Highlanders
Do not expect too much to change in the Highlanders' approach this year. They have a bunch of hard-working forwards who will be physical in the tight, while Nasi Manu provides the only real ball-carrying go-forward. In the backs they have flair in abundance. Look for the back three to threaten on the counter, while also chasing and contesting kicks relentlessly. Malakai Fekitoa adds thrust through the midfield and poses a real danger, so expect to see the ball in his hands a fair bit. In closer there is danger too, with Aaron Smith being one of the most dangerous sniping halfbacks in the competition. They will attack from anywhere on the field when it is on, although Smith is also becoming a proficient tactical kicker and can exploit gaps behind the opposition defence.
Key areas
The scrum was exposed towards the end of last year and was ultimately the undoing of the team. This year it will need to be stronger. Their ability to finish teams off came into question a few too many times too, with many games being far closer than they should have been.
There is class right throughout this Crusaders team and they have the personnel to be even better than last year. Up front they are the complete package, boasting depth, physicality, mobility and a strong set-piece. Look for them to use a handful of forwards closer in to gain go-forward, while having the likes of Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock ranging wider to make use of their athleticism and skill sets. In the backs there is just as much talent.
The one criticism of their game early on last year was a lack of directness, but with Nemani Nadolo, Robbie Fruean, Kieran Fonotia and a continually improving Ryan Crotty, that should not be an issue. In close they have the players to pull the strings and out wide they have the men to finish off. They may start slow, but expect them to come right for the business end of the competition. With an Ellis-Carter pairing at nine-ten they will be methodical and clinical, typical of this franchise.
Key areas
Having so many international players is not always a good thing. With the World Cup this year, these men will be wanting to peak physically later in the year, which is not good news for the Crusaders. To win they will need their best players to be at a high-level and to be focused on the campaign at hand, without looking too far ahead to the World Cup.
On paper this may well be the most intimidating team in the competition. Consider the names in the backline: Perenara, Barrett, Nonu, Smith, Savea, Jane, Milner-Skudder. That is going to take some containing. The key link will be Nonu and whether he can provide the go-forward that makes him so dangerous. If he does, all of a sudden the outside backs will have more room to run at a defence that will be doing its share of scrambling. They can threaten around the fringes as well, while having the aerial skills and attacking ability to be deadly on the counter. Up front they are pretty good too.
Victor Vito and Dane Coles are two of the best ranging ball carriers in the business, both possessing strength and speed, while the locks will work hard and the rest will add physicality and impact. That is essentially all of the bases covered in terms of open play for the forwards and if they can lay a strong platform, that backline is going to be devastating. Expect an open game plan with the tight forwards providing targets in close and Nonu and the flankers crashing through the middle, before getting the ball in the hands of Savea, Jane and co.
Key areas
Nonu's form is of huge importance. At his best he attracts defenders and provides go-forward. At his worst he is predictable, allows the defence to spread out and can be a liability discipline-wise. Aside from that they will need to ensure their scrum is able to hold its own against the best teams to allow their backs to flourish.
The Chiefs bring another stacked team, although perhaps not quite as stacked as the ones which won back-to-back championships. Their flashy backline catches the eye initially, but their most potent threat comes in their steely forward pack. On defence they are relentless in close and have great line speed, organization and consistency, making their line so hard to breach. Expect Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane to lead from the front in this area. On attack they have a skilful forward pack who are a mix of workers and impact players, while their backline has no shortage of threats.
Aaron Cruden is key in pulling the strings and putting his players into gaps and his partnership with Sonny Bill Williams will be of great interest. In 2012 Williams ran great lines off the ball and used his offload at the right times to be one of the most threatening players around, but whether he is still capable of playing in this vein remains to be seen. They will likely look to attack through him through the middle and then get the ball wider to their outside backs in space.
Key areas
Their defensive line has a habit of not getting behind the hindmost foot, but often they get away with it. If the referees are on to this, the Chiefs tend to struggle. Whether Williams can return to his best is huge too. Two years is a long time and he was underwhelming in his stint in the game at the end of last year.
There is no doubting the ability in this Blues squad. They have a backline with no shortage of individual flair and will benefit from bringing the core group of last year's team back. It is the forwards that usually determine the outcome of the Blues season though. When they bring their physical game, they are tough to stop. They will be potent in the loose, with a well-balanced looseforward trio capable of playing to multiple styles, but their ability to be consistent in the tight will be telling. Jimmy Cowan adds valuable experience at the base and will be able to assist the playmakers in directing the game. In the backs expect creativity from the likes of Ihaia West and showings of individual flair through the likes of Charles Piutau, Frank Halai and Francis Saii.
Key areas
The front row looks pretty good on paper, but Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock seem to spend more time injured than not these days. Their experience is crucial in an otherwise young tight five that is not strongest at set-piece. Jerome Kaino's physicality will be key, as will Jimmy Cowan's direction in helping the young first five-eighths run the game. If one of West or Simon Hickey can kick on and become a director of play, the Blues would benefit greatly.
