At a glance

David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (c), Luke Romano, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett, Billy Marmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

Charlie Ngatai (cc), Shaun Stevenson, Anton Lienert-brown, Johnny Fa’auli, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian Mckenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane (cc), Mitchell Brown, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Liam Polwart, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avo, Liam Messam, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty Mckenzie, Sean Wainui.

7.35pm coach Leon Macdonald severing his ties with the club and returning to work fulltime for Tasman, the retention of Brad Mooar and addition of former Irish international Ronan O’gara means there is no excuse for the attack to be conservative.

Given what they achieved last year, being cautious with the ball won’t be encouraged.

‘‘We were lucky we got a bit of continuity last year in regards to our playing structure,’’ Robertson noted. ‘‘It was a big change around our defensive structure, and our attacking structure was different from years gone by. We have added to it on both sides of the ball – the continuity and momentum we have had from last year is important.’’

But their 2017 success won’t automatically translate into an easy run. If anything it will be more difficult. Everyone will have them lined up in their crosshairs, and their scalps will be highly prized. That’s no news to Robertson.

‘‘We have got to be better, everyone catches up and everyone knows how we play – a lot our strengths and places to exploit us. During the off-season it was our whole focus about maximising who we are ... and being better individuals.’’