CRUSADERS

LOCATION: Christchurch, New Zealand

COACH: Todd Blackadder

2011 RESULT: 2nd

TEAM RUNDOWN: The seven-time champions will once again kick off 2012 as Super Rugby favourites but must do their best without superstars Dan Carter (groin) and Richie McCaw (foot) for the opening month or two. They showed in 2011 they have enough depth, speed and class to perform without the All Black duo and should do it again.

SQUAD: Richie McCaw (c), Nicholas Barrett, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock