With the harbour bridge and opera house used as a spectacular backdrop the NSW Waratahs skipper joined the leaders of the four remaining Australian franchises – ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels – for a special promotional shoot.

It was only six months ago Dennis, who has family connections in Maitland and whose father John played rugby for the Blacks, was holding the same piece of silverware aloft around the state capital’s landmarks following a breakthrough title win.

On that occasion Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver predicted a local team would win the competition.

Pulver was proven correct when the Waratahs, also including Maitland junior Jeremy Tilse, delivered and this year the ARU boss has said three Australian sides will make the Super Rugby finals.

Australia has had two finalists on a few occasions, but Pulver’s optimism for 2015 is based on the performances of the five franchises last year and the quality of their recruiting for the coming campaign.

“2014 was the strongest year of Super rugby we’ve ever had, we won more games in 2014 than ever before,” Pulver said at the Australian Super season launch in Sydney yesterday.

“If you look through the five squads, there’s been some very interesting new players coming forward this year and I have no question they are all going to perform well again.

“I think the real prediction is that in a finals series where you only have six teams Australia will get three in the finals series this year and that would be a superb outcome.” 

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who also coaches the Waratahs, didn’t feel Pulver’s prediction would put added pressure on his defending champion side and the other Australian franchises.

“That’s the marketing department working overtime,” Cheika said with a chuckle.

All five Australian teams will play a trial match this weekend, with the season starting on February 13.

Maitland juniors Nic White (Brumbies), Luke Burgess (Rebels) and Patrick Dellit (Force) will also be in action.