Fri 8 Feb 2019 | 07:51
ONE WEEK TO GO: 'Raise The Stakes' video ushers in much anticipated Super Rugby season

The long wait is almost over as the 2019 Super Rugby season kicks off soon and this video should get you in the mood. Delivered from a Kiwi perspective, Cricket great Brendon McCullum reminds us that while "safe" is good, sometimes you need to raise the stakes.

Long known for it's attacking, entertaining rugby, this message reflects the overall attitude of the premier southern hemisphere domestic competition.

While the New Zealand conference has made things somewhat boring with their dominance in the past few years, there remain several intriguing storylines to follow throughout the competition.

For the Australian conference, the return of superstar Quade Cooper is one way the Rebels have decided to raise the stakes. After being cast aside by the Reds and languishing in obscurity, he makes his Super Rugby return with an eye towards a return to the Wallabies and World Cup glory. We finally get to see if he's still the ankle-breaker he once was.

Can the Lions finally break through the Crusaders? Do the Jaguares have what it takes to go deep into the playoffs? Can the Sunwolves keep their place in the comp? We'll begin to see answers in just one more week.

If you're a fan of rugby, this is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year with both the Six Nations and Super Rugby aligning just long enough for a good blend of Northern and Southern hemisphere rugby.

2019 Super Rugby format:

Credit: All Blacks/SUPER RUGBY

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