Has Super Rugby’s most dominant dynasty lost its clout?
One of the glaring Kiwi question marks this season is whether coach Scott Robertson can eke a record fourth-straight title from his Crusaders following some heavyweight player departures.
Losing a posse of All Blacks greats would destabilise most teams but Robertson will back his methods and the culture he’s instilled.
On the road to their hat-trick of titles, the Crusaders have lost just five of 56 games and barely been threatened in nine knockout matches.
It’s why there was a genuine belief their charismatic coach would replace Steve Hansen as All Blacks coach.
Robertson didn’t hide his disappointment at missing out on the job to Ian Foster last month but says he’s motivated by the rebuilding project at the Crusaders.
Gone are All Blacks pack centurions Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks.
Under-rated flankers Matt Todd and Jordan Taufua have shifted offshore too, along with midfield veteran Ryan Crotty, although the backline still boasts some of New Zealand’s premier attackers in Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge and Sevu Reece.
Any signs of weakness under a reconstructed coaching staff and new skipper Scott Barrett will be closely scrutinised when they host the NSW Waratahs in round one.
The Chiefs loom as the biggest threat to the 10-time champions because of the Warren Gatland factor.
Gatland’s appointment after 12 years with Wales could lift the Chiefs to a new level or may backfire, given the contrasting dynamics between Super Rugby and the European top flight.
Lock Brodie Retallick is a mammoth loss to Japan but the Chiefs backs could thrive with the twin weapons of returning five-eighth Aaron Cruden and fit-again fullback Damian McKenzie.
The Hurricanes face a challenge to reach the final four for a sixth successive year.
Former assistant Jason Holland was fast-tracked to the head coach role last month when John Plumtree joined the All Blacks coaching staff.
Holland must somehow replace long-time star five-eighth Beauden Barrett, who has gone to the Blues.
And New Zealand’s premier player in 2019, flanker Ardie Savea, will miss most of the season with a knee injury.
Barrett won’t be sighted at the Blues until mid-April after being granted an extended sabbatical by NZ Rugby, not helping the Auckland-based strugglers in their bid to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2011.
Vacancies have opened up in the centres without Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu, with Test winger Rieko Ioane set to move infield.
The overhauled Highlanders have registered three successive quarter-final exits but may struggle to achieve better this year.
Their pack has been dismantled by departures while Ben Smith, arguably their greatest ever player, has joined the post-World Cup exodus.
Southern hopes could rest on the blossoming partnership between All Blacks No.9 Aaron Smith and promising five-eighth Josh Ioane.