Super Rugby 2013 team-by-team guide

The new Super Rugby season is almost upon us and the pressure is on the Chiefs to defend their title.

Team-by-team guides

Blues: The Auckland franchise have promised so much in recent years but failed to deliver. Much was expected from them last season after they reached the 2011 semi-finals (where they lost to the eventually champions, the Reds) and recruited well. Read more Brumbies: The Brumbies came agonisingly close to the play-offs last season but a home loss to the Blues in the final round proved costly. Read more Bulls: Having flattered to deceive for large parts of last season, the Bulls will be keen to set the record straight this time around. Read more Cheetahs: The Cheetahs were far more competitive last season than their 5-11 record suggests, picking up a staggering seven losing bonus points. Read more Chiefs: The defending champions face a real arm wrestle to defend their title this time around. Read more Crusaders: The Crusaders might be the most successful franchise in the history of Super Rugby, however it has be five years since they won the last of their seven titles. Read more Highlanders: The expectations at the Highlanders shot through the roof last season after a stellar start to the season saw them top the table. Read more Hurricanes: The fans of the Wellington franchise were left to rue their early season stumbles as the free-scoring outfit just missed out on the play-offs by two points. Read more Melbourne Rebels: The Rebels enter their third season of Super Rugby confident that this can be their breakthrough year. Read more Reds: The 2011 champions were another side to rue their early season troubles. A run of six wins in their final six games saw them gatecrash the play-offs. Read more Sharks: The Sharks won plenty of respect during their run to the final last season, however the clash with the Chiefs ultimately proved to be a game too far. Read more Southern Kings: It has been a long fight for the Southern Kings to secure their place in Super Rugby - but the biggest battle could be for them to stay there. Read more Stormers: For all intents and purposes, it looked like 2012 would be the year of the Stormers after they finished top of the table with an impressive 14-2 record. Read more Waratahs: For a variety of reasons, things just did not click for the Waratahs in 2012. On paper, everything seemed to be in place for a serious challenge - Michael Foley arrived as head coach, while the exciting Sarel Pretorius joined a squad packed full of experience. Read more Western Force: It is the dawn of a new era at the Force as they look to put last season's troubles behind them. Read more