With All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith having severed his connection with New Zealand and fellow All Black and Chief Brad Weber also overseas, there is more scope for younger halfbacks to push their claims for higher honours than for several seasons.
And each Chief's halfback will be keen to build significant combinations with first five-eighths Damian McKenzie.
Ratima, 22, said it was a case for the halfbacks to find their way through the issue.
"I remember Brad said in an interview that he had played with him for eight or 10 years and he still didn't know what Damian was going to do. You just adapt and try to react whatever he calls because he makes the magic happen."
But Ratima's immediate goal is more pressing. He is returning to pre-season training, having recovered from a high-ankle sprain that kept him off his feet for eight weeks.
"I've just been trying to get that right, and the body right, for pre-season training. They're an annoying type of injury, I couldn't get out and do any running. I've been stuck on the bike for the last eight weeks. It's been good to start running again."
He's hopeful he's on track to tick all the required boxes before Christmas, allowing him to return after the break to get stuck into the pre-season build-up.
Having been involved with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific since the start of the 2022 campaign, he knows how important it is to be in a competitive place when the season kicks off in February.
The strength of halfback numbers in the Chiefs region means it is a constant battle to impress the selectors to claim at least a place in the match day 23 and a starting place at best.
And if he thought any relief might be on the horizon with the departure of Weber, the signing of former All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi put paid to that.
The pair and Xavier Roe form a quality trio to ensure the pressure is on for places in the side.
But he acknowledges the value of having that competition.
"I'm looking forward to the year, putting my best foot forward and competing at training, and let the coaches do their job."
The King Country-born Ratima said Super Rugby was enjoyable with the chances to be part of the squad and have some perks in travelling to Australia to play.
"Everyone makes you feel welcome, so these last two years have been awesome to be part of."
While he has played internationally with the New Zealand Under-20s, the New Zealand MΔori Under-20s and the NZ Secondary Schools Sevens, getting to Ireland and England with the New Zealand XV in 2022 has been a boost.
"It was my first time going away with a New Zealand side, and I enjoyed being around the high-performance players to learn from them. Being around TJ [Perenara] and Cam [Roigard] was there as well, it was awesome to be in that environment and get a taste of what it is like."
Roigard, who has featured prominently as an opponent from Counties Manukau during their age-group years, has provided an example of the opportunities ahead for the likes of Ratima, and he had set a template for pushing for higher honours.
Ratima has been compared to Perenara and former All Black and Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow in his playing style. He said he kept an eye on Perenara when younger, but being a Chiefs supporter, he looked up to and saw Barlow play more often.
Barlow had taken up a position in France before Ratima emerged with the Chiefs, but whenever Barlow was back, he dropped into the Chiefs. Ratima enjoyed talking to him and picking up any gold nuggets he dropped off in halfback play.
Being a traditional post-World Cup season in 2024, Ratima said he was excited to see what younger players sitting behind those departing players can produce when they get their chances.
"I'm sure they're ready to go and rearing to get the opportunity to play good minutes."
