Please note this is Red Beards opinion not Mike Crons!

Chiefs:  May (LH, trying to be a TH but not ready), White (TH), McGougan (TH) plus one; probably Savage (LH) certainly on current form.
White desperately needed back on board (no AirNZ Cup though), Bam Bam May in great form, will be a new signing for Waikato next year and a great acquisition longterm for the franchise (no more dumb ass stompings though hopefully).  The Bay props have impressed, particularly McGougan for me, looks like he could develop into a real rock.  Can Savage convert ANZ Cup form to S14 and where does this leave deMelmanche?  Hopefully as a specialist hooker in the squad alongside Pareanga.  May will be the TH/LH cover although his number three shirt still has L Plates firmly sewn in.  Leamalu was a Chief briefly last year, all I can say is that they must have been really short!

Hurricanes:   Schwalger (LH), Tialata (TH/LH), Fairbrother (TH) and probably Ellison (LH).
The Canes seem pretty settled here, all four props are liked by the selectors and all from the one province!  Also in the franchise I think Taumalolo and Polson are playing good footy, should end up in the draft.  If I was in charge of the Canes I would encourage a guy like Jacob Ellison to switch provinces within the franchise so he could get 80m minutes under his belt every week.

Crusaders:  Crockett (LH), Ben Franks (TH) plus two required (probably Owen Franks plus another).
Big losses in Yoda and the stamp collector, both strong tightheads.  Great opportunities for two young props in this franchise to make their mark.  The Crusaders will be light on experience on the TH sides and it takes time to develop.  Franks involvement this season with the AB setup indicates he may be viewed the next cab off the rank after Afoa and Tialata.

Highlanders:  MacIntosh (LH) then daylight, (probably Cameron, Nolan and King).
Big question for me is will Clint Newlands get a recall after missing the entire ANZ Cup?  Cameron and King are both journeymen at best, Nolan has looked solid in his first year back but the Otago pack has hardly scared the bejesus out of anyone has it now?  They need some hired muscle from the draft, but then again they really need some players prepared to become long term Southern Men.  Highlanders really need Newland to partner Whopper to anchor  a big scrummage, giving those goofy backs no excuses at all for all the pill they squander off this crucial set piece.