Justin Marshall: Strengths and weaknesses of NZ teams

Keep Richie McCaw on the field and the Crusaders will go a long way towards their long-awaited eighth title. Photo / Getty Images

Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.

BLUES

Squad strength
The Blues look a slightly stronger squad this year, with a better mix in the loosies. Culum Retallick brings a nice edge to the tight five and they have a solid forward pack. They lose nothing in replacing Piri Weepu with Jimmy Cowan. They have gone with a Francis Saili-George Moala centre pairing for the opener, but this would be the one area of the squad that I have concerns over - there doesn't appear to be any natural centre pairing, which is enormously important to the functioning of the backline.

Key players
Forward: This is a massive year for Stephen Luatua. After a great rookie year he went back a couple of notches last year. It is crucial he takes some of the pressure off Jerome Kaino in terms of bringing physicality and carrying the ball. If he does that we are all in for some entertainment and the ABs selectors will need to take notice.
Back: Whoever they pick at first-five - it's Ihaia West for the opener - needs to get that backline functioning smoothly and command the gameplan. Whoever it is Bowden, Hicky or West this is a crucial position to be dominated by someone.

Style
They'll use their grunt up front. The front-row is experienced and powerful, so expect them to use a solid set-piece as a platform to utilise the outside channels.

Key to success
Consistency. It's simple. We know Eden Park is a fortress for them, but they need to be able to string wins together and to win consistently on the road. If they can do that, it goes without saying they will be challenging for a place in the top six. In recent years, they've become too much like the Hurricanes - great or bad with nothing in between.

CHIEFS

Squad strength

Again, the Chiefs look a better squad on balance than last year, but there is a lot of pressure on Augustine Pulu with the absence of Tawera Kerr-Barlow. he's a good player, but he's going to get tired and he's going to get knocks. they have more firepower with the return of SBW, but i think they'll miss Gareth Anscombe. He wasn't just a good goalkicker and back-up to Aaron Cruden, but a good all-round player. He will be missed and someone needs to fill that void..

Key players
Forward: If you look at the history of New Zealand rugby, a skilful, powerful, ball-playing No 8 has been a vital part of the weaponry. For me, Liam Squire needs to step evolve his game and not just be a raw power type of player. That will allow Liam Messam and Sam Cane to do their jobs at blind- and openside flanker respectively.
Back: With the likes of Cruden and SBW, the Chiefs will have no problems holding defenders, but they sometimes have trouble making the most of the space they create. The addition of Hosea Gear will therefore be fascinating. If he can return to All Black form where he was arguably the worlds best finisher the chiefs will be hard to contain.

Style
They will be direct. With Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam and SBW, they will play to the advantage line and look to win that battle.

Key to success
They've reached the point now where success for them means winning titles and they are certainly capable of it. to do so, they need to ratchet their defence back up to championship level. For me they dropped about 20-30 per cent in this area in 2014.

HURRICANES

Squad strength

Maybe slightly improved with the addition of Ma'a Nonu. For me they have a good starting XV, the match of anyone in the competition, but you need more than that. Injuries will kick in, tiredness will creep in and I don't believe the Hurricanes have the depth in their squad to compensate.

Key players
Forward: Ardie Savea has to have a big year. The Hurricanes have previously got good value out of the dependable Jack Lam, but they are a team that needs turnovers and they haven't had a championship-calibre fetcher for a long time. Savea needs to be their McCaw, Hooper or Pocock. If the Canes get turnovers, they will thrive especially outside.
Back: Nonu is back in his hometown and has, in TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Cory Jane and Julian Savea, a stunning array of talent around him. His addition could make that backline so dangerous if he brings his All Black game and attitude with him.

Style
Of the NZ teams, they have the least physical forward pack so they need to play the game with pace and width. In Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush and even Ben Franks, they have mobile, ball-playing forwards so that's what they should do. The Hurricanes are not going to win too many arm wrestles and they need to avoid getting into those types of games.

Key to success
They need to find their mojo, and do it quickly. Re-discover who they are and what they're about and try to get some momentum early.

CRUSADERS

Squad strength

They're always a good squad but this one might be vulnerable early with the absence of Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz, Sam Whitelock, Israel Dagg and Nemani Nadolo. If any squad has the ability to cover those sort of absences, it is this one.

Key players
Forward: I can already see the rolling of the eyes and the shaking of the head, but it can only be Richie McCaw. The simple fact is that when he's on the field, teams win - the stats on that back me up. keep him fit and, although the ABs might not like this, keep him on the field and the Crusaders go a long way towards their long-awaited eighth title.
Back: This is a massive campaign for Israel Dagg. When he's fit and firing I still rate him as the best fullback in the world, but he can't sit back and hope that his best form will kick in at some point during Super Rugby he needs to make it happen.

Style
They'll rely heavily on their pack. The powerful and skilful Sam Whitelock, Luke Roamno and Read will be used as ball-carriers and offloaders, not just as battering rams. this will be the platform from which they attack.

Key to success
Like the Chiefs, it will be the effectiveness of their defence. The Crusaders titles were won on the back of those teams absolutely loathing the thought of giving away tries. In recent times they have leaked tries far too easily for the coaches' liking. They need to get that unparalleled resilience back.

HIGHLANDERS

Squad strength

Of all the franchises, the Highlanders have made the best signings for what they are trying to achieve. The additions of rugged Dan Pryor, versatile Marty Banks and particularly the potential of Waisake Naholo look inspired. they made the top six last year and look even stronger now.

Key players
Forward: Time to step up Liam Coltman. The Highlanders have lacked a mobile, ball-playing hooker and Coltman looks best-placed to fill this void. Jamie Joseph needs him to complement his back-rowers so Coltman needs to start fulfilling the potential good judges saw in him a couple of years ago.
Back: Malakai Fekitoa ignited the Highlanders' season in 2014 and there's no reason he can't do that again. He had a wonderful ability to take the pressure of the Smiths - Aaron and Ben - and when his team needed something, Fekitoa often came up with a spectacular play. More please.

Style
The outside backs, with the likes of Ben Smith, Patrick Osborne, Buckman and Naholo, are where the southeners have game-breaking potential, so it is up to the rest of the team to engineer them overlaps and one-on-ones.

Key to success
For the Highlanders, their ability to reach the playoffs relies on them overcoming a rotten draw. They are stacked with home games early, so they don't want to be chasing spots from behind when they're on the road late in the season. Compounding matters, they get the dreaded first-round bye and then have to face the Crusaders, who would have batted themselves in during week one.