The Australian Super Rugby conference looks to be as strong as ever with some key additions to Melbourne Rebels, Queensland Reds and Western Force sure to have the Brumbies and defending champions, NSW Waratahs, peering over their shoulders. Read on as we rate preview each of the five sides, and try to uncover some worthy semi-finalists.

Brumbies

Last year: Semi-finalists; Second in Australia. Expected to struggle following the departure of Jake White, the Brumbies enjoyed another strong season in 2014 despite a wretched run with injury. Coach Stephen Larkham overhauled their game plan and added an attacking touch that saw them push eventual champions, the Waratahs, in a fine semi-final.

Best finish: Champions 2001, 2004

Fixtures: Reds (H), Chiefs (A), Rebels (A), Force (H), Reds (A), Waratahs (A), Cheetahs (H), Blues (A), Rebels (H), Highlanders (H), Waratahs (H), Stormers (A), Lions (A), Bulls (H), Force (A), Crusaders (H).

Squad: Nigel Ah-Wong, Allan Alaatatoa, Ben Alexander, Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Scott Fardy, Rodney Iona, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Les Makin, Josh Mann-Rea, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White.

Ins: Nigel Ah-Wong, James Dargaville, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Rodney Iona, Les Makin.

Outs: Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Jack Whetton, Tom McVerry, Lachlan McCaffrey, Ben Mowen, Conrad Hoffman, Lionel Cronje, Pat McCabe, Andrew Smith, Clyde Rathbone.

This year: The search for a new chief executive and concerns about the long-term viability of the club dominated off-season talk for the Brumbies to date. On field, the biggest question marks will surround skipper Stephen Moore and flanker David Pocock who are back on deck after knee surgery in 2014. The backline is loaded with talent and should the pack enjoy a little more luck with injury, the likes of Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight will do plenty of damage out wide.

Greg Growden's Verdict: In their favour is a smart coaching team and a tight team environment. As long as they cover the No.8 position adequately following the departure of Ben Mowen will go well.

Tip: Third (Semi-finalists)

Odds: $9 (Bet365)

Rebels

Last year: 15th.. A season that started so brightly quickly turned to disaster for the Rebels as new coach Tony McGahan failed to fix the side's defensives woes, and struggled to ignite their attack. They finished the year with just four wins; the only real highlight being a first-ever win over Queensland Reds.

Best finish: 12th (2013)

Fixtures: Crusaders (A), Waratahs (H), Brumbies (H), Force (A), Lions (H), Hurricanes (A), Reds (H), Brumbies (A), Waratahs (A), Chiefs H), Blues (H), Reds (A), Stormers (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (H), Force (H).

Squad: Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Burgess, Cam Crawford, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Tamata Ellison, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Scott Fuglistaller, Mike Harris, Bryce Hegarty, Scott Higginbotham, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki, Mitch Inman, Sam Jeffries, Luke Jones, Tom Kingston, Pat Leafa, Sean McMahon, Ben Meehan, Tim Metcher, Sefanaia Naivalu, Caderyn Neville, Jonah Placid, Jordy Reid, Tom Sexton, Dom Shipperley, Toby Smith, Nic Stirzaker, Lopeti Timani, Laurie Weeks, Telusa Veainu.

Ins: Cam Crawford, Keita Inagaki, Mike Harris, Tim Metcher, Sefanaia Naivalu, Jonah Placid, Dom Shipperley.

Outs: Eddie Aholelei, Hugh Pyle, Angus Roberts, Josh Holmes, Lalakai Foketi, Lachie Mitchell, Alex Rokobaro, Jason Woodward.

This year: The Rebels have made some sound acquisitions in a bid to improve their attack, recruiting Reds pair Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley as well as the talented Cam Crawford from NSW. Harris is likely to replace the departed Jason Woodward at fullback while rising star Jack Debreczeni will be looking for further opportunities after impressing at fly-half in the NRC. Look for skipper Scott Higginbotham to have another big season as he prepares to farewell Super Rugby in 2015.

Greg Growden's Verdict: They have been one of the better recruiters, and Mike Harris from the Reds will be a good acquisition. But they lack power in major spots to be anything more than an irritation.

Tip: Twelfth

Odds: $101 (Bet365)

Reds

Last year: 13th; Fourth in Australia. 2014 proved to be a horror year for the Reds as Richard Graham took charge from Ewen McKenzie. Star-studded halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper could do little playing behind a badly-beaten pack while, like the Brumbies, injuries ushered in the Super Rugby careers of a few youngsters who weren't quite ready for the step up in intensity.

Fixtures: Brumbies (A), Force (H), Highlanders (A), Waratahs (H), Brumbies (H), Lions (H), Rebels (A), Bulls (A), Cheetahs (A), Hurricanes (H), Crusaders (A), Rebels (H), Sharks (H), Force (A), Chiefs (H), Waratahs (A).

Squad: Curtis Browning, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Anthony Fainga'a, Saia Fainga'a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Karmichael Hunt, Samuela Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Campbell Magnay, David McDuling, James O'Connor, Ed O'Donoghue, Duncan Paia'aua, Eddie Quirk, Andrew Ready, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Adam Thomson, Hendrik Tui, Lachie Turner.

