The Melbourne Rebels say there’s no ideal time to face the Crusaders despite the teams heading into their Super Rugby opening round clash in contrasting form.

While the Rebels have won both of their pre-season matches the Crusaders have lost all three of theirs.

But with the likes of All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw and five-eighth Dan Carter called into the squad, Melbourne know the seven-time champions will be tough to crack.

Traditionally slow starters the Crusaders stormed home to lose to the Waratahs by a point in last year’s final with Rebels coach Tony McGahan well aware of their class.

“They’re a side who has played exceptionally well over a long period of time so I don’t know whether getting them first round is a good time or not,” McGahan said.

“We’ve tracked them on the trials and they’ve played some really good rugby and they’ve got a number of quality players who weren’t involved there.”

Melbourne, who finished last in 2014, have added incentive to open with a win – still trying after four seasons to tick off their first victory outside of Australia.

McGahan said it was one of their 2015 targets, while also focusing on turning close losses into wins.

“We need to make sure that we score some points,” he said.

“We lost six games by six to seven points last year so if we can add five or six points in attack and shave off two or three in defence … we’ll be able to turn some of those close results into victories.”

Melbourne will have a number of new faces in the line-up after recruiting Reds utility Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley among others.

Harris is likely to start at fullback, with youngster Jack Debreczeni given first crack at five-eighth.

Shipperley and Wallaby training squad member Tom English will provide some genuine strike-power on the wings.

Scott Higginbotham, who will share the captaincy duties this season with flanker Scott Fuglistaller, said the competition for positions was the biggest difference in the squad.

“Back-row we’ve got six or seven blokes who are more than worthy of a start, second-row and front-row we’ve got a lot more depth,” Higginbotham said.

“In the backs we’ve had some great signings and our outside back talent is through the roof.”