Nick Verdier assesses the upcoming season and the issues that will help determine the title

The Hurricanes got the monkey off their backs in 2016 with a maiden Super Rugby title but TJ Perenara reckons all it did was put a bigger target on their heads for 2017.
With the new season kicking off on Thursday, and the Lions tour looming large, all eyes will be on the New Zealand Conference with arguably three, or even four, teams capable of going all the way.
As the reigning champions, the ‘Canes will be the scalp every team wants to claim and All Black scrumhalf Perenara hop...