White (Brumbies), five-eighth Ben Donaldson (Waratahs), back-rower Will Harris (Waratahs), winger Harry Potter (Leicester), prop Atu Moli (Chiefs), lock Tom Franklin (Taranaki).
Major losses: Prop Tom Robertson (sabbatical), hooker Folau Fainga'a (Clermont), lock Jeremy Thrush (retired), back-rower Isi Naisarani (released), halfback Gareth Simpson (Saracens), five-eighth Bryce Hegarty (Red Hurricanes Osaka), fullback Jake Strachan (Rebels).
Talking point: Will the addition of Wallabies playmakers Ben Donaldson and Nic White be the extra ingredient that will see the cashed-up Force challenge the competition big guns?
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