Do you smell that? Freshly painted field lines, Dencorub burning flesh, and what can only be described as the scent of fear wafting from our southern hemisphere neighbours. It’s Super Rugby season.

Now the dust has settled following the 2011 Rugby World Cup, I see no better time to reignite the perennial ‘greatest side of the professional era’ debate.

This is the NSW Waratahs’ first season without their inspirational, some might say dictatorial leader of the past 5 seasons. Waugh racked up 134 caps for the Waratahs, 56 as captain.

The four-year cycle which started in 2007 has ended with the 2011 Rugby World Cup and a new one is about to start with the biggest rugby ‘championship’ on the planet. Yes, that’s Super Rugby.