Rebels:
Ins: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor.
Outs: Greg Somerville, Sam Cordingley, Luke Rooney, Kevin O'Neill.
Strengths: Attack. The Rebels pulled off a major recruitment coup after poaching the two most potent attacking weapons in Australian rugby – Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor. And with former Wallabies Stirling Mortlock and Mark Gerrard also lurking out wide, the men from Melbourne now have themselves a serious backline that will trouble any side on their day.
Weaknesses: Defence. The Rebels conceded more points (570) than any other team in their maiden season. They leaked 93 points more than the next worst defenders - perennial battlers the Lions - and a whopping 231 points more than the sixth-placed Sharks.
X-Factor: Beale was a standout for the Waratahs last season and carried his form into the Test campaign, winning the John Eales medal for the first time. He can break a game open at any moment from full-back. O'Connor should finally get the chance to settle in his preferred position at inside centre after playing predominantly at five-eighth for the Force last season and on the wing for the Wallabies. As good a finisher as the 21-year-old is, he's an even better ball player and is desperate to prove it.
Predicted Australian Conference finish: 3rd. The only way is up for the Rebels who finished 5th in the Australian conference and 15th on the overall ladder last year. New coach Damian Hill will need a bit of luck with injuries, but if he can keep close to his full squad on the field the Rebels just may surprise a few pundits.
Brumbies:
Ins: Ben Mowen, Fotu Auelua, Tom Cox, Scott Fardy, Zack Holmes, Tevita Kuridrani, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jesse Mogg, Ben Mowen, Leon Power, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Joseph Tomane.
Outs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Francis Fainifo, Salesi Ma'afu, Patrick Phibbs, Julian Salvi, Tyrone Smith, Ed Stubbs, Josh Valentine.
Strengths: Jake White. The man who led South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007 has signed a four-year deal to coach the Brumbies. The respected mentor knows how to win but even he will need time to build the club back to its halcyon days. Club legends George Gregan and Stephen Larkham will also be around as part of the coaching team in 2012.
Weaknesses: Inexperience. The Brumbies lost 14 players at the end of last season, and more than half of them were current or former Test players.
X-Factor: With Giteau gone, young-gun Matt Toomua finally gets his chance to take control of the team and make the No.10 jumper his own. The 22-year-old has been touted as the next big thing for the past four seasons, but the time to deliver has arrived.
Predicted Australian Conference finish: 4th. One thing is certain, the Brumbies will compete every minute of every game in 2012 under White's rule. But sometimes effort is simply not enough.
Force:
Ins: Salesi Ma'afu, Napolioni Nalaga, Locky McCaffrey, Winston Stanley.
Outs: James O'Connor, Willie Ripia, Matt Dunning, Mitch Inman
Strengths: The engine room. The Force boast an all-Wallabies back-row of David Pocock, Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson. Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe, his rising second-row partner Sam Wykes, new recruit Salesi Ma'afu at tighthead prop and injured No.8 Richard Brown are also part of a formidable Force pack.
Weaknesses: The backline. The departure of