Ahead of the opening weekend of the 2016 National Rugby Championship, all eight captains were asked who they thought the favourites were this season: Paul Asquith (Western Sydney Rams) "Brisbane City would have to be favourites. They've got a strong outfit with a lot of familiar faces. "Melbourne will be tough to beat as well. They have been disappointed with their last two finishes and have named a really strong side for round one with lots of depth." Sam Carter (Canberra Vikings) “It’s got to be Brisbane City, doesn’t it? Back to back Champions, and they’ve got most of their squad back, so I’d think they’d have to be the odds-on favourite this year.” Sam Talakai (Brisbane City) “I actually think we all start pretty even this season. Other teams will have a bit more depth this year, and that should bring the standard up. It’ll be pretty even across the park, in my opinion.     Matt Lucas (Sydney Rays) “I think it’s going to be hard to go pas