Crusaders: A slow-burn start or all fired-up?

Southern men need to shake off old habits and begin where they left off.

What happened last year?

Second, losing to the Waratahs in the Sydney final. Traditionally slow burners, the Crusaders slipped uncomfortably back into a familiar pattern. They lost their opening match at home to the Chiefs, let it slip painfully against the Blues at Eden Park, sneaked a win over the Stormers in Christchurch and did likewise against the Rebels in Melbourne before another shocker against the Hurricanes at a rapidly crumbling fortress. It was on their South Africa trip, where they beat the Lions and Cheetahs, that they really gelled, and they hung on for a gutsy 18-17 win over the Chiefs in their first game back in New Zealand. It was a turning point. They came home with a wet sail - defeat to the 14-man Sharks excepted - thumping the men from Durban in the semifinal before falling at the final hurdle.

Strengths and opportunities in 2015

A fit (so far) and engaged Dan Carter has been with them from the start of the year and will give them valuable experience and game sense early on. Luke Romano is back from his broken leg and will add steel to the second row alongside Sam Whitelock. Colin Slade is likely to play with freedom and confidence after his breakout All Blacks year in 2014. He will start at fullback in the first match against the Rebels tonight. Richie McCaw's workload will need to be managed carefully but he will be motivated to win a fifth personal title in what is likely to be his final year. Robbie Fruean could form a blockbusting partnership with the huge Nemani Nadolo, who scored 12 tries in his debut season.

Where might they be vulnerable?

Slow starts, muddled back play and disengaged All Blacks looking further down the track. They were cleaned up in the set piece in their final pre-season match against the Reds, but don't read too much into that. Carter will be an asset in directing the backs and keenly aware of the need for greater penetration in the backline. One great vulnerability is halfback, where they will be missing Andy Ellis until later in the season due to his Japan trip, plus Willi Heinz, who has a broken leg. Careful management of Israel Dagg will also be required. Dagg remains a big talent but must find another gear to be sure of a place in the All Blacks World Cup squad.

Which player will give them the X-factor?

Nadolo. A huge presence at the end of the backline but with great finesse in terms of his handling, the Crusaders would do well to get the ball to him at every opportunity. He will join the Crusaders in a few weeks due to his Japan commitments.

Where will they finish and why?

Finalists again. They have class and depth across their squad - apart from halfback (could Colin Slade play there when Israel Dagg returns?) - and their two round robin clashes against the Chiefs this year are likely to be monumental. The first is in round three in Hamilton. The draw isn't kind to them - they play the Bulls and Sharks in South Africa, and the Waratahs, Blues and Brumbies away in their final four matches, but they should still make the playoffs.