Ins: Lolo Fakaosilea, Karmichael Hunt, Campbell Magnay, James O'Connor, Duncan Paia'ua, Andrew Ready, Hendrik Tui.

Outs: Jono Owen, Albert Anae, Ben Lucas, Mike Harris, Aiden Toua, Dom Shipperley, Rod Davies, Jonah Placid.

This year: Exposed for a lack of depth both up front and out wide in 2014 the Reds have pulled off one of the great recruitment drives in Super Rugby history. In the backs, James O'Connor and Karmichael Hunt will offer greater variety in attack though the loss of Cooper for 12 weeks creates a problem at No.10. Adam Thomson will add experience and skill to the pack but it might be of little consequence without a suitable stopgap for Cooper.

Greg Growden's verdict: James O'Connor and Karmichael Hunt will boost their spirits, but squashing them immediately is the loss of Quade Cooper for so long. Cooper's injury will hit the Reds hard as there is no obvious alternate playmaker.

Tip: 10th

Odds: $15 (Bet365)

Waratahs

Last year: First in Australia; Champions. Nineteen long years of waiting finally came to an end as the Waratahs rode a nine-match winning streak to a maiden title. A willingness to run the ball from anywhere inspired some wonderful attacking rugby but it was the boot of Bernard Foley that saw them edge the Crusaders 33-32 in a dramatic final.

Fixtures: Force (H), Rebels (A), Reds (A), Highlanders (A), Brumbies (H), Blues (H), Stormers (H), Hurricanes (A), Rebels (H), Brumbies (A), Force (A), Sharks (H), Crusaders (H), Lions (A), Cheetahs (A), Reds (H).

Squad: Michael Ala'alatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Peter Betham, Matt Carraro, Mitchell Chapman, Dave Dennis, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Tala Gray, Stephen Hoiles, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Sekope Kepu, Jono Lance, Tolu Latu, Sam Lousi, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jacques Potgieter, Hugh Roach, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Will Skelton, Jeremy Tilse, Ben Volavola.

Ins: Sam Lousi

Outs: Kane Douglas, Alofa Alofa, Cam Crawford, Michael Hodge.

This year: They've gone from the hunters to the hunted while Michael Cheika is now balancing two jobs, yet the Waratahs appear well set for a title defence. The departure of Kane Douglas leaves the forward pack a little light but elsewhere the squad looks strong, while a favourable away draw in South Africa and New Zealand could help deliver vital points on the road.

Greg Growden's Verdict: It won't be as easy for the Waratahs this year with Kane Douglas overseas, adding more pressure on Will Skelton and Jacques Potgieter. They are up to it, and the Tahs should be close.

Tip: Fifth

Odds: $5 (Bet365)

Western Force

Last year: Eighth; third in Australia. The Force equalled their best ever season in 2014, recording nine wins to fall just short of a maiden play-offs appearance. Led brilliantly by skipper Matt Hodgson and a resurgent Ben McCalman, the Force surprised a host of critics but a lack of attacking threat in the backs - they managed just three four-try bonus-points - proved crucial.

Best finish: Eighth (2014)

Fixtures: Waratahs (A), Reds (A), Hurricanes (H), Brumbies (A), Rebels (H), BUlls (A), Sharks (A), Cheetahs (H), Stormers (H), Chiefs (A), Blues (A), Waratahs (H), Highlanders (H), Reds (H), Brumbies (H), Rebels (A).

Squad: Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Ben McCalman, Brynard Stander, Chris Alcock, Chris Heiberg, Francois van Wyk, Heath Tessman, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Charles, Oliver Hoskins, Pek Cowan, Robbie Abel, Rory Walton, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Wykes, Steve Mafi, Tetera Faulkner, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Akihito Yamada, Albert Nikoro, Alby Mathewson, Brad Lacey, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ian Prior, Kyle Godwin, Luke Burton, Luke Morahan, Marcel Brache, Mitch Scott, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Ryan Louwrens, Sias Ebersohn, Solomoni Rasolea, Tino Nemani, Zack Holmes.

Ins: Steve Mafi, Mitch Scott, Albert Nikoro, Akihito Yamada, Tino Nemani

Outs: Kieran Longbottom, Salesi Manu, Francois Van Wyk, Phoenix Battye, Hugh McMeniman, Justin Turner, Jayden Hayward, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Ed Stubbs, Dillyn Lleyds.

This year: The Force will again be a tough nut to crack at home but the loss of skipper Matt Hodgson until round eight is a significant blow. Coach Michael Foley has added Kiwis Albert Nikoro and Tino Nemani, as well as Japanese flyer Akihito Yamada, to his backline stocks; the trio aren't likely to ignite too many heart-attacks in opposition defensive units however. A Wallabies squad member last year, young gun Kyle Godwin must step up and take charge of the attack if the Force are to continue their climb up the ladder.

Greg Growden's verdict: Have lost a fair few, and are banking on Nick Cummins revitalising them. Like the Cheetahs, good luck!

Tip: 13th

Odds: $51 (Bet365